Bournemouth Echo

The boss spoke on that, as well as other team news, the team’s form and their opponents in Spurs.

Read every word from the broadcast section of Iraola’s press conference here.

Jeremy Langdon (Sky Sports News): Bad news about Justin Kluivert’s knee surgery. I mean, how bad is it? Is he out for the season?

Andoni Iraola: Yes, as you said, bad news about Justin. I think he asked for the change the game against Arsenal. In the moment it didn't look as bad when the game ended, but next morning he came with a very swollen knee. We did the MRI and he has a knee injury. He will need surgery and the time out will depend on what happens in the surgery. He will have surgery Thursday and depending what they decide to do, will be. But it will be months. It can be more months or less months, depending how they approach the surgery. But yes, definitely very bad news.

JL: Is it meniscus, ACL?

AI: No, no, it's not ligament related. It's the knee capsule, the patella. Probably I'm not a doctor, I'm not the best one to explain it, but what I've been told is they will open, they will see what they can do and depending if sometimes they decide to repair it and it's more time, maybe if it's not as bad, they just clean it and it's less time. But definitely some considerable injury. I cannot tell you exactly the length and probably after the surgery Thursday, next time we talk, I can be more precise. But yes, he will be definitely out for some time.

JL: And will this mean you have to go into the market to look for a replacement?

AI: Yes, yes. We already needed to go to the market because we have needs in other positions. Also with some players having surgeries. Now with that one more need. Yes, definitely. We are in a delicate situation, I would say because we are missing important players.

JL: Is there any other injury news, selection news you can tell us for this game?

AI: No, I think at the end we are playing every three days. Doesn't change a lot from one game to the other. No, I think from the positive news, let's say, Veljko has started training with us already. Milosavljevic so he is the closest one to recover.

JL: And just to confirm Antoine Semenyo is in the squad and will play.

AI: Yes, yes. Antoine will play tomorrow. Yes.

JL: A lot of people are wondering whether this is his last Bournemouth game. What can you say?

AI: I can give you my opinion from my experience, but there is nothing signed with Antoine Semenyo. If you ask me personally, what do you think? With all the noise and this, I think could be the last game, but I cannot guarantee it. Yes, you know, it’s like my personal opinion, because I understand the market, I understand the noise, but right now there is. There is nothing agreed, there is nothing signed. So for me is our player and I hope he continues. But my understanding also, because I've been in other markets before, in this club and in others, there is a chance it's his last game also. Yes.

JL: And it also is 26th birthday tomorrow, so potentially his last game for Bournemouth on his 26th birthday. I mean, what kind of tribute would you pay to him? Because he's been a great player for you, hasn't he?

AI: Yes. I didn't know it was his birthday. I think he has been very professional. He has dealt with this situation, whatever it happens, I think very well. He's always been ready to play, to give everything, and. And I want him to play very well tomorrow and let's see what happens later. But I can only speak very well about him personally and professionally. And his commitment has never really been in doubt.

JL: I mean, if he does go, it leaves you a bit of a problem. He's your leading scorer. Can you really replace him in this window?

AI: No, definitely, I don't want to lose him. I said it a lot of times. And he's a player that is, even in any circumstances, almost impossible to replace. Even in a winter market is even more difficult. But I don't want to anticipate anything. Let's see if it happens at the end or doesn't happen. But right now I have to say the truth. And right now is our player and continues to be our player. And it's not that we are waiting for, you know, the game to happen to. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow or the next two, three days. But I passed before coming here just to tell me. Otherwise I will look foolish there talking about Antoine and then. And that's the situation today in this moment of the day.

JL: But there are Bournemouth fans who are going to come here tomorrow wondering if they're going to see Antoine Semenyo for the last time in a Bournemouth shirt. So what would you say to those fans?

AI: I don't have an answer for them. I can give what I think and I cannot be more honest. You know, my opinion is that there is big chances. It's his last game. But if you ask me right now, right now, there is no agreement, nothing signed with any club.

JL: It's been an interesting few days in the Premier League. Obviously, Ruben Amorim has lost his job at Manchester United, another big departure. What do you make of that?

