LONDON: Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has urged his side to achieve greater efficiency at both ends of the pitch as they look to maintain their impressive start to the Premier League season.
The Cherries beat Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday to make it five games unbeaten in the Premier League, with the south coast club now fifth in the table.
But their squad depth is set to be tested during the traditionally congested Christmas and New Year schedule, with Bournemouth starting the holiday campaign at home to Crystal Palace on Thursday.
“I want to be as efficient as we can,” said Iraola ahead of the game with the Eagles.
“If we can continue with the level in both boxes that we had on Sunday, it will be much easier – but this is not a guarantee.
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“As long as we continue creating chances and having the performances we are having, I think we will be fine.
“This is easy to say – but it is not easy to keep this consistency during a long period.”
Bournemouth’s fine form has left Cherries’ fans thinking of European football but Spanish boss Iraola refuses to get carried away by the league table.
“The standings are super compact,” he said. “We are seeing, especially this season in the Premier League, that every team can win against anyone and can also lose (against anyone).
“So we have to keep being competitive and let’s see where the table puts us. Not now, but at the end of the season, because that is what really matters.”
The 42-year-old added: “It is still very early in the season and with 28 points, you don’t have anything – you still need more points even to play next year in the Premier League.
“So I don’t think it is the moment to start looking further than Palace or Fulham (on December 29) at most and from my side, I am not going to do it.”
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