Southcoast outfit Bournemouth has begun life anew to open the 2023-24 Premier League campaign under new boss Andoni Iraola in front of home support at Vitality Stadium with a 1-1 draw against holding Europa Conference League winners West Ham United and certainly looked the better part of an improved side under the former Athletic Club defender.
After the club shockingly parted ways with Gary O’Neil after the now Wolves-employed manager worked magic to keep Bournemouth in the Premier League last season, Iraola’s impressive spell with Rayo Vallecano netted him a move to England and the signs of progression were already on display against the Hammers in terms of patterns of play that have been established and a competency when in possession that was not seen previously.
Debutant Milos Kerkez was particularly impressed in his full debut after arriving from Dutch production house AZ Alkmaar, showing his multi-faceted profile that made him one of the top young fullbacks anywhere in Europe last season.
A stern early season test awaits Bournemouth in the coming weeks with upcoming clashes against Liverpool at the weekend before being followed up by fixtures against Tottenham, Brentford, Chelsea, Brighton, and Arsenal.
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Iraola must contend with at least five absentees to kick off Bournemouth’s hellish run of fixtures this weekend at Anfield, with Lewis Cook, Dango Outtara, Marcus Tavernier, Ryan Fredericks, and Alex Scott all guaranteed to miss out due to injury.
Further questions surrounding Lloyd Kelly and Adam Smith persist, with an outside chance of passing late assessments trumped by the feeling they will not be fit for service in time. Expect no changes from the team that took a point against West Ham last time out.