AI: For me, it's very difficult. We have enough problems right now here to talk about other situations. No, I think December, January is always a difficult moment of the season in the Premier League. Now we'll see. I am complaining about injuries, but you see other players, even we are playing Spurs. They have their injuries. City, they have I don't know how many players. Everyone has his problems and definitely no one in United cares what they say about them.

JL: And your problem is no win in 11 games. So how badly do you need to win this one?

AI: We definitely need points. Need points. Because at the end we are, I think, we can tell that we are performing better or worse. I think we are coming from good games, but we haven't won. And at the end, for being in a better position. You need to win. You need to win. Yes.

JL: Only three more teams have conceded more goals than you in the Premier League. This is a big problem, isn't it? So how do you solve this?

AI: Yes, it's quite easy to see our problems. I think we are one of the teams who scores more goals and one of the teams that receives more goals, it’s like this. The problem is we are not conceding as many chances lately. But I was reading the other day, I think Arsenal had like expected goals of one and scored three goals. It's okay, they are very good. But when it happens consistently is that we are doing things that are not the right ones in the boxes especially. I think we are conceding some cutbacks, both of the Declan Rice goals. I think there are situations that we need to deal better inside our box because we are not considering as many dangerous situations against to consider the number of goals we are considering.

JL: Tottenham you did beat earlier in the season. What do you make of them at the moment? They're not playing that well. Do you sense you have a real chance in this game?

AI: I think Tottenham are a very good team. Very well coached. I think they have in some departments they are very good. I think they've scored, I think ten corners or something like this. So this means, I think more than third of the goals come from. From corners also very good crossing from outside. They have, I don't know, players who deliver very, very quality crosses, good finishes. Good number nines. And probably they've been struggling more at home than away. I think away they've been having better results and another tough challenge for us. No, but it's true that there is no easy game in the Premier League. So you have to give everything in every game. We already have the experience and we know how much it takes to just win one point in the Premier League. So we have to give everything we have.

JL: Just finally, for me, you are one of the most highly regarded managers in the Premier League in a really short space of time. Your contract's up at the end of this season. There are big clubs now like Manchester United, who are looking for a new manager. How do you feel about Bournemouth and how do you feel about your contract situation and your ambition?

AI: Actually, you were asking me now one question ago. No, that we've been, I think 11 games, just five points we have in 11 games, you know, so that's my worry. That's what is giving me thoughts at night. No other situation, believe me. Right now we are in a very delicate position, more than in the standings or in the points, I think like numbers wise, very uncertainty in this market. This is what I'm really worried about. Yes.

Paul Belverstone (Premier League Productions): With the goals you mentioned about conceding cutbacks and things, how difficult is it at this time of year, especially to work on those things when it's game, game, game, game, game.

AI: I think now we are using basically videos, a little bit outside. But you cannot burn the legs of the players training. No, because also we don't have a big number of players right now. So the ones that are available, I think they are playing a big number of minutes. So now it's about recovery. But they have to realise that we are probably considering situations and considering goals from situations that. And we should be dealing with them better. Also, we have to understand, we have been without Tyler, without Lewis Cook, without Ryan Christie for now a considerable period of time are probably the players that you want on those positions. But I appreciate a lot what I think players like Tav or Alex Scott, because we are needing them in probably more defensive positions that they are used to play and they are doing very well. I think

PB: They are filling in very well, I looked into the stats over those three players you mentioned. Cook, Tyler Adams, Ryan Christie. They had 80 Premier League starts between them last season. Between them, they haven't managed 20 this season. So there's been all this talk about how difficult it's been losing four of your five at the back. How significant have those absences been in the middle.

AI: Yes, the facts are the facts. You said the facts. You know, there is a reason why it's costing us a lot this season. But I'm here and we are here to find solutions, to identify the problems. And it's quite easy, but we have to find solutions with the players that we have now available. I'm very, very happy with the attitude of the players. For me, it would be easier if I thought, okay, we haven't come in the right mindset. We haven't been on it, we haven't tried, we haven't run enough. No, I think the players are giving everything, but definitely we need to improve. I think there have been a couple of games, probably Brentford away especially, where we definitely were not on it, and the mentality to approach the game was not there, but have been the exceptions in other games. I really liked how they started the game against Arsenal. I really liked how they approach the game against Chelsea, the last ones. My belief is that in that mindset, even with those problems that we are having with other players, result will come.

