Iraola explains why it is not ‘a bad thing’ if teams now know how Cherries will play

ANDONI Iraola insists it is not “a bad thing” if other clubs know how Cherries will approach matches this season.

In Iraola’s first campaign in charge, Cherries finished 12th, recording their highest ever Premier League points tally of 48.

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Put to him 2024-25 could be harder, given other teams will have worked out how Cherries play, head coach Iraola said: “Yes, obviously.

“The opposition will know our main idea and what to expect from us, but I don’t think that is a bad thing.

“I think it is good to have an identity, a clear idea of how you want to do things.

“But from there, there are a lot of small changes we can make to have more options, also player dependent we can have different approaches.

“But I don’t think it’s a bad thing to have a clear idea.”

Cherries get their season underway against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, August 17.