Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Harry hoping Howe follows his lead
HARRY Redknapp is keen to see the current crop of Dean Court talent emulate his class of 87 and thinks Eddie Howe should hang around to nurture them. Redknapp piloted the club to the second tier of the Football League when he masterminded Cherries' Division Three title triumph 23 years ago. Like Howe, he cut his teeth at Dean Court, spending nine years in the hot-seat before moving on to manage in the top-flight with West Ham, Portsmouth, Southampton and Spurs. And while Redknapp lists Howe as one of the brightest prospects on the circuit, he also feels the 32-year-old should stay put for the time being at least. Howe rejected the overtures of Championship strugglers Peterborough earlier this season and is certain to have alerted other clubs following his achievements with Cherries. But speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo, Redknapp said: I thought it was a wise decision not going to Peterborough. He needs all the experience he can get and Bournemouth is a great grounding for him. It's a good club and a great opportunity. In my opinion, he needs to stay and learn the trade. I stayed for nine or 10 years and it was a great apprenticeship for me. I think he needs to have a good run before he thinks about moving. He's done a brilliant job in a short space of time and they have got every chance of winning promotion this season. It's going to be tight but I want to see them get out of that division. They are doing tremendously and we are all keeping our fingers crossed for them. Redknapp, who has again agreed to bring Spurs to Dean Court for a pre-season friendly, also believes is it too early to compare Howe's League Two promotion hopefuls with his title-winners from the glory days of the late 80s. That was a strong team with strong characters, he said. We had people like John Williams, Mark Newson, Trevor Aylott and Carl Richards, and Sean O'Driscoll and Tony Pulis have both gone on to become top managers. There was a lot of knowledge, know-how and experience in that team. All the players had a real understanding of the game. The current team is a younger team and, hopefully, they can be as successful as that team. Before the embargo was tightened, Eddie certainly brought in some good players. Big Fletch was an inspired signing. He knows the club inside-out and has certainly played his part. Brett Pitman is a goalscorer and a real handful. It's just been a shame that we haven't been able to loan them any players. I've got some good, young kids here whom I would love to have sent down to Eddie but it's impossible with the embargo. Both Eddie and Jason Tindall are doing a fantastic job and I'm delighted for them. Eddie Mitchell has come in and done well also. The club is heading in the right direction. Don't forget to join the Daily Echo reporting team for our up-to-the-minute matchday blog as Cherries continue their bid for promotion. Log on to bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport just before kick-off and either join in the fun by posting your comments or sit back and watch events unfold.