Under-pressure Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe insists he is not a spent force and can handle adversity due to being written off “hundreds of times” during his injury-ravaged playing career.
The Premier League’s longest serving manager has come under increased scrutiny following a dismal run of form which has heightened the Cherries’ relegation fears.
“As a player, I’ve been in this position hundreds of times – written off, not good enough, injured for two years, sat in a treatment room with no idea when I was going to be fit or kick a ball again,” said Howe.
“This isn’t new territory for me, trying to prove people wrong and trying to lift the team.
“My energy levels – I would know deep down if I was spent, if the creativity juices weren’t going.
“I don’t want to be deluded either. I don’t want to say everything’s great, I’m great, when the results say the opposite, so I’m not in that position either.
“I’m just working as hard and as smart as I can to try and change results.”
Ahead of Saturday’s trip to bottom club Norwich, Howe said there was no truth in suggestions he has been asked to resign as manager.
“In a sense from the outside you look at it and go everything’s always been rosy at Bournemouth, everything’s been easy – far, far from it, on so many different levels,” said Howe.
“The first few months here (as manager), were just incredibly difficult – League Two, looking like we’re going to the Conference, in a huge relegation battle where we were seven points cut adrift at the bottom, so I’ve been in this position loads.
“The reality is a couple of results and things look very different and you (the media) are probably at a different club asking negative questions.”
