AFC Bournemouth have hit a difficult period in the league in recent weeks, and they have not won since the end of October, when they beat Nottingham Forest 2-0.
After a poor showing against Everton last week, when Iraola’s side fell to a 1-0 defeat, the team responded with a much better performance at home against Chelsea on Saturday.
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While they were unable to find the decisive goal, the Cherries were held to a 0-0 draw against the Blues, who were in the top four coming into the game.
Iraola was encouraged by the performance, with the team displaying improved energy levels and intensity, particularly in their attacking press.
He was pleased with the response after the Toffees defeat, and told the Daily Echo: “For me, the day that I was really worried or concerned was Everton. We were very slow.
Andoni Iraola. (Image: Richard Crease)
“It didn't look like us. Against Sunderland, against West Ham, it was us playing. You can make mistakes, you don't win because of the mistakes you make.
“But you feel your it’s team and you feel like the guarantee that if we play again this game, I trust my players.
“Against Everton, it didn't happen and I think with we've improved the performance but it's true it's just one point, still on 20 but I think also we arrived to 20, that has cost us a lot and I think we can build on this point.”
The Cherries 20 points leaves them in 13th place, but it is a hugely congested table.
They are two points behind a group of three sides on 22 points, including next Monday’s opponents Manchester United, and five points behind Chelsea in fifth.