Such is the competitive nature of the Premier League this season, the Cherries are in a good position with 12 games to go, despite a run of 11 games without a win in the middle of the campaign.
The season has been boom or bust for AFC Bournemouth, with the team losing their first game of the term but then going on a run of nine unbeaten, before that barren run through November and December.
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But 2026 has brought a fantastic run of form, with the team six games unbeaten, with four wins in that time, beating Everton away from home last time out.
The relegation battle is fiercely competitive this season too, with a number of teams currently involved in it, meaning reaching the hallowed 40-point mark is one that Iraola is keen to get to.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola celebrates the win with Alex Scott after the final whistle following the Premier League match at Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton. (Image: Jacob King/PA Wire)
While 40 points has been more than enough to stay up in recent seasons, Iraola wants to get there to put any thoughts of being dragged into any battles at the bottom well out of their minds.
Then, they can start looking up, with the battle for Europe equally competitive.
The win at Everton drew the Cherries level with the Toffees in eighth on 37 points, with the potential for top eight to get Europe once again.
Bournemouth are five points off Liverpool in sixth, so if they can continue their current rich vein of form, they could continue to climb the table.
“I think we are in a really great run of results,” Iraola told the Daily Echo.
“As I said the other day, I think we were before this run playing well and not winning games and getting a lot of draws.
Andoni Iraola. (Image: Richard Crease)
“And now games like [the Everton one], they go to your side, small differences, but it costs us a lot to win one Premier League game, a lot.
“So our aim to go against West Ham, they are getting incredible results.
“It's a massive game for us. We want to arrive to this magical 40-point place, not to be involved in nothing about the fight there for relegation.
“And if we can do it against West Ham, would be massive for us because we would have still a lot of games to put us in a better position.”