PB: We've often thought almost enjoy longer spells against teams who are more adventurous and you can sort of open the game up and cause chaos, as we’ve mentioned. Are you expecting a less adventurous opponent tomorrow?

AI: Yes, I think they've had everything, but most of their games have been quite controlled. Every goal is very important against them. To score first against them, I think is key, it’s always important. But especially against Spurs for the way they play and how they perform when they are winning, they are losing and this. But I suppose they will think the same and we will try to start strong.

PB: Is there any news on Ryan Christie? Any sort of expectation of when he'll be back?

AI: I don't think he's going to be back tomorrow, but it's a matter of feelings with him. It's a matter of when he tells us, okay, I feel better. I don't feel pain when I hit the ball because he's running, he's sprinting, no problem. But he still has some issues kicking the ball. And you have to kick the ball to play football. You have to do it. So I think we still need a little bit more of time with him.

PB: And for all the bad news about injuries and players that you're missing. Did Amine Adli show glimpses that he's against Arsenal, that he's becoming more comfortable in the Premier League?

AI: I think the more minutes he plays, the better he is going to look and the best is going to be for him. We are asking a lot of new players to adapt quickly. Some of them have adapted more quickly if you want. Others probably it’s taking them more time. But I think he wants to and when you want, I think, with the help of everyone, I think he will definitely find a way. I think his attitude is the right one. We trust his capabilities. So now, especially, in a moment where we don't have all the players available, everyone will be needed.

Semenyo’s £65million release clause runs until January 10, with Manchester City reportedly leading the race for his signature.

He played against Arsenal at the weekend, and Iraola said he will feature once again for Bournemouth on Wednesday at the Vitality Stadium.

Asked about Semenyo, Iraola said: “Antoine will play tomorrow, yes.”

He continued: “I can give you my opinion from my experience, but there is nothing signed with Antoine Semenyo. If you ask me personally, what do you think?

“With all the noise and this, I think it could be the last game, but I cannot guarantee it. It’s like my personal opinion, because I understand the market, I understand the noise, but right now there is nothing agreed, there is nothing signed.

“So for me he is our player and I hope he continues. But my understanding also, because I've been in other markets before, in this club and in others, there is a chance it's his last game also.”

Iraola praised Semenyo’s professionalism in recent weeks, as the Ghanaian’s final game for Bournemouth could be set for his 26th birthday.

“I think he has been very professional,” he said.

“He has dealt with this situation, whatever happens, I think very well. He's always been ready to play, to give everything, and I want him to play very well tomorrow and let's see what happens later.

“But I can only speak very well about him personally and professionally. And his commitment has never really been in doubt.”

On replacing Semenyo in the transfer window, Iraola said: “Definitely I don't want to lose him. I’ve said it a lot of times.

“And he's a player that is, even in any circumstances, almost impossible to replace. Even in a winter market it’s even more difficult. But I don't want to anticipate anything.

“Let's see if it happens at the end or doesn't happen. But right now I have to say the truth and right now he is our player and continues to be our player.

“And it's not that we are waiting for, the game to happen, I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow or the next two, three days.

“But I’ve asked before coming here just to tell me, otherwise I will look foolish there talking about Antoine and then [he leaves]. And that's the situation today in this moment of the day.”

Asked about his message to the fans wondering if they will be watching Semenyo for the final time in a Cherries shirt on Wednesday, Iraola said: “I don't have an answer for them. I can give what I think and I cannot be more honest.

“My opinion is that there is a big chance it's his last game. But if you ask me right now, right now, there is no agreement, nothing signed with any club.”

Andoni Iraola’s side produced arguably their best performance of the season as they beat the then-unbeaten Tottenham away from home back in August.

Evanilson opened his account for the campaign at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the only goal of the game – and he’ll be hoping to score in another Cherries win when Thomas Frank’s side visit this week.

The Daily Echo previews Wednesday’s game.

Team news

Iraola will hope that his side progressed through Saturday’s game against Arsenal unscathed, with no injury substitutions in the game.

