Bournemouth

Sam Davis
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth failed to gain any real momentum in either domestic cup competition this season, a real blow for Andoni Iraola, who has previously loved an exciting cup run.

Having said that, it's worth pondering whether having fewer games than many of their league rivals might actually work in the Cherries' favour.

Andoni's men are ninth in the Premier League and only three points off seventh.

It's incredibly tight, but dreams of European football for the first time on the south coast are again being whispered.

Only 10 points separates fifth-placed Chelsea and 12th-placed Fulham, so the fine margins of having fewer games could end up being just what Bournemouth need.

Plus, in those eight spots, six of the teams are still in other competitions, whether that be domestically, in Europe or even both.

With injuries always inevitably around the corner with three months of the season to go, depth and management of your squad will always be paramount and the Cherries will have fewer games than most to manoeuvre around that.

Bournemouth have had their fair share of absentees this campaign but have recently restored Tyler Adams, Ryan Christie and David Brooks to their matchday squad.

There are also reports that both Marcus Tavernier and Ben Gannon-Doak are not far away from being back available for the team, so the options at his disposal are starting to look that bit more appetising for Andoni.

Therefore, a strong finish to the season is certainly a realistic expectation as it stands.

The club had a flirt with those European spots last season and many felt that an injury pile-up and lack of squad depth really hampered chances.

Could this time around be different?

Maybe, just maybe, its OK for the Cherries faithful to dream again!

Find more from Sam Davis at Back of the Net, external

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Recently, Liverpool and the Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk said former players-turned-pundits have a responsibility when discussing the performances of the current generation of footballers.

He believes they can stray into "clickbait" and have a possible impact on players' mental health.

On Thursday's episode of the More than the Score podcast, former Scotland international Pat Nevin and chief sports editor for Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf Marcel van der Kraan join John Bennett to discuss and analyse the modern world of punditry and the impact it can have on players and managers alike.

"As a player you do tend to take it to heart, especially when it feels a little personal," said Nevin.

"Generally, it isn't personal and the pundit is just having their opinion and we all kind of know where the lines are. But, the lines have been jumped over more often in recent years and I think Van Dijk is right about that.

"Because of the clickbait, it is so much easier to get more likes, views and work if you're a little bit more extreme. Ex-players aren't stupid and they know that. If you are too sensible and sit on the fence you won't get the big gigs.

"You have a dichotomy. Most ex-players would like to be balanced but they know if they are too balanced and sensible they won't be there next week.

"My criticism would always be constructive criticism which is explained. One-dimensional labeling of players should never happen. Sometimes if a big name says something enough it becomes accepted wisdom."

Van der Kraan added: "There are two different kinds of pundits; those who need to be on every week and those who are genuinely focused on what is right and what players should do.

"For Van Dijk, after so many years enough is enough.

"It all started after he came into the Netherlands team and became a big player at Liverpool. The first ex-player to really criticise him was Marco van Basten, saying he was not a leader. Van Dijk was biting his lip after every match because it became a bit of a stigma.

"Eventually it filtered to England and every time he had a bad game it became an open nerve."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your views on Alex Jimenez meeting the appearance threshold required to make his loan from AC Milan permanent.

Here are some of your comments:

Robbie: Alex Jimenez has come on leaps and bounds since arriving as a talented but wild player in the summer. We have been looking for a successor to Adam Smith for a few years and everyone must be delighted we have one. One of the most exciting players at the club, from full-back! Well happy this is done.

Miguel: A great fit for the Cherries - Jimenez is quick, intelligent and committed. The board have excelled themselves again with their scouting. As for our manager Andoni Iraola, leave him alone, he is not for sale.

Steve: What an absolute gift of a signing. Our recruitment team of Pinto and Francis unearthed an absolute gem in Alex Jimenez and the Spaniard has gone from strength to strength putting in some sensational performances. Nailed on for Spanish caps and a big move in years to come. We will enjoy him while we can!

Lewis: Up there already for POTS for me, passion and class. Very happy for this be made permanent, true talent.

Harry: Great news that this has now become permanent and I can properly fall in love with him now he's not a loan player. Has a little to learn still on decision-making sometimes but my god he has passion. Love the way he interacts with the fans and gets so driven when on the pitch. Reminds me of a lad you'd play Sunday league with who was a bit of a loose cannon, amazingly talented and never stopped running.

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth right-back Alex Jimenez has met the appearance threshold required to make his loan from AC Milan permanent.

