Bournemouth Manager Andoni Iraola Urges Team to “Keep Competing” After 2-0 Home Defeat to Tottenham

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has urged his injury-hit side to “keep competing” following a 2-0 home defeat by Tottenham. The defeat leaves Bournemouth in the relegation zone, having picked up just one point from their opening three Premier League games.

Iraola’s side had been in the ascendancy for much of the game, but were undone by two second-half goals from Harry Kane and Lucas Moura. Speaking after the game, Iraola said his side had to “keep competing” in order to turn their fortunes around.

“It was a tough game for us,” said Iraola. “We had a lot of chances, but we weren’t able to take them. We have to keep competing and keep believing in ourselves if we want to turn this around.”

The defeat was Bournemouth’s third in a row, and leaves them bottom of the Premier League table. The Cherries have been hit hard by injuries this season, with several key players missing from the squad.

Iraola admitted that the injuries had been a major factor in his side’s poor start to the season, but said that he was confident his team could bounce back.

“We have been hit hard by injuries this season,” said Iraola. “But I am confident that we can turn this around. We have a good squad and we will keep fighting until the end.”

Despite the defeat, Iraola was pleased with his side’s performance against Tottenham and said that they had shown enough to suggest that they could still turn their season around.

“I think we showed enough today to suggest that we can still have a good season,” said Iraola. “We have to keep believing in ourselves and keep fighting. We have the quality in our squad to turn this around.”

Bournemouth will now look to get back to winning ways when they face West Ham United at the London Stadium on Saturday. The Hammers have also made a poor start to the season, but Iraola is confident his side can get a result.

“We know it won’t be easy against West Ham, but we are confident that we can get a result,” said Iraola. “We have to keep believing in ourselves and keep fighting until the end.”

Fans of both sides can follow highlights of Saturday’s Premier League action on Match Of The Day Saturday 26 August 22:25 BST on BBC One & BBC iPlayer (available to UK users only).

Iraola will be hoping his side can pick up their first win of the season against West Ham and kick-start their season. With injuries continuing to plague his side, Iraola will be hoping his team can show enough fight and determination to turn their fortunes around.