EDDIE Howe believes there are parallels between Cherries and Stoke and is keen to emulate the Potters by consolidating in the Premier League.

Howe will tomorrow take a team at the Britannia Stadium for the first time and will also pit his wits against experienced manager Mark Hughes for the first time.

As a player, Howe featured in all eight meetings when the clubs locked horns in the third flight during four successive seasons between 1998 and 2002.

Promoted to the Premier League in 2008 following 23 years in the second and third tiers, Stoke are now in their eighth consecutive season in the top flight and have finished ninth under Hughes in the past two years.

Howe, who played in the last league meeting in 2002, told the Daily Echo: “That is where we are trying to take the club but it is easier said than done.

“We regularly played Stoke in the old Division Two and they were one of the bigger clubs at that level trying to get out.

“Tony Pulis did a magnificent job to stabilise them in the Premier League. It is such a tough job, as we are trying to do now, and Mark has come in and taken the club on again.

“There are parallels but I think we are trying to do it in a slightly different way. But there is no right or wrong way, it just depends what fits for your club.”

Howe added: “We had some great battles with them and I always found the Britannia a tough place to play. There was always a good atmosphere and I felt it elevated our performance levels at times and, as an opposing player, it was a nice place to play.

“We are looking forward to the challenge and I believe it could be two very good football teams trying to out-battle each other.

“People give Stoke a lot of respect and we certainly will. They have changed their style and are a very expansive side now with some very good footballers.

"That is what makes going to Stoke a totally different challenge to the one it used to pose but, in some ways, just as hard.

“We certainly have to make sure we are motivated and ready to play because I think a slow start at Stoke could be a big problem.”

Although the Potters are winless after collecting three points from six games, Howe believes their lowly position will not last long. He added: “When I have reviewed their games and watched them, I have been very impressed with their style of football and the way they try to play.

“I don’t think they are a team in any way that looks like a side which hasn’t won in terms of their level of performance. If you look again at the table in a few games, I think you will find they will be in a different position.”