Lewis Cook returned to the bench after a neck issue, and came on with 16 minutes to play, meaning it is just the long-term absentees that Iraola will be without.

That sees Ben Gannon-Doak, Tyler Adams and Veljko Milosavljevic ruled out, with Will Dennis added to that list at the end of last week.

Ryan Christie has missed the past two games as he continues to struggle with a knee injury, although he may be back in contention on Wednesday.

For Spurs, James Maddison, Destiny Udogie, Mohammed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski are all out with injury, while former Cherry Dominic Solanke is also set to miss out.

Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma are at AFCON, while Wilson Odobert is a doubt and Xavi Simons returns from suspension.

Head-to-head

The Cherries have the better recent record against the North London club, winning two of the past three and drawing once.

Iraola’s side won 1-0 in this fixture last term, with Dean Huijsen the scorer of the only goal, before the sides drew 2-2 at Spurs in March – the Cherries not able to capitalise on their dominance and spurning a two-goal lead.

But they were able to make the most of their superiority in the game earlier this season, with Bournemouth restricting their hosts to just five shots all game – and all of them in the second half.

Evanilson’s early goal was the difference as the visitors kept their hosts well at bay and returned to Dorset with all three points.

Form

The Cherries continued their poor run of results at the weekend when they were beaten 3-2 by Arsenal.

That saw their run without a win extend to eleven games, but the past two performances have been good in a 2-2 draw with Chelsea and that loss to Arsenal, responding to a poor 4-1 defeat at Brentford.

Spurs, meanwhile, are on not the best run of form either, with two wins in their last six games.

They are unbeaten in three, after they beat Crystal Palace at the end of December and have started 2026 with a 0-0 draw against Brentford and a 1-1 draw at home vs Sunderland.

AFC Bournemouth host Tottenham Hotspur at the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday, January 7, kick off at 7.30pm.

The right back went down after 25 minutes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and he was immediately replaced by James Hill.

After the game, Andoni Iraola confirmed that the 34-year-old had picked up a hamstring injury.

The boss told the Daily Echo: “The worst news of today's game.

“I think Adam knows his body very well. Straight away he went to the floor and he told us it was a hamstring injury.

“So we have to assess him, see if it's a grade one, grade two, whatever. But he will be out, he will be out for some weeks.

“It's true that we have this international break and probably it’s not the worst moment. But yes, it's a muscle injury, hamstring injury and he will be out.”

Tottenham Hotspur have started the season well under new boss Thomas Frank, but Andoni Iraola’s side will be hopeful of ending their perfect start to the campaign.

The Daily Echo previews Saturday’s game in the capital.

Team news

Iraola will be hopeful of having the same players available to him as on Tuesday night, with only two long-term absentees in Lewis Cook and Enes Unal, although Cook may be able to return after the international break.

There have been no incomings between the two fixtures, while Chris Mepham looks set to join West Brom and there is interest in Hamed Traore.

Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert both started in midweek, so the pair, who returned from injury last weekend, may be in line to start at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Frank, meanwhile, will be without James Maddison, Radu Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski, Kota Takai, and Bryan Gil while Manor Solomon, Destiny Udogie and Yves Bissouma are doubts.

Head-to-head

Last season Iraola’s Cherries had the edge over Spurs, winning at home before drawing 2-2 away.

Dean Huijsen scored the only goal of the game last December at Dean Court, Bournemouth winning 1-0.

In March at Spurs, the Cherries led 2-0 after 65 minutes thanks to goals from Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson, but the hosts hit back.

Pape Matar Sarr got one back with 23 minutes to play, before Son Heung-Min converted from the penalty spot after he was brought down by Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Spurs have the overall better record against the Cherries, but Iraola and his side will take confidence from last season’s showings.

Form

The Cherries have had an up and down start to the season after three competitive games.

A good performance on the opening day at Liverpool in defeat was followed by a strong showing at home to beat Wolves 1-0.

But a disappointing outing followed, as they were knocked out of the League Cup by Brentford on Tuesday night.

Spurs, meanwhile, are two from two in the Premier League after they lost to PSG on penalties in the UEFA Super Cup before the league began.

