Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has praised Sheffield United following his team’s opening day 1-1 draw with them.
The Blades were the only newly promoted side to pick up on a point on the first weekend of the new Premier League season.
While Norwich City and Aston Villa lost at Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, Chris Wilder’s men travelled to the Vitality Stadium and earned a 1-1 draw.
They had to fight for it, though, with Chris Mepham putting the Cherries ahead in the second half. Yet in the 88th minute Billy Sharp (who else?) grabbed an equaliser.
And Howe was impressed with what he saw in Dorset.
“They’ve got a way of playing, a way of going about things, that’s different and very difficult to play against,” Howe was quoted by the Sheffield Star.
MORE UNITED STORIES
“They showed they can change, as well. Yes, there’s going to be times when it’s tough and you have to dig in, we know that from experience.
“But to do what they’ve done, we also know you have to do some exceptional things. I’ve got a lot of respect for them.
“They showed the bravery to do that, not to give up and take something away with them.
“Everybody likes to think they can do that, but it’s not always the case. That should serve them well for what’s ahead.”
Why praise from Eddie Howe is good for Sheffield United
Earning the respect of any top flight boss is obviously a great thing, but Howe more than most knows what United are experiencing.
Like Wilder, the 41-year-old is also a former player of the club he now manages. Howe took Bournemouth from the lower leagues all the way to the top flight.
The Cherries were promoted to the Championship in 2013 and two years later they were in the Premier League. Just as the Blades did between 2017 and 2019.
If anyone knows what it takes to keep a club in the division having been in third tier just two years prior, Howe does.