Mauricio Pochettino among very best, says Eddie Howe
Friday 21 October 2016 12:48, UK
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe acclaimed Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino as "up there with the very best" ahead of Saturday's lunchtime showdown.
Third-placed Spurs will move to the top of the Premier League if they claim victory at the Vitality Stadium, live on Sky Sports 1 HD and Sky Sports Mix from 11.30am, with leaders Manchester City and second-placed Arsenal playing later in the weekend.
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Dele Alli's last-minute equaliser at West Brom last Saturday ensured Tottenham remained the only unbeaten side in the Premier League and left Howe in no doubt over the credentials of Pochettino and his squad.
"They have an outstanding manager. He's up there with the very best. The way his teams play, they don't change," Howe said.
"The intensity they play at is very hard to play against, so add that with a very talented squad, they've got a real chance.
"They've got very talented players and it's very easy for the hugely talented guys to not have a very good work ethic, but that comes and is instilled by the manager that they really work and it's very difficult to play under their pressure.
"It's well documented at the moment with Jurgen Klopp and Pochettino, how their teams work, and I think that's full credit to them.
"So yeah, I'd like to think that we are trying to get to their level. I think they are one of the markers for us."
Bournemouth claimed an emphatic 6-1 home victory over Hull last Saturday and, though hoping for more of the same, Howe is aware of a testing set of fixtures ahead, starting with Spurs.
The Cherries are yet to win away from home this season and face trips to Middlesbrough, Stoke and Arsenal in the coming weeks.
"We're on the right track at home. We try to entertain our supporters and we're on the right path but tough games are coming," Howe said.
"There is still a lot that can happen. We're confident at the moment, there's a lot more to come but things can change.
"The fans are pivotal. The atmosphere against Hull was outstanding, there's a good energy in the stadium."
