Bournemouth’s European push has stalled due to poor finishing despite strong attacking stats. Iraola urges more clinical edge ahead of facing in-form Man United, with recent success in the fixture offering hope if chances are taken.
A series of draws recently has stunted many Bournemouth fans' hopes for Europe, but whilst defensively the team looks more astute and settled, it is up top where Bournemouth seem to be lacking.
Given Antoine Semenyo's exit, and with new players like Rayan still try to find their feet in the Premier League, maybe this is unsurprising. In truth, the potency has been lacking ever since the Manchester City star left the building - and it has not escaped Andoni Iraola's attention.
Being Clinical Is Key
Thursday's press conference at Vitality Stadium comes a day ahead of the visit of Manchester United, a team who are reinvigorated under Michael Carrick.
Whilst Burnley, Brentford and Sunderland did not have enough to put any L's in the respective league table column for Bournemouth, there is a danger that the firepower of the Red Devils may be too much, hence the need for the Cherries to step it up themselves in front of goal.
Speaking to the Bournemouth Echo, Iraola said: “About the chances, I think we have to be a little bit more ruthless. Sometimes we are a team that normally arrives a lot, so you miss one chance and you think, okay, we'll score the next one."
The xG vs Goals Scored Mis-Match
Andoni's side indeed created 22 shots in the game against Burnley, and an xG of 2.88. Whilst it felt like a number for the shots were blocked, as the game went on, some key chances were carved out, and the lack of executing them ultimately cost the side dear, and Bournemouth's Basque boss acknowledged how pivotal these moments are.
“It's not just the technical finishing. It has to go on target, and these things I think we definitely need to improve because I think we were talking about the last games, I think, where we've got to really good positions and our percentage on target has been really low comparing to the rest of the season. So there is something there probably of give importance to every finish, because maybe you don't have more. And I hope we consider this.”
Although the visit of United will probably get many Cherries fans twitching in nervousness, the recent record against them has been excellent, having not lost in five, securing two impressive 3-0 wins on their own turf in that spell.
The key for Bournemouth will be to be more clinical when it counts, and if they want to achieve the dizzy heights of 8th place, it will be critical that they put teams to the sword. United will be open and gettable, and if Iraola's side "click" - then there is real hope it can springboard the side into a serious European conversation.