The defender, who has quickly become a fan favourite on the south coast, has now featured in more than half of the club's competitive fixtures triggering a deal that runs until 2031.

Bournemouth's president of football operations Tiago Pinto said: "Alex is a young talent, who has already demonstrated his energy and commitment to the squad during these opening months with the club.

"He has incredible pedigree, having begun his development at both Real Madrid and AC Milan. We're delighted to have him as part of our project, which began last summer and now continues after the obligation was triggered."

Cherries, fans how do you feel about Jimenez's move becoming permanent? And just how good has he been for you so far?

Get in touch with your views here

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

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It was not a heist on the scale of the corresponding match last season when Bournemouth trailed Everton 2-0 going into the 87th minute and somehow burgled all three points, but Tuesday's 2-1 win at Hill Dickinson Stadium allowed the Cherries to show other sides of their character.

The game hinged on an eight-minute spell in which Andoni Iraola's side scored twice and then saw the Toffees reduced to 10 men as defender Jake O'Brien was sent off for a professional foul.

Seeing the two sides line up against each other physically, the away fans may have feared the worst, given Bournemouth's struggles at defending set-pieces, coupled with Everton's obvious height advantage.

But with unpredictability something of a theme in Bournemouth's season, they won it with two headed goals – both from wingers.

That still left a nervy last 20 minutes as Everton belied their numerical disadvantage to ramp up the pressure in search of an equaliser – but despite a season where they have conceded a few late goals (including Jack Grealish's winner in the reverse fixture at Vitality Stadium), the Cherries rear-guard held firm.

Earning praise from supporters and manager alike was James Hill, who has had to wait patiently for his chance since being signed from Fleetwood four years ago, and watched several other central defenders signed and played ahead of him.

But at a ground which fans joked should be called "James Hill Stadium", the 24-year-old showed the £1m paid to the 'Cod Army' in 2022 was a snip by today's standards.

With 37 points from 26 games, surely not even the most pessimistic fan could claim Bournemouth are in any relegation danger now. And while no-one is getting carried away with where they might finish, having taken 14 points from a possible 18 since early January, they have earned the right to look up, rather than down.

Pundits Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Somers to bring you the action and talking points from Tuesday's and Wednesday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

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On the latest episode of Cherries: Unpicked, former player John Williams praised the defensive partnership between Argentine centre-back Marcos Senesi and England's James Hill: "I have been watching Hill's career and Marcos Senesi, who is a real steady head at around 30.

"I have said it before but when you are a centre-half and you get to 30, it's like somebody opens the curtains, and you're like wow, you don't have to go running out there to get it, just wait for it to come to you. You don't have to crash, bang and fight to win headers, just make a little hole for yourself and you'll get in there. All these things come to you when you reach that age.

"I hope that with Hilly there, some of the things from Senesi will rub off and they will make a good partnership."

Listen to the full episode here

Explore all Bournemouth content on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's Premier League game between Everton and Bournemouth.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Harry: I watched David Moyes football for 11 years and was bored off my head, now I have to watch dithering Dave football again! It's just not good enough. We know some players are not up to the job but this is the best squad we have had in years and they don't know what they are supposed to do. What kind of football are we playing? The supporters are fed up.

Percy: Disappointing at home again. Left-back and striker still a weakness. Any idea why Patterson does not play? We all want Barry to succeed but he's clearly a long-term development prospect. We played better with 10 men on the pitch. A decent season in comparison to previous years and looking up rather than down, which is great. But now it's how to cement a place in the top half and put in more complete 90-minute performances. Easier said than done in this league.

Stuart: Story of our season in this game. Poor at home, don't take our chances, can't defend from full-back positions and a stupid red card. So frustrating.

Tony: Poor team selection cost us again. With a centre-half playing at right-back and getting sent off while we have a right-back unused, sitting on the bench. We and Bournemouth got what was deserved. I don't agree with the new stadium narrative.

Bournemouth fans

James: We deserved the win overall despite not playing well. Everton didn't turn up until the last 20 minutes, ironically after going down to 10 men. One of the seasons' success stories is James Hill stepping into the defensive void left in the summer. The £1m signing from Fleetwood is keeping his place above some expensive signings. Jimenez too played well as he always does. Another three points. Up the Cherries!

Drew: Gutsy performance in front of a baying crowd - showed real quality and took well deserved three points. What a player Hill is!

