Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola has expressed optimism over the club’s chances of finishing in an European spot at the end of the season.
The Cherries have enjoyed a resurgent second half of the Premier League season and are currently in sixth position on the standings with 52 points and are just a few points ahead of the chasing pack, leaving little margin for error.
They head to the Craven Cottage on Saturday, hoping to extend their 15-game unbeaten run against Fulham, another side who are in the race to qualify for Europe.
Speak in on Friday, Iraola, who has announced that he would leave Bournemouth when his contract expires at the end of the season, has backed his side to secure a higher finish on the standings that enables them to qualify for Europe for the first time in the club’s history.
“I think we are in a good place, in the sense that [with] three games remaining, we are in the fight”, Iraola said.
“But I still think we need good results. We are like six, seven teams fighting for two, maybe three positions [in Europe]. So you will need points, you will need wins. We don’t have easy games.
“The only thing that makes me optimistic is that, I see my team in a really good place. We are doing good things, we are playing well. Even if we probably have one of the toughest, maybe with Brentford, toughest schedules. I trust my team because they show me that they are able to play a good game against any opposition”, the Spaniard concluded.
Bournemouth now have to pick up maximum points from their three remaining matches this season, beginning with Saturday’s trip to Fulham.
They will also face Manchester City, before concluding their season against Nottingham Forest.
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