The Sports' tricky start to the Vanarama National League South season has been quickly forgotten.
Losing their first two, the club have now won six of their last eight matches in all competitions.
Progression in the FA Cup as well. After defeating Carshalton Athletic in the last round, it's the tie Howell perhaps wanted to avoid this weekend.
He comes up against Bognor Regis Town - the club he left in the summer having taken them to promotion through the Ryman Premier play-offs.
But having already taken on the men from Nyewood Lane - and winning back in August - he says there will be no problem at all making his return on Saturday.
He said: "I'm looking forward to seeing some old friends, Jack (Pearce, manager) gave me my chance in management and it'll be great to see all the faces down there. Bognor is a fantastic club.
"It's an interesting one but it's also a really important game for us. I'm really getting settled in at Eastbourne and hopefully the results back that up."
He added: "The players are responding. There is always a chance that it could take some time but we are starting to gel now and we are taking shape.
"We had quite a high turn over of players in the summer so naturally it won't come together over night. I was prepared for that.
"The club could really do with a good FA Cup run, like we all could at this level. It's exciting."