Bournemouth

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport senior journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Premier League teams, even those not in Europe and out of the Carabao Cup, face eight games between now and the end of 2024, at a time of year when suspensions start kicking in (the 'cut off' for five cautions does not come until teams have played 19 games, which means the end of December), and injuries naturally take their toll while television dictates that teams sometimes play at unusual times.

Though both are ever-present in the Premier League this season, neither Milos Kerkez (Hungary) nor Antoine Semenyo (Ghana) joined up with their countries during this international break because of injury concerns.

The Ghana FA stated that Semenyo was “nursing an injury of the patella tendon due to overload of games”, and that the Cherries medical team “thought it wise to use the break to refer him to a tendon specialist to prevent worsening of the injury”.

Julian Araujo, who has shared the right-back role with stalwart Adam Smith this season (“platooning” the position, to use a US sports phrase), has gone under the knife to have hamstring surgery. While no timescale has been given on his recovery, such operations usually mean an absence of months rather than weeks.

All of the above means Andoni Iraola’s squad may be a little stretched between now and the end of 2024. As I wrote here last week, Ryan Christie misses the Brighton game with a one-match suspension while Marcos Senesi, Justin Kluivert and Semenyo are all on four yellow cards.

All of the squad are likely to be needed at some point, which may give opportunities to the likes of Max Aarons, who has not made it off the substitutes’ bench this season but is now the only natural full-back cover for Smith and Kerkez.

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Bournemouth have won their past three Premier League games at Vitality Stadium and could win four in a row at home in the top flight for the first time.

Meanwhile, Evanilson has scored in his past three league appearances and could become only the second Cherries player to do in four straight top-flight games, after Callum Wilson did so in September 2019.

Tottenham, Manchester City and Chelsea are set to battle for 22-year-old Bournemouth and Ukraine defender Illia Zabarnyi. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

BBC Sport pundit Nedum Onuoha gives us his insight and opinion every fortnight on your Premier League club.

But this week, he's in the hotseat for your questions.

So what do you want to ask for a former player. Best opponent? Most memorable team-mate he played with?

Or maybe you're just interested in what next for your club this season?

Send in your questions, external

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There has been some pressure on players carrying an injury going into international breaks with their national side because you are contracted to these clubs and that is where your income is.

But, for me, as a player I had a similar mindset to Harry Kane that I would always be available - injured or not injured. I would have injections when I was on international duty just so I could represent my country because it meant that much.

It is difficult, however. If you look at Jack Grealish and Pep Guardiola's comments, he has a point because the forward has not been able to play for Manchester City because of injuries. So if you have been sidelined for three or four games, I would agree that you are then not fit and available to go on international duty.

But when you look at some of the other players, ones who have been playing and being managed by their club, then I do not see it being different to being played and managed by your country.

From the club's side, when they are competing at such high levels in the Premier League, you can understand why they would want their players to be rested and get fully fit again over the two weeks, rather than having to come back straight into a hectic period of fixtures.

I kind of get it from both points of view but, as a player, if I am half fit and being played by my club, I would be fully available for my national team.

It is really difficult with the pressure that is on the players, though. I would not look at it as a decision players have made solely.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

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Bournemouth defender Julian Araujo has had surgery on a injury to his left hamstring, the Premier League club has confirmed.

The Mexico right-back, 23, has made eight Premier League appearances, five of them starts, since joining the Cherries from Barcelona in August.

"The results of an MRI scan determined surgery would be the best course of action for Julian's recovery," said a club statement.

"The club's performance and medicine staff will now support Julian through a comprehensive rehabilitation process over the coming months."

With only four points separating third and 13th, we do not normally see that many teams in this type of mini league.

Normally, you might have the teams in a pack around the top four or five and then another pack underneath that with your relegation pack as well, so the fact there is so many teams in it at this stage is making it different.

From the mental side of competing in that, you look at Manchester United who have struggled so much this season and are sitting 13th. If they get a win, it can shoot them right up the table. They are in a position to think they are only a few points off the Champions League places' and that is good.

But it can work both ways.

Knowing the points are so close can keep you strong, keep you competing and have that competitiveness because you know a result can jump you up. But on the flipside, you could easily go from seventh down to 13th in one weekend or from third down to 10th.

How you deal with it depends on the manager, the players and also the psychologists within the group. Psychology in sport is really important for whether you see the situation as a positive or a negative.

Whether it stays like this all season is hard to say as there have been some really inconsistent performances and results. The most consistent team is the one sitting at the top.

I do not know what the rest of the campaign has in store for these sides because all the teams seem to be able to take points off each other this season.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

Manchester United are keen on 21-year-old Bournemouth and Hungary left-back Milos Kerkez. (Football Transfers), external

Chelsea have put Bournemouth's 22-year-old Ukraine centre-back Illia Zabarnyi on their list of potential defensive targets. (Football Transfers), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport senior journalist

Image source, Getty Images

It was a case of 'After the Lord Mayor’s Show' – both metaphorically and literally – for Bournemouth on Saturday.

