CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe reflected on his childhood years watching Watford but insisted: “You almost forget quite quickly what happened in the past.”

Amersham-born Howe followed the Hornets as a youngster with his first experience of a live game coming at Vicarage Road.

He then moved to Bournemouth and came through the youth ranks at Dean Court.

While he will tomorrow hope to scupper the Hornets at Vitality Stadium (7.45pm), Howe admitted he would always have a soft spot for the visitors.

He told the Daily Echo: “The first stadium I visited was Vicarage Road.

“I was born very close to Watford and until I moved down south when I was about 10 years old, I was watching Watford quite regularly.

“At the time they were in the old First Division. That was my first experience of football. I enjoyed going and built a slight support for the club at that time.

“When I moved down here, Bournemouth became my team and you almost forget quite quickly what happened in the past.

“But I have always looked out for Watford’s results and always kept an eye on them, and they are a club that I do like.”

Joshua King’s brace alongside goals from Callum Wilson and David Brooks earned Cherries a clinical 4-0 win at Watford in October.

The result was the Dorset club’s first Premier League win over the Hornets.

Howe added: “It seems a long time ago now but it was a good day in terms of our result. The players were devastating on the counter-attack.

“I thought we produced a strong, professional performance, so we were very pleased.

“Every game we have had against them has been extremely tough with a lot of draws in our Premier League encounters.

“We enjoy the challenge and always enjoy a special moment with Watford because they were one of the teams we came up (to the Premier League) with.

“We have shared the journey with each other. We have both experienced some really high points and low points but it’s great to see both clubs still doing well.

“We are still fighting together and against each other and there have been some good battles.

“They have obvious strengths in the front areas with Troy Deeney and pace in wide areas. They also have good, technical players in the middle of the pitch. But we believe in ourselves at home and our home record, in the main, has been very good. We are very keen to get back playing here.

“We are looking to build momentum again and it’s really important these early games in the new year can start that.”

A run of eight league losses in 10 games has seen Cherries slip out of the top half of the Premier League.