They beat newly promoted Burnley 3-0 on the first day, before an impressive 2-0 away win at Manchester City last weekend.

AFC Bournemouth travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to face Spurs on Saturday, August 30, kick off at 3pm.

Tavernier scored after 42 minutes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, giving the visitors the lead at half time.

While the Englishman finished well to volley home at the far post, it was Milos Kerkez’s assist that gained plenty of plaudits for the goal.

Cherries lose two goal lead to take point at Spurs

The left back intercepted a Pedro Porro pass deep in the Cherries half and surged into Spurs territory.

The Hungarian had plenty of time to get his head up and put in an inch-perfect cross for the arriving Tavernier at the far post, from midway inside the Spurs half.

Tavernier’s goal is up against goals from Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella, Arsenal’s Declan Rice, Brighton’s Pervis Estupinan, Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga, Man City’s Omar Marmoush, Ipswich’s Jens Cajuste and Man United's Bruno Fernandes for the month’s award.

To vote, visit the Premier League website.

The Cherries led 2-0 thanks to goals from Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson, before Pape Matar Sarr got one back for the hosts at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

With six minutes to play Spurs drew level thanks to a Son Heung-Min penalty, after Kepa rushed out to challenge the South Korean and brought him down.

But the Cherries had created a number of good chances that they failed to take, including in the opening five minutes, and they had a goal disallowed early on in the second half.

Cherries lose two goal lead to take point at Spurs

Iraola told the Daily Echo: “We are disappointed.

“I think before coming here, probably it’s not the worst result, a point here.

“Difficult opposition, difficult stadium to play. But considering how the game has gone, our performance, definitely the feeling of losing two points.”

The Basque boss felt his side had played really well, but the overwhelming feeling was that they should have capitalised more on that strong showing.

“I think without the ball, we've created a lot of situations, offensive situations, starting from very good presses, recovering the ball very high,” Iraola said.

“Even the first five minutes, I think we go two times against the keeper, we don't score.

“We should have capitalised more. Even in the second half, I think on the ball, attacking the spaces really well.

“The transitions, I think they were expected, transitions for both teams, but I think ours were more clear.

“But at the end it’s one point for each team and we have to look at ourselves and we need to be more efficient because big teams and teams that achieve big things, they find ways to win, even in the games that haven't played well.

“And in our case, I think it's been the opposite. We are playing very well. You see the performance Brighton away, today away.

“And you get one point from these two games.

“There is a part of, okay, they are smart, they are fortunate, they scored the first goal, a little bit with luck.

“But there is a part where you have to take the value from the things that you are doing well and today we couldn't.”

Iraola said they cannot use the youth of the team for that instinct to find ways to win, saying: “We are a young team, it's true, but if you want to achieve things, you cannot use the excuse of we are young so it's normal.

“No, no. We need to be to increase our demands. You have to be demanding with ourselves.

“After if we don't arrive, we don't arrive. But I think it's a shame because the players are doing so many things so well that really not to get the points that I think we deserve is a shame.”

Bournemouth led at the break after a high energy first half, Tavernier finishing after some Milos Kerkez brilliance on the left to pick the Englishman out after a fine run up from the back from the Hungarian.

Evanilson gave the Cherries a two-goal advantage with a brilliant finish, before Pape Matar Sarr got a goal back for the hosts, his cross/shot finding the net off the far post.

Son Heung-Min then drew Spurs level to seal a point for the hosts, after he was brought down in the box by Kepa, the Korean converting from the penalty spot with six minutes to play.

Andoni Iraola made two changes from his side which beat Wolves in the FA Cup last weekend, as Ryan Christie was passed fit to start and Justin Kluivert returned to the starting XI.

Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou made six changes to his side which lost in the Europa League to AZ Alkmaar in midweek, including the return of former Cherry Dominic Solanke to the team.

It was a rapid start from the Cherries, going close to opening the scoring twice in the opening five minutes.

Inside the first minute, Evanilson cut out a Romero pass out from the back and had his shot one-on-one saved by Guglielmo Vicario.

Then, the Cherries press again caused problems for the hosts, Kluivert this time played in after the ball was won high up the pitch, Vicario again getting down to save.

