EDDIE Howe has likened modern football management to battling a monster and says the heat is on bosses as they are now judged on "one or two" games.

Leicester dismissed Claudio Ranieri on Thursday, just nine months after the Italian had masterminded a remarkable Premier League title triumph for the 5,000-1 Foxes.

Ranieri's sacking attracted widespread condemnation with former Leicester and England striker Gary Lineker describing it as "inexplicable, unforgivable and gut-wrenchingly sad".

The exit of the 65-year-old was the fifth managerial axing in the top flight this season following the departures of Mike Phelan, Bob Bradley, Alan Pardew and Francesco Guidolin.

Although Cherries are winless in the calendar year, Howe is widely viewed as one of the English game's brightest young bosses having guided his team from the base of the Football League to the top flight across two separate spells.

And Howe believes what matters is what he is "delivering at the moment" and says he is comfortable with the high-pressure environment he occupies.

Asked if Ranieri's sacking illustrated that modern football lived entirely in the present, Howe told the Daily Echo: "If it's further reinforcement for that, then yes. I think we are all well aware of the monster you are dealing with as a football manager.

"One or two games is now what you're judged on rather than your record over a longer period of time.

"But it is what it is. When you take the job and when you are in the job I think you realise that quite quickly, so there is no problem with it.

"In terms of my mindset, all that counts is the now. I don't look back and think, 'it was great what we did three, four or five years ago', because it has no relevance to now.

"My focus is on the next game and the future and I always look back on the past with, hopefully, a smile because they were good times. But it doesn't really affect what I'm delivering at this moment.

"It's very important you are always working in the now and with an eye on the future."

Howe takes Cherries to West Brom tomorrow aiming to build on an unbeaten record against the Baggies in the teams' top-flight meetings (3pm).

Tony Pulis's side have taken 14 points from a possible 21 and currently sit eighth in the standings, their survival seemingly assured.

Howe added: "West Brom have done very well. Tony has always produced very difficult teams to beat with very obvious strengths.

"They are incredibly difficult to break down and have gained some really important results.

"They have picked up points in games where perhaps they haven't played so well. But they have added some technical players to their team this year which has made them a lot stronger.

"He's got some players who can make a difference in the final third, so I think they have a good mix about them now."