Tim: Nobody deserved that Player of the Match more than James Hill. He fought for his place in this team and each match proves why he deserves to stay in it. Our defensive displays give me hope; a stark contrast to the beginning of the season when Diakite was struggling to find his feet. That Brentford defeat was the turning point.

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Bournemouth defender Adrien Truffert has been speaking to BBC Radio Solent about their 2-1 comeback win at Everton.

The Cherries trailed 1-0 at half-time but goals from Rayan - assisted by a Truffert cross - and Amine Adli turned it around.

Speaking about boss Andoni Iraola's half-time team talk, Truffert said: "He told us to be better, to be stronger, to play quicker and I think this is what we did. The win is important for us."

And on using his weaker right foot to set up Rayan's goal, he said: "Sometimes I can use it. Not every time - but sometimes.

"If I want to be better I need to do more assists

"But I try to do my best every time. If I can do assists every game I will do assists every game, but sometimes it's difficult."

Listen to the full interview here

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

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He may only be three games into his Premier League career, but Rayan already looks like he could be one of the signings of the season.

Andoni Iraola's side saw off competition from several other European clubs to sign the 19-year-old, who replaced Antoine Semenyo after his £65m move to Manchester City.

The early signs are that the teenager possesses the same work-rate and eye for goal as his Ghanaian predecessor.

By adding to his assist on his debut against Wolves and his goal against Aston Villa on Saturday, Rayan became just the third teenager in Premier League history to provide a goal or assist in each of his first three appearances.

The first was Robbie Keane in 1999, before Anthony Martial repeated the feat in 2015.

The only blot on Rayan's start to life at Bournemouth was the penalty he conceded after losing control of the ball while trying to dribble out of his own box.

"Some decisions you have to accept when the player is so young at 19 and it is his first week with us," Iraola told BBC Match of the Day.

"He showed character, personality, he hasn't been affected. I've liked what I have seen from him character wise. He has started really well."

Hill produced another solid display in his first season as a regular starter in the heart of defence, and it was his aerial ability that set up Adli for the winner.

Only Aston Villa (18) and Sunderland (16) have rescued more points from losing positions in the Premier League this season than Bournemouth (14).

After a run of 11 league games without a win during November and December, Iraola's side appear to be back on track.

Liverpool are at the front of clubs eyeing a summer move for Bournemouth's 19-year-old forward Eli Junior Kroupi. (Caught Offside), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We are in a good run of results. Probably today was not our best performance but we got the win today where we have not been brilliant.

On Rayan's performance after giving away the penalty: "Some decision you have to accept when the player is so young at 19 and it is his first week with us. He showed character, personality, hasn't been affected. I've liked what I have seen from him character wise. He has started really well.

"I think it is still too early. We know that he has some good offensive things and we have to help him develop other things. We see him more as a winger and we have to help him in this process."

On James Hill's player of the match performance: "Hilly has been fundamental for us because Everton are such a threat with aerial balls. He was the first one to deal with the first balls."

Did you know?

• Bournemouth winger Rayan (2 goals, 1 assist) became just the third teenager in Premier League history to have a goal or assist in each of his first three appearances, after Robbie Keane and Anthony Martial.

• The Cherries have scored at least once in each of their last 11 Premier League games, only ever enjoying a longer run in the competition between December 2017 and April 2018 (14).

Hear more from Iraola on BBC Sounds

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Everton's performance

What did you make of Bournemouth's display?

Come back on Wednesday for a selection of your replies

David Moyes makes two changes to the Everton side that came from behind to beat Fulham on Saturday.

Jarrod Branthwaite makes his first home league start of the season in place of Michael Keane, while Tyrique George makes his home debut in place of Harrison Armstrong.

Everton XI: Pickford, O'Brien, Tarkowski (c), Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Garner, Gueye, George, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye, Barry.

Subs: Patterson, Beto, Keane, Iroegbunam, Armstrong, Travers, Dibling, Alcaraz, Rohl.

Image source, Premier League

There are two changes for Bournemouth after Andoni Iraola's side drew 1-1 with Aston Villa.

Ryan Christie and Alex Toth come into the side, with Lewis Cook and top scorer Junior Kroupi dropping to the bench.

Tyler Adams is named among the substitutes after almost two months out with a knee injury.

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert, Scott, Toth, Christie (c), Adli, Rayan, Evanilson.

Subs: Brooks, Kroupi, Cook, Smith, Unal, Diakite, Mandas, Milosavljevic, Adams.

