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Speaking about his former player, O'Driscoll said: "Eddie has been sensible and not changed anything. He may have tweaked one or two things. Chris Eagles is a talented boy and he could get the most out of him.
"I think that he's altered his position slightly and he's just brought in Charlie Austin, a player he tried to get at Bournemouth. He's made an astute signing in him at just 21 years of age.
"But Burnley have just got a good set of experienced individuals. They have been promoted from this division and had experience of the Premier League. They've held everything together well following relegation and have as good a chance as anybody to bounce straight back.
"I think Burnley will bring an organised, disciplined and committed team. If they get the belief that they can put a run of results together, they can do what every team wants to do in this division and be in with a chance of promotion at the end of the season."
Howe is over 20 years younger than is former boss and reminded people when he said: "I first knew of Sean when he played for Bournemouth and I used to go and watch him. Then he got the youth team manager's role when I was in the youth team so he was a huge influence on my playing career.
"He is a fantastic coach who did a lot for me. I grew close to him down the years and it will be very strange coming up against him. I am sure he has influenced me and my football philosophy. I don't think you can work for someone for ten or twelve years and not have an effect on your opinions and beliefs.
"He's someone I admire so I'm sure he has affected me without realising it."
Howe continued: "Sean is tactically very good and it will be a good challenge for us. They have had a little dip in the last few games but we aren't going to under-estimate them. They are a good side. They play good football and they consistently get results, so it will be difficult for us.
"I have huge respect for him and the job he has done wherever he has gone but we would love to continue our run and get another result. Portsmouth was an excellent night for everybody. We got that second away win of the season and I think it gives us a real platform now hopefully to push on.
"But there are no easy games and we need to make sure we are as focused as we were and try and get a similar result. It's good to be unbeaten and we want that to run as long as we can. This will be the end of three really tough fixtures away from home and if we can stay unbeaten we would be delighted."