Andoni Iraola on AFC Bournemouth’s Mark Travers vs Chelsea
ANDONI Iraola was pleased with Mark Travers’ performance against Chelsea.
The Irish stopper came into the AFC Bournemouth starting-11 on Saturday as Chelsea-loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga was ineligible to play against his parent club.
The Cherries boss told the Daily Echo that he thought Travers was very good, despite not being as busy as he may have thought he would be before the game.
- AFC Bournemouth fall to late defeat at home to Chelsea
Iraola said: “Probably he didn’t have the job he expected against Chelsea, because when you play against Chelsea, you expect, I remember past season, I think 0-0 here, they had many more chances against us, many more.
READ MORE: Andoni Iraola on AFC Bournemouth’s chance creation and finishing
ANDONI Iraola believes as long as his Cherries side continues to create chances, his forwards will score goals, with Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez the difference on Saturday.
AFC Bournemouth were unable to find the back of the net against Chelsea, despite having much the better of the clash.
The hosts had 19 shots to Chelsea’s 10, with seven of those on target compared to the Blues’ three.
Cherries also saw chances hit the woodwork, with Tavernier hitting the bar early on and Christie seeing his effort saved onto the post by Sanchez in the second half.
Iraola told the Daily Echo after the game that he and his coaching staff trust the players they have up front.
“I think my worry is to continue creating chances,” he said.
As long as we continue creating chances, we have good players up front.
“I’m not going to tell Tavernier hit, instead of the crossbar, two centimetres lower. No, he knows, he tries.
“[On Ryan Christie’s effort that struck the post] I think Robert Sanchez touches that ball. I think it’s an amazing save from the keeper.
“The keeper for me has been the difference maker today with a penalty, especially with that save to Ryan Christie.
“When you play against this, the keeper, defenders, forwards, you have to be very good and clinical and don’t make big mistakes and a lot of things you need to have the reward against these kinds of teams.
Cherries attempted a number of shots from distance, and when asked if this was a specific tactic Iraola had asked for from his players, he said: “I think we have good players to shoot from outside [the box].
“I think also Chelsea blocked very good shots that at the end they don’t finish, but they were very, very good blocks at the end, it’s the quality of the defending also, I think we have to continue trying.
“I think I remember a very good one from a free kick from Antoine. The cross was from Tav[ernier]. Ryan arriving.
“[Lewis Cook] Lew has had a couple of very good shots. [We] haven’t scored, but we have to keep trying.”
Cherries next travel to Anfield to face Liverpool next Saturday.
