Three things we learned: Iraola ahead of Hammers trip

Here are three things we learned…

1. Happy to have Faivre back

Ahead of travelling to London, the Cherries welcomed midfielder Romain Faivre back from a loan with FC Lorient.

Speaking on the Frenchman, Iraola said: “Romain is someone that can help us in different positions.

“He’s a player who has played inside, as a number ten, he can play outside coming inside onto his strong foot.

“I think he will help us, especially with the players we’ve lost, in these positions. With the departure of Brooksy, it was quite an easy decision for the club.”

2. Focussing on the match ahead of transfer deadline

Thursday night’s clash with the Hammers also coincides with the end of the January transfer window.

Asked on a potential split focus for the head coach, he explained: “It’s an uncomfortable situation. We have a game tomorrow night and that is what I have in my mind.

“I’m not working on these deals; I’m not focussing on this side. I will evaluate, whenever it finishes, how we are. Who is in, who is out and what we are.

“Right now, in my mind, it’s only West Ham but there are more people involved in the club who are dealing with the rest, and we’ll see how it finishes.”

3. Important to start well at London Stadium

With David Moyes’ side currently sat sixth in the top flight, the Irons clearly pose a tricky test for the Cherries.

Looking ahead to the game, the head coach said: “They are really good. They have very good players and are sixth in the table, they are especially strong at home.

“It’s a team that normally starts the game strong, they get ahead a lot of times and once they are ahead, it’s very difficult.

“They are very comfortable and really dangerous on the counters, so it’s going to be important for us to start really well in the first minutes and try to score first.

“Otherwise, we faced it in the first game of the season, once they go ahead, it’s difficult to beat them.”