Andoni Iraola says AFC Bournemouth are ready for a “massive” showdown with Fulham as the Cherries continue their push for European football. With three games left and a 15-match unbeaten run intact, Bournemouth head to Craven Cottage full of belief and boosted by returning players.
With just three games remaining, AFC Bournemouth find themselves right in the thick of the race for Europe - and according to Andoni Iraola, the belief inside the camp has never been stronger.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s huge clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage, the Cherries boss reflected on Bournemouth’s remarkable unbeaten run, the challenge that awaits in west London and the growing possibility of delivering something historic on the south coast.
Bournemouth head into the weekend sixth in the Premier League table and still firmly in contention for European qualification. While Iraola stopped short of getting carried away by talk of the Champions League, he admitted his side have earned the right to dream after months of consistency.
REUTERS/Dylan Martinez "I think we are in a good place in the sense that 3 games remaining, we are in the fight," he said. "But I think that still we need good results. And we are like 6, 7 teams fighting for 2, maybe 3 positions. So you will need points and you will need wins."
The Cherries are now unbeaten in 15 league matches - a run stretching back to January - and the Spaniard believes the resilience his players have shown has been the key reason they remain in contention.
"They've been consistent, they've been tough to beat, they are playing well," he explained. "When we are not playing as well we are finding ways to stay in the games and I hope we can go all the way knowing that we have 3 difficult matches."
Iraola also pointed to Bournemouth’s recent victory over Newcastle United as a pivotal moment in their campaign, suggesting results against fellow European challengers have kept their ambitions alive heading into the final weeks.
Attention now turns to Fulham, a side Iraola described as one of the toughest home teams in the division. Marco Silva’s men have been particularly strong at Craven Cottage this season, collecting the vast majority of their points on home soil.
Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs"Fulham away is one of the most difficult matches," Iraola admitted. "Fulham at home, I think they've had like 32 points at home. That is incredible."
The Bournemouth boss also praised Silva for the job he has done in west London, highlighting the continuity and tactical understanding within Fulham’s squad.
"He's doing an incredible job," Iraola said. "He has been there a long time, improving every single season."
While the focus remains firmly on Saturday’s showdown, Bournemouth were handed a timely boost on the injury front. Justin Kluivert is expected to return to the squad after training fully throughout the week, while Lewis Cook is also nearing a comeback.
"Justin has been training with the team normally this week and I expect him to be in the squad tomorrow," Iraola confirmed.
On Cook, he added: "Probably not for tomorrow, but he's getting there."
Perhaps most encouraging for Bournemouth supporters is the mentality currently driving the squad. According to Iraola, every player is desperate to contribute during the final push, creating fierce competition for places ahead of the season-defining run-in.
"Everyone wants to contribute," he said. "I have to take difficult decisions sometimes to leave people out of the squad. But internally I think it creates a good competition and a good atmosphere."
As the possibility of European football edges closer to becoming reality, Iraola admitted it would represent something "really special" for both himself and the football club. Yet despite the growing excitement surrounding Bournemouth’s season, the manager insists nothing changes unless his side continue picking up results.
"Tomorrow is a massive game for us," he said. "We need to do something special. We need to do a really good performance to get Europe, and we will definitely go for it tomorrow."