Hours after 'one of the world’s oldest ceremonial spectacles' (to quote the BBC iPlayer description) made its way through the City of London, a little further west, the Cherries – having taken seven points from nine against Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester City – came unstuck against the lesser lights of Brentford.

The Gtech Community Stadium has not been a happy hunting ground for Bournemouth, with four defeats and one draw from five visits. Not only that, they have taken the lead there five times across those five games, but only have one point (from September 2023) to show for their efforts.

There was plenty of debate over Andoni Iraola's team selection against the Bees – most of it around the restoration of fit-again Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal, despite two excellent performances by Mark Travers during the Spaniard's absence.

Some of the travelling fans chanted Travers’ name during and after the game at Brentford, while Iraola conceded: "Whatever decision I would make is going to be unfair for one because I had two keepers playing very well."

The other change featured Tyler Adams making his first club start since March, and he will likely be called upon again after the international break as Ryan Christie collected his fifth yellow card of the season at Brentford, and will be suspended for the next game against Brighton.

Currently walking a disciplinary tightrope on four cautions are Justin Kluivert, Antoine Semenyo and Marcos Senesi.

More positive news came at Vitality Stadium on Sunday, when 6,054 fans watched the Cherries beat Swindon 4-0 to maintain their 100% record in Women’s National League Division One South West.

That attendance figure, in the fourth tier of the women’s pyramid, exceeded some of the weekend’s Women’s Super League gates – while it would have also beaten the men’s team’s average attendance of 5,720 the last time they were in the fourth tier (2009-10 in League Two).

Sam Davis
Fan writer

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Bournemouth head into the November international break in positive spirits despite defeat last time out against Brentford.

The last window of games saw some statement victories and it leaves Andoni Iraola's men sitting comfortably in 12th position - and this should not be sniffed at, especially when there was a fear of a decline following the departure of star striker Dominic Solanke in the summer.

However, these fears have proved to be unfounded, as, step forward - Evanilson.

The Cherries moved quickly in replacing the club's previous top scorer by bringing in the forward from Porto and, despite some early concerns, he is finding his feet.

There was a small period of adjustment, but the Brazilian has now notched three goals in his past three matches and is starting to fill the void left by Solanke in impressive fashion.

He last scored three in three back in January for Porto, so to hit that target again only a few months into his Bournemouth and English football career is certainly something he can build on.

It is not just the goals that are impressing the Cherries fans, though. The way he is now understanding his team-mates and adhering to the instructions from the coach is there for all to see.

Being a constant nuisance for centre-backs, linking the play together and making some really intelligent runs have all helped the Bournemouth supporters quickly warm to him. He really does have the potential to be a fans' favourite.

Despite being in previous Brazil squads, Evanilson will be staying put during the break, but Bournemouth fans are pondering that if he can keep up his current form, he might not be spending international fortnights around Vitality Stadium for too much longer.

Find more from Sam Davis at Back of the Net, external

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Brentford and Bournemouth.

Here are some of your comments:

Brentford fans

Ian: Another end-to-end game at Gtech Community Stadium and Yoane Wissa was on fire! The first half was a good Premier League game and the second half continued in the same vein. Two teams outside the top six who are making their mark in the Premier League.

Paddy: If we weren't so leaky in defence, we would be up fighting for European competition. Ben Mee has been sorely missed, though despite that, the never-say-die attitude saw us through. It is that mindset that is so attractive about our club. Go Bees!

Nick: We attack a team and score more than them. We try to defend and we lose. Just keep attacking! Their manager says they were better…3-2 says we were.

Bournemouth fans

OIiver: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Replace Kepa Arrizabalaga with Mark Travers who has been outstanding for us in back-to-back performances against arguably the two most formidable opponents in the league. Overall, the Cherries were exciting to watch and full of their now characteristic flair. Unfortunately, so were Brentford.

Adam: If I was Travers, I’d be desperately searching for a way out of this club. Two stellar weeks between the sticks against two fantastic teams, and he gets dropped at the first opportunity for a bang-average keeper with a trendy name. We should’ve won that game but instead we’re bemoaning the keeper.

Paul: Well we've had some poor goalkeeping from Neto, but this one is certainly in the same league, full of basic errors. He must be being picked on his past performances. Why take our young goalkeeper out when he's clearly performing with much more effort. Highly paid players think they command a place in the team, not to earn their place on merit.

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's six Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Wolves 2-0 Southampton

• Brighton 2-1 Man City

Ben Collins
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Reuters

It was little wonder that Bournemouth made a bright start at Brentford having earned seven points from their previous three games - against Manchester City, Arsenal and Aston Villa no less.

