Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola (centre left) after the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola (centre left) after the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
ANDONI Iraola again played down conversations of potential European qualification for the Cherries this season, saying it doesn’t make sense to look at the standings at this stage of the season.
With their 3-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday, Bournemouth are sitting in fifth in the Premier League.
But when asked again about the potential of European football, Iraola, as he has done in recent weeks, suggested caution at getting ahead of themselves at this stage.
“I think now the standings, everything is very close,” the Basque boss said.
“We were playing United, they were, before the start of the game week, I think we were sixth, they were 13th. If they beat us, they would be above us.
“It's a matter of now, in this next week, we could be behind them because it's two games ahead of us.
“I value the points. We have 28 points, and these ones will not disappear, but they are not enough for anything. We have to add a lot of points still.
“So we go week by week, game by game. And now focus on Palace, on Fulham a little bit, but I don't think now, so early, it makes sense to look too much to the standings.”
Asked about the Bournemouth fans dreaming of European football after the start to the season, Iraola said: “I think they have to, and they are, I suppose, enjoying it a lot, because normally it doesn't happen a lot of times you come to these stadiums, I've come as a player, it's difficult to have this kind of results.
“So obviously we have to enjoy it, they have to enjoy it.
“But we know how much it costs to win one Premier League, just one against anyone, whatever you want. To win one Premier League game is very, very expensive and difficult.
“So, we have to continue the same way. Otherwise, the results will be much worse for sure.”