Tony Pulis helped Eddie Howe go from teenage hopeful to Premier League boss
Eddie Howe has credited West Brom boss Tony Pulis with having a telling influence on his career almost 25 years after they first met at Bournemouth.
Pulis will be in the opposition dugout on Saturday when Howe's Cherries face West Brom at Dean Court, with Bournemouth looking for their first Premier League win of the season.
Howe was part of the Bournemouth youth squad when Pulis stepped up from being a player to manager at the club in 1992.
Now he admits the advice he received at a young age from Pulis stayed with him through his career.
Howe said: "He took me for a few sessions, I think when I was about 13, 14 years old, so he certainly had an impact on my football, without a doubt.
"I think it was more based towards fitness really and making sure I improved my fitness levels.
"His training sessions, even as a young guy, there was a fitness element then and I was surprised at the demands that were being put on me at that age.
"That may sound not a massive part of my career but fitness is everything. If you are not fit you cannot play so I have a huge respect for him."
Howe added: "He was so involved with the football club then as manager of Bournemouth in all aspects.
"He was at the centre of excellence, he was at youth-team games, he was taking the first team, he was almost everywhere and you can feel his presence around the club."
Pulis is poised to reach 1,000 games as a manager this season, with Gillingham, Stoke and Crystal Palace among his former clubs, and Howe is not surprised he has been so successful.
He said: "We have had a long association, we have known each other a long time and I have nothing but huge respect for him.
"He is a really good football man, he lives and breathes football. I think it is his biggest passion, you can see that when you speak to him and I owe him a great deal. My early career, a lot of that was down to him.
"He has always found a way to survive and at this level with the clubs he has managed, that is a huge achievement."
Jack Wilshere is expected to make his Bournemouth debut against the Baggies.
The England midfielder joined the Cherries on loan for the rest of the season from Arsenal at the end of August.
Bournemouth could be without Josh King after the 24-year-old suffered from a hamstring problem whilst away on international duty with Norway, while Howe said there were a number of internationals who were facing late fitness tests but did not disclose names.
Pulis, meanwhile, has continued his battle with the West Brom board by insisting the five players the club brought in during the transfer window were not the marquee signings he wanted.
Reports of a rift emerged last week following a transfer window which left Albion supporters and the Baggies boss underwhelmed and frustrated, and Pulis fanned the flames further on Friday morning.
Speculation about a falling-out behind the scenes came after a statement issued by new chairman John Williams, who sought to explain the club's transfer dealings, in which he said: "Our head coach Tony Pulis is very selective and particular about the players he recruits."
It followed news of the collapse, for "footballing reasons" according to Williams, of a club-record deal for a defensive midfielder who was understood to be Malaga's Ignacio Camacho.
That meant the only new players to arrive on deadline day were defender Allan Nyom and striker Hal Robson-Kanu - joining previous recruits Matty Phillips, club-record signing Nacer Chadli and Brendan Galloway.
Asked if he was happy with West Brom's business, Pulis said: "Obviously you're going to ask about the statement that the club made or what John said.
"The five players John (Williams) said I was happy with, they were not the marquee signings I wanted to bring in. And that's for all sorts of reasons, it's nobody's fault.
"To try and say they were the five I wanted, that's wrong. I've spoken to John about it and I think he accepts that."
Robson-Kanu will probably have to wait to make his West Brom debut as the trip comes too soon for the striker.
The Wales international, who came on as a late substitute for his country on Monday, is short of match fitness and Pulis reckons it will be between 10 days and two weeks before he is up to speed. However, Chadli could be involved.
Chris Brunt has resumed training following his serious knee injury but he is not expected to be available again until next month.
Source: PAR
