Iraola on strikers and being clinical
- Published
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
There wasn't much positive team news from Iraola, who still has eight players ruled out through injury: "Marcus Tavernier is the only player who has started training with the group but I don't know if we are going to have him tomorrow. We will have to decide."
On whether his side needs a striker: "I think we need [a striker], yes and we are trying to find a number nine. It's true but it's also true that it is not easy to sign players in the winter market. I know the club is trying. Normally in the market, things happen very late in the window."
On facing Nottingham Forest: "We will have to be very, very good if we want to beat them. Defensively, they are elite. Absolutely elite. They have amazing numbers in the defensive stats, they have the spirit also and are full of confidence. We will have to be very good, especially offensively."
He continued: "It's very difficult to have clear chances against them so we will have to be clinical - be very good in front of goal because they don't give you a lot. When they score the first goal, it is difficult to turn the game against them. It is always important to start strong and win the first duels."
On Bournemouth's season so far: "We are in a good run, we are trying to do what we have been doing all season. We will try to keep this level of performance as long as we can but it doesn't get any easier."
Iraola was asked about the increased attention on him from other clubs in the Premier League: "You are not as good when you win and you are not as bad as when you lose. We have to keep performing like we are doing, it is still early in the season, there are still a lot of games to play. We are in a nice position in the standings."
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