'He communicates really well with the players'

Former Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha spoke to the BBC's Planet Premier League podcast about Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola's impressive debut season in charge of the Cherries:

"With a new manager, a new message and new players, time is something that is needed. They play with confidence and a real identity. They'rea good match-up for anyone.

"They're not anywhere near one of the biggest clubs so for them to be sitting mid-table, it's incredibly impressive and credit to Iraola."

Former Premier League midfielder Cesc Fabregas added: "I remember I went to see [Radamel] Falcao one day in Madrid and he told me to come and watch a training session [with Iraola's Rayo Vallecano side]. I went there and I really liked it. I really liked the session, I saw exactly what he's trying to do.

"He communicates really well with the players. He has a really good structure. I liked the setup of the training session, the format in which he builds it from a lower intensity to a higher one, and the concept that he was giving to the players.

"It was the first time that I started hearing good things about Iraola and I'm not surprised where he is because you can see the style is very clear.

"It's the patience that we always talk about that they gave to Mikel [Arteta, at Arsenal]. For me if you really believe in it and you give the right players to the manager, most of the time it will pay off. I'm happy that it's happening at Bournemouth."

Listen to the full episode here