EDDIE Howe believes one of the most challenging periods in his managerial career could also turn out to be one of the most beneficial.

Cherries’ dramatic 3-2 triumph over West Ham yesterday saw them bring to an end a run of nine games without a victory.

Joshua King’s superbly-executed hat-trick earned Cherries a first Premier League win in eight attempts, with the dispiriting run also including an ignominious FA Cup defeat at Millwall.

“I feel I have had plenty of bad runs in my career,” said Howe, responding to a question put by the Daily Echo.

“As you live every loss much more than you do any win, it stays with you and you hate it so much that you do everything you can to prevent it.

“This has been a really difficult run and it has been a testing time. But, in some senses, it could be a very positive thing for me.

“I always try to look at life that way. When you are tested and doubted, how strong can you be? How good a leader can you be in the bad times just as much as the good times? How you come through a spell like this is a really big test for a leader.”

Howe also revealed he had ignored all the media hyperbole surrounding Cherries’ worrying dip in results and said he had “banned” himself from watching Match of the Day.

He added: “I don’t watch when we win or lose and think that is the best way. If you are going to watch when you win then you must watch when you lose. I tend to want to watch the whole game by myself without any opinions on top.”

Asked by the Daily Echo whether he had read any coverage in the press in recent weeks, Howe replied: “I take myself away from it because I think it is unhealthy to take in things like that.

“The only people that truly matter, I believe, are yourself, your family and the opinions of people you respect.

“I am not saying I wouldn’t listen to constructive criticism but I think I have been in the game long enough to know whether I am doing a good or bad job. You can look in the mirror and know whether you are giving everything.”

Howe also had words of praise for how his squad had dealt with the mounting pressure during a trying start to 2017.

“It doesn’t matter whether you are winning, losing or drawing, we are always analysing ourselves to see what we can do better,” he said.

“Certainly, we have gone back to the drawing board and there have been some tweaks.

“Naturally, when you are not winning, the mood is not as positive and vibrant as when you are. I think that is human nature.

“The players have done well to keep their emotions in control. They know the only way we can achieve what we want is to work harder on the training pitch and that’s what we have tried to do.

“We look at every game as a way to pick up points. But we know the importance of some games that will define our season.”