Kepa saved from a drilled Pedro Porro cross and the Cherries immediately counterattacked, Kluivert brought down on the edge of the D, but Marcus Tavernier’s free kick struck the Spurs wall.

The game continued at a high pace but with fewer chances for the two sides, as Solanke had a flicked header easily caught by Kepa.

Milos Kerkez challenged Brennan Johnson brilliantly after he was played in behind, timing his tackle to perfection to put the ball behind for a corner.

And Kerkez was at his brilliant best to set up the Cherries opener three minutes from the interval.

The young Hungarian intercepted a Porro pass in the Bournemouth half and surged into Spurs territory, having time to get his head up and put in a pinpoint cross for Tavernier to slide in and finish at the back post.

Spurs made a bright start to the second period but the Cherries thought they had doubled their advantage on 52 minutes, a rapid counterattack finished off by Kluivert, but Antoine Semenyo was offside in the build-up.

Hill headed a Christie cross wide after a neat short corner, before Kerkez drew a good save out of Vicario with a powerful effort that was aimed at the top corner from a tight angle.

Evanilson doubled the Cherries lead after 65 minutes, played in behind beautifully by Kluivert and lifting a wonderful finish over the Spurs keeper.

The hosts got a goal back two minutes later, though, Pape Matar Sarr’s cross/shot going over the jumping Kepa before hitting the far post and going in.

Vicario had to slide in to clear the ball almost off his own line under pressure from Evanilson, before the Brazilian and Christie were replaced by Dango Ouattara and Alex Scott.

Kluivert struck the post after a quick counterattack saw the Cherries have a three-on-three, Tavernier playing in the Dutchman, his effort not falling to Ouattara after hitting the upright.

Dean Huijsen headed over the bar and then just wide from Cherries corners as the game entered the final 15 minutes.

Tavernier made way for David Brooks after 80 minutes, before Spurs drew themselves level from the penalty spot.

Son Heung-Min was played in on the Spurs left and Kepa rushed out, going to ground as the Korean went away from goal, referee John Brooks pointing to the spot and Son converting.

Luis Sinisterra replaced Semenyo as the game entered stoppage time, with neither team able to find a winner and the spoils were shared.

The Cherries now sit eighth in the Premier League on 44 points.

Spurs: 1, G. Vicario; 4, K. Danso; 23, P. Porro (D. Udogie 87’); 24, D. Spence; 17, C. Romero (c)(M. van de Ven 61’); 8, Y. Bissouma (booked, 45’)(L. Bergvall 46’); 29, P. Sarr; 30, R. Bentancur (booked, 30’)(J. Maddison 61’); 28, W. Odobert; 22, B. Johnson (Son Heung-Min 46’); 19, D. Solanke.

Cherries in the capital to face Spurs: Build up  Bournemouth Echo

Hall arrives on the south coast on dual registration from Tottenham Hotspur, and said she was thrilled to join the club.

The 18-year-old is set to wear the number nine shirt and could be in line for her debut at Maidenhead United this weekend.

The young forward joins the Cherries as they hope to extend their winning run in the league, having won nine out of nine games so far this term – while also aiming to add silverware in the National League Plate and the Hampshire Senior Cup.

Hall told afcb.co.uk: “The first day is always daunting stepping into a first training session but the squad were so welcoming.

“They are very passionate and it’s the best standard I have played. They have kind of taken me under their wing and I’m very pleased.

“I’m a very competitive person and I love to win. To be here, it has that passion. I can’t wait.

“When on the pitch I am very, very competitive. I can’t wait to show all the fans what I can do.”

Hall’s father went to university in Bournemouth and she said she has a good group of friends in the area, adding that she has previous memories of playing football in the town.

She said: “My family always used to come down whenever it was sunny, like everybody else in the UK we wanted to get to the beach!

“Whenever I came down here, we never used to bring a football, I always used to say ‘dad, can we buy a football at the shop?’ “We would put two cones out and it would always be me against my two brothers and I’d always lose. But each time I did play on the beach I’d get that little bit better because they’d be absolutely hammering me!

“My family are my top supporters. They never miss a game. I go to all my brothers’ games and they are with me through and through – always by my side when I need them.”