Eddie Howe: West Brom boss Tony Pulis 'taught me a lot about fitness'

Eddie Howe says he learnt a lot from Tony Pulis during the early years of his football career.

The Bournemouth manager praised the influence of Pulis, who began his managerial life at Dean Court when Howe was a teenage member of the club's youth team.

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The pair come face-to-face this weekend when West Brom travel to the south coast to face the Cherries - with Bournemouth seeking a first Premier League win of the season.

Howe said of the Baggies boss: "He took me for a few sessions, 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 had a fitness element even 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."

I was surprised at the demands that were being put on me at that age.

Pulis spent just over two years at Bournemouth, between 1992 and 1994, before taking in seven more clubs, en route to the Hawthorns.

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Howe added: "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.

"He has always found a way to survive and at this level with the clubs he has managed, that is a huge achievement."

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