After the hosts equalised for a second time early in the second half, they ultimately proved too strong for the Cherries, but there was still plenty that pleased manager Andoni Iraola.

They produced two well-worked corner routines, with one producing a great chance for defender Marcos Senesi at 0-0 and the other the goal for Justin Kluivert to make it 2-1.

And while Bournemouth's opener was a gift, Brazilian striker Evanilson finished it off well for his fourth goal in six games.

That was his only clear-cut opportunity, though, so the Cherries' record signing will need continued support from the likes of Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo if Bournemouth are to put together another unbeaten run.

Image source, Getty Images

Andoni Iraola spoke to Sky Sports after Bournemouth's defeat against Brentford: "It's frustrating because I think that, more or less, the game was what we expected. It was quite an open game with moments for both teams, but I think we've been better. We've been ahead two times and to finish losing this game, also considering the last chance we had, it's a bad feeling because I think we played well.

"We had two very good chances from routines from corners, with one goal, but also we've conceded from a throw-in and then the kick-off after we scored to make it 2-1. After playing very well in the first half especially, to lose this game is hard. For me it was a clear penalty as well [on Evanilson]."

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This is the first time Bournemouth have lost a Premier League game in which they have led twice, while it’s now three defeats in their last four league matches on the road.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Brentford’s performance, external

What did you make of Bournemouth’s display?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Six matches make up Saturday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

• Brentford v Bournemouth

• Crystal Palace v Fulham

• West Ham v Everton

• Wolves v Southampton (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live)

• Brighton v Man City - 17:30 (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Liverpool v Aston Villa - 20:00

Kick-off 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 11 he takes on Mylee and Tate from CBBC football drama Jamie Johnson FC (JJFC).

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

This is going to be a great game between two in-form teams, but how on earth do I call it?

Bournemouth have just taken seven points off Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester City, while Brentford have got the best home record in the Premier League this season.

I was a bit worried about the Cherries when they sold striker Dominic Solanke to Tottenham in the summer because they had to replace his goals, but the whole team has been chipping in and they have had some special results that will live long in the memory for their fans.

I'm basing this prediction on Bournemouth's recent form and confidence, but I still don't think Brentford will be beaten at home. With Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo, they carry a real threat and I always expect them to score.

The readers will go for a draw, no doubt about it... and I am doing the same.

Mylee's prediction: 1-1

I’m going for a draw here too.

Tate's prediction: 2-2

These are two middle-of-the-table teams and I don’t think there is going to be a lot separating them.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brentford (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On players returning: "The only player who will recover is Kepa [Arrizabalaga]. It's too early for Dango [Ouattara] - it will be safer to leave him to recover. [Luis] Sinisterra has had a small setback so he will take more time than Dango."

• Iraola confirmed that Sinisterra's injury is similar to one that he has had before: "His case worries me more because it's more of a hamstring injury, which he has had previously. He has tried this week but he is not feeling well. He will need more time."

• He spoke on Evanilson's recent goalscoring form: "We are starting to understand him a little bit better and he is starting to create connections with his team-mates. He's always alert, has good movement and we can surprise the opposition at any moment with him."

• On Milos Kerkez: "With the offensive volume that he provides, it would be normal for him to have more numbers. He is providing us a lot of threat there. The defensive side is the most important thing, but the offensive contribution helps a lot."

• On Saturday's opponents: "We play a very difficult game. They have an almost perfect record at home and are the third or fourth [highest] scoring team in the competition. The demands of the game are going to be super high."

• Iraola seemed satisfied with his side's away performances so far this season: "I think we've been decent away. Five points from five games against very difficult teams. It's not any guarantee for the next game - we have to continue to be competitive."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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We asked for one thing involving Bournemouth that people are not talking about but should be.

Here are some of your comments:

Robin: The Lewis Cook / Ryan Christie partnership in central midfield. Why Lewis Cook isn't in the conversation for England on his performances the past 15 months is beyond belief.

Lucas: Outside of our fanbase, there is nowhere near enough discussion about Cook and his potential for an England call-up. His performances this season have more than merited it.

Stanley: Our attacking four get much of the credit, and rightly so, they're great. But they couldn't do it without the foundation of Cook and Christie. Both have been consistently great working together for a year now, and if one has a problem I am more than happy to see Alex Scott come in (there were no issues against Arsenal). One thing though, I would like to see David Brooks play.

Harry: The biggest issue I see is our players and staff being poached. In recent years the club have showed great success in replacing key staff, but performances this season have increased the attention paid to Andoni Iraola, as well as Antoine Semenyo, Milos Kerkez, Illia Zabarnyi and co. I trust and hope the club are equipped to potentially deal with such large-scale change in the summer.

David: I don't think I heard anyone mention how well Zabarnyi handled Erling Haaland. Not an inch conceded!