There are four games in the Premier League on Tuesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Chelsea v Leeds

• Everton v Bournemouth

• Tottenham v Newcastle

• West Ham v Manchester United (20:15)

Kick-off times 19:30 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

And listen to Around The Grounds on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds from 19:00

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Tom Jordan
Fan writer

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The year didn't start too favourably for the Cherries as they had to accept life without their star man, Antoine Semenyo, after the big boys at Manchester City came calling.

Therefore, it was time for Bournemouth's recruitment team to find a new star for the south coast faithful to enjoy.

Step forward, Rayan - a teenage Brazilian, brought in from Vasco Da Gama - a lad who had received plenty of praise for his showings at such a young age in his native country.

A direct and aggressive attacker who can play anywhere in the frontline was just what the doctor ordered for the Cherries, and he was exactly the mould of player that head coach Andoni Iraola would have wanted, ensuring that he would undoubtedly be thrilled to have him at his disposal.

He was first utilised as an impact sub at Wolves, having just arrived at the club, and he got Bournemouth fans off their seats in an instant, with a powerful run seeing Rayan lay the ball on a plate to the oncoming Alex Scott to seal the points and his first assist.

Andoni obviously saw enough to then start the Brazilian star-boy in the next game at home to Aston Villa, and boy did he deliver. A display full of energy, confidence and flair was rounded off by a superb goal on his home debut, the perfect way to introduce yourself to the home supporters.

There is clearly a lot to get excited about, and the ceiling feels remarkably high, with a £100m release clause reportedly set in his Bournemouth contract, solidifying that narrative.

With those rousing Brazilian vibes now spreading across the south coast, the Cherries could well be in for a thrilling end to the season, so watch this space!

Find more from Tom Jordan at Back of the Net, external

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

Tuesday night's encounter between Everton and Bournemouth sees two of the Premier League's form sides - both unbeaten in their last five - meet at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton have lost just once since Christmas, a run that has coincided with striker Thierno Barry finding his shooting boots. The former France Under-21 international found the net just once in his first 20 appearances for the Toffees following a £27m move from Villarreal but has shown his worth recently with four in his last eight – only three players have scored more since Christmas.

Another summer signing enjoying something of a purple patch is midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who also has four goals in his last eight league appearances, as many as he scored in his first 82 games in the division.

Fine margins for Moyes' men

David Moyes' side, currently in eighth position with faint hopes of a push for the European spots, could perhaps have done with a little more luck to turn some of their recent draws into wins.

They've hit the woodwork 11 times in the league this season, with only Manchester United (18) and Newcastle (14) doing so more often. Indeed, Everton have hit the bar or the post in four of their last five league games.

Everton's home form has been consistently inconsistent this season, with four wins, four draws and four losses at their new stadium. A 1-0 win at the Vitality Stadium in December means they are looking to complete the league double over Bournemouth for the very first time.

Moyes also has a strong record against this opposition, with five wins and four draws in his 10 top-flight meetings with the Cherries - among sides he's faced 10 or more times in the competition, he has only lost a lower percentage against Sunderland and Birmingham City.

Cherries on the climb

Only Manchester United and Chelsea can boast a better points tally in the last five games than Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth, who have moved from 15th to 11th place since the turn of the year.

Teenage forward Rayan, a £24.7m January arrival from Vasco da Gama, has made an immediate impact. The Brazil Under-20 international followed up an assist for Alex Scott on his debut with the equaliser in last week's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, making him the youngest South American to register goal involvements in each of his first two Premier League appearances.

Iraola's fresh-faced team – all three of Bournemouth's youngest-ever top-flight starting XIs have come in the past five months – have been playing with an energy recently that has resulted in three stoppage-time goals since January.

Trips to Merseyside have not proven fruitful for the Cherries though, with just two wins in a combined 17 league visits to Everton and Liverpool. Troublingly for Iraola, not one of those games has seen them keep a clean sheet.

The long midweek trip north from the Dorset coast could also take its toll on Bournemouth; they've won just one of their last eight league games to take place on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, though that victory did come in their last such match against Spurs in January.

Everton did well to fight back to beat Fulham late on at the weekend, but they could have been more than just a goal down at the break, while Bournemouth were unlucky only to draw with Aston Villa. They peppered Villa's goal with shots.

I am going to go a bit left-field here because although Everton beat Bournemouth earlier in the season, it was only thanks to a late deflected effort by Jack Grealish.

