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Iraola knows how West Ham can be dangerous | Getty Images
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking ahead of his side’s clash with West Ham.
AFC Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to West Ham’s strengths ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash. The London Stadium clash is an important one for both sides, with the iron now within three points of safety after a fine run of form over recent weeks.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men have given themselves a chance, but they still need a consistent run of form to catch the likes of Nottingham Forest, who will themselves pick up points along the way.
Bournemouth also have plenty to play for, currently in the European race and just three points back from seventh-placed Brentford, while eighth place could yet become a European spot depending on how English clubs finish their respective European campaigns this season.
Ahead of the clash in East London, Cherries boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking, and he addressed why his sides keep drawing with West Ham while also highlighting the Hammers’ biggest threats. He told the Daily Echo: “I don't really know because it's true that the five Premier League games we played against have been five draws. I feel normally we play quite well against West Ham but they always find the way of punishing us.
“They have very good players offensively and now we are facing them in probably their best moment of the season. They are coming from really great results, great performances, playing really well and you know the threats they have. Summerville, Bowen, Soucek arriving, the strikers they've signed now in the winter market. I know Taty Castellanos from La Liga very well. He's a very, very good number 9. I think he has given a lot of energy to that team and I think you can feel the difference.”
Speaking about West Ham’s new recruits, the Spaniard added: “No, I think the new arrivals obviously for sure helped. Also Disasi at the back, the strikers. I think it makes them a better team, but I think they are playing really well lately.
“I've been watching last games and even I think the only game they've lost in the last seven or something like this, including the cup, is Stamford Bridge, and they had really, really good moments and they lost it on the stoppage time, but they were really good. So I think it's going to be a difficult one considering this situation also.
“For sure, the atmosphere will be lively in the stadium, so we have to be ready because it's a team that has started really strong last games. I think almost all the last games they've scored first. So we have to be very ready and we have to improve our starts, because we also conceded the first goal against Villa, first goal against Everton. So I think we need to start strong again.”
Nottingham Forest face Liverpool this weekend, so West Ham will see this game as a real opportunity to make up some ground while not undervaluing the tough test Bournemouth will offer. The Iron also have a very tricky run of games starting now, so it is these sort of games that they need to get points from.
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