BOSS Jonathan Woodgate revealed how he was a stickler for timekeeping with his players – as Cherries look to help secure their spot early in this season’s Championship play-offs.

The 41-year-old has seen his side hit form at just the right time to move back into the top six, with five consecutive league wins on the bounce.

On this week’s EFL podcast, Woodgate revealed how Tony Pulis sometimes used to “go absolutely berserk” with noises in team meetings, when Ryan Shotton used to squeeze a bottle.

Asked what irked him the most when leading a group of players, the Cherries head coach told the Daily Echo: “Lateness. Even when they are 10 seconds late.

“I was always a stickler for time. If we leave at three o’clock, we leave at three o’clock.

“I am not on about 10 seconds past three – I’m on about bang on three o’clock, we leave and the bus goes.

“I’ve actually had it at Middlesbrough, I had people running after the bus to try to stop the bus. No – the bus goes if you’re not on it.

“It’s like if you are going to arrive at the back post. If you are a second late, you don’t score. It’s little things like that.

“The players (at Middlesbrough) did eventually get a taxi to the train station and apologised.

“But I think you’ve got to set certain standards at football clubs and if everyone buys into it, then you should be in a successful period.

“I just want people on time – that’s all I’m asking for. Be on time, be polite, treat everyone exactly the same whether it’s physio, sports science, treat everyone exactly the same.

“I think that’s important at any football club, you respect every single person.”

Cherries make the trip to league leaders Norwich tomorrow (8pm) with the Canaries knowing they could seal promotion back to the Premier League if results go their way.

But, as well as not being fashionably late to any sort of promotion party, Woodgate is looking for his side to show their class.

“Nothing to lose is not the right thing for me,” he said ahead of the trip to Norfolk. “We’ve got everything to lose because we’re a good football team.

“Thinking we’re going there to turn over and be in a promotion party or whatever it is if they win the game – that’s not for me.

“We will be going there, implementing a game plan and hopefully coming back with the three points. I truly believe my players in that dressing room can produce it.”