Afobe heaps praise on Bournemouth boss Howe

Benik Afobe cannot break into Eddie Howe’s first-team plans at Bournemouth just at the moment but that has not stopped the striker from pouring praise on his manager.

Howe has guided Bournemouth – over two spells – from League One to the Premier League and is a manager much in demand.

Some are even tipping him for the England job after Sam Allardyce’s departure earlier this week.

And Afobe – who has worked under Arsene Wenger at Arsenal – admits that Howe is the real deal.

“I was actually having this conversation with Jack Wilshere. I was saying how it’s strange, because, no disrespect to Eddie, he’s not come from a big club like Arsenal or Manchester United but his training and philosophy is second to none. It’s unbelievable,” said Afobe.

“He’s taught himself so well that you would think he’s come through a really top team. I know he will have a great managerial career.

“He’s a hard worker. On the training field, he’s the first one on and the last one off. I know he’s the manager but I’ve played under some managers in the past who don’t even come out.

“They just send their assistants. Eddie wants to be there, trying to see how every single player can improve and he has time for them all. He’s a top man.”

The former Wolves striker is battling with the likes of Callum Wilson and Joshua King for game time up front for the Cherries.

(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

And the 23-year-old knows that patience will be a virtue as he bides his time on the bench.

“I don’t view it as ‘it’s me against this guy’,” he added.

“It’s nothing like that. I always think about the squad. It’s not like the manager has personal issues with anyone. He’s a top man. He speaks to all his players. He’s never left anyone in the cold, feeling upset.

“Hopefully I can get more minutes. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to play every game. When you start playing at the ages of six and seven, the ultimate goal is to play week in, week out.

“I’m just going to work as hard as I can on the training pitch and even if I don’t start for six months or six days it doesn’t make a difference. I will always have a smile on my face and be a positive person around the place.”