WEST Brom boss Tony Pulis has launched a charm offensive ahead of Cherries' visit tomorrow – by speaking of his respect for Eddie Howe and his charges.

Pulis, who has steered the Baggies to eighth in the Premier League, was manager at Cherries in the early 1990s when Howe was part of the youth set-up at Dean Court.

The Albion boss said: "It's a fantastic story and Eddie's a top young manager. I've got great respect for him, the football club and the players.

"They have done exceptionally well over the past three or four years. We know we'll have a tough game. They have got a good squad of players."

Pulis reported "one or two niggles" ahead of his team's bid to win a seventh home game out of eight in the top flight.

And although the Baggies are in fine form, the boss warned a positive streak should not be taken for granted.

He added: "In management it turns so quickly and you've got to be absolutely focused on the next game.

"You can't take your foot off the pedal. I'm afraid if you start to relax or take things for granted, it's the worst game in the world for kicking you up the backside."