Iraola led Bournemouth to 56 points and a ninth place finish last season, and the team have already accumulated 18 points from their opening nine games of this campaign.
That leaves them second in the table, behind only Arsenal at the summit of the league.
But the Cherries have gained plaudits for their start this season, particularly with a number of high-profile departures in the summer, losing the likes of Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi.
Asked if he feels his team this season is better than last season, Iraola said they have to show that in the table.
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“It will take 57 points,” he said.
“I think 56 we got [last season]. But to get 57 points I see it very, very difficult.
“But this we have to show it at the end of the season, not now because also past season we started really well.
“I think it's going to be very difficult to improve on the 56 points. But we will try, definitely.”
Asked if he had a number of points he was targeting at this stage of the campaign, Iraola said: “I have no idea.
“I know that with 18 points, it’s not enough, you’ll get relegated so we need more points.
“I don't know how many, as many as we can. We will try every game to win the games but I know that is not going to happen.”