I usually back Everton at home, and I'm usually wrong... so I am going to do something different this time. I am backing Bournemouth to pinch it.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Bournemouth are planning to offer 19-year-old forward Eli Junior Kroupi a lucrative new contract in a bid to ward off interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs, including Chelsea, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Paris St-Germain. (Sun), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

George Booth
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Because of the quick turnaround after the Cherries' 1-1 draw against Aston Villa, Iraola said it is "difficult to have the same starting 11" to face David Moyes' Everton.

• Bournemouth midfielder Ben Gannon-Doak, who last featured for Iraola in November 2025 will start to run this week after sustaining a hamstring injury whilst on international duty with Scotland.

• On Gannon-Doak's injury, Iraola said: "He is a little bit later on, especially more than Tyler [Adams] and Tav [Marcus Tavernier]. He is starting this week to run on his own. It is an injury we don't want to take any risks, in the sense that he is a very young player. We don't just need him for these games, we need him for a lot of years. March at the moment is when we can start thinking about him."

• Iraola said he's "excited" to visit the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but expects a "difficult" game against the Toffees. "I am looking forward to seeing the stadium and seeing the atmosphere," said Iraola.

• On Everton, Iraola added: "I hope we are at the level as they're in a very good moment, and it is going to be very demanding. Sometimes it is difficult to open the games against them as defensively, they are so solid. They are very strong in set-plays, and they have three defenders that lead in aerial duels. I hope we can control the game and not give them as many chances to threaten our box."

• Bournemouth full-back Adrien Truffert has made 58 overlapping runs this season, the most of any player in the Premier League, but Iraola says his next "challenge" is adding more assists to his game. "He has a lot of presence in the last third and the volume is always there. It happened similar with Milos [Kerkez]. He was arriving a lot and not getting the assists," added Iraola.

Hear more from Iraola on BBC Sounds

Follow all of Monday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Ask BBC Sport a question about Bournemouth and we'll put them to our experts

Alex Jimenez will complete a 19.5m euros (£16.9m) move from AC Milan to Bournemouth on a five-and-a-half-year contract after the full-back's latest appearance for the Cherries activated an obligation to buy in his loan deal. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column, external

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A new episode of Cherries: Unpicked is available to download and listen to now on BBC Sounds.

Jordan Clark and Joe Partington react to the Cherries making it five games unbeaten in the Premier League with a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.

New signing Rayan scored on his full debut for the Cherries, and Chairman Bill Foley made a surprise appearance.

Listen to the full episode here

Explore all Bournemouth content on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth fans

Lee: Only one team wanted to win this game! Great effort from the Cherries - Alex Scott and James Hill were immense and Emiliano Martinez had to be at his best to keep Villa in the game. Great point and we move on to Everton on Tuesday!

Malcolm: Another top team performance from Andoni Iraola's boys. We have so much talent in the squad and all players are stepping up, including the newer signings. A win looked on the cards but Martinez's performance was top class. Happy days on the south coast.

Roger: A brilliant home debut and goal for Rayan. Given more time being coached by our brilliant manager Iraola, I think he could be better than Antoine Semenyo.

Paul: Very proud of Bournemouth. Time and time again, we push to win games rather than settle for the draw. Villa showed so much less ambition considering their title and Champions League aspirations. Also, I loved seeing the composure and elegance in the play of Scott, Hill and Lewis Cook. All three should be closely looked at for England duty.

Villa fans

Mossy: I think the Villa are in for a long, hard run-in. I really hope we can hang in there for a Champions League spot, but with Manchester United deciding they like their new manager and Chelsea pushing hard, let alone Liverpool, it's going to be very hard to stay in there. We've lost our drive and vision in John McGinn and Youri Tielemans, and our anchor in Boubacar Kamara. You just can't replace all three of them together. Thankfully we have Morgan Rogers up front doing everything he can to drag us home. A decent point, though, against a good team at their ground.

Martyn: This performance was another reality check. The fact is our squad just isn't good enough to maintain our lofty position and the big boys are about to take over the top spots. Fifth place is now a realistic target, which might be vital to retain the services of Unai Emery.

Prit: With the exception of fantastic games by Martinez and Rogers, Villa were not at the races and played like this was a pre-season match. Bournemouth wanted the match more and, in all fairness, deserved the win. Villa seem to have forgotten how to pass the ball to another player and the intensity we had before Christmas has simply evaporated.

Phil: Poor game management by Emery. Too defensive with Tyrone Mings and Lucas Digne starting. Slow to replace Ollie Watkins, who looks leggy. Please sell Leon Bailey and persist with Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott. Martinez saved the day more than once.