AFC Bournemouth head to London looking to turn around their form after a very poor run which extended to nine games without a win at the weekend against the Bees.
Tuesday’s hosts Chelsea are fifth in the league, but lost at home last time out and are on a run of only one win in their last six, so the Cherries will be hopeful of a result at the Bridge.
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Earlier in December, Iraola’s side produced a good performance to draw 0-0 with Enzo Maresca’s side, before they then drew 4-4 in a strong showing at Manchester United.
But the two games following saw them drop two points at home in a 1-1 draw to Burnley, before Saturday’s 4-1 loss at Brentford.
And Iraola told the Daily Echo that he wants his side to use the anger they felt after the Bees defeat to bounce back.
(Image: Peter Tarry/PA Wire)
“No, sometimes it's good,” Iraola said when asked about trying to keep spirits up in the squad.
“It depends how you react to these kind of games. If we can use the difference between today first half, today second half, to see who we are as a team, how we can compete in this league and how we cannot compete in this league, I think it's good to have even this.
“If you finish angry, you finish upset, you can use these things for the next one. It's a big loss today, but I hope we can use this anger, this feeling we've had, especially first half, for the next games.”
Reflecting on the good showing against Chelsea, Iraola said it gave them confidence earlier in the month, and while they did not capitalise on that to return to winning ways, the boss is hopeful that they can replicate that performance.
Indeed, he said that it is vital that they do.
“I think it's important [to try and repeat that showing] because I think it was a performance that gave us some confidence going to United, even Burnley,” Iraola said.
Andoni Iraola. (Image: Richard Crease)
“But now you lose, but it's a game that you should have won. So sometimes it's one point, you think it's not a lot, it's not going to change your situation, one point.
“But I think when you play well against this kind of teams, I think it's good for the team.
“We have to go with the aim of recovering the feelings a little bit and seeing us competitive against this kind of team.”
AFC Bournemouth visit Chelsea on Tuesday, December 30, kick off at 7.30pm.