Iraola on injuries, awards and Mepham
Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Bournemouth host Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.
Here are the main lines from his news conference:
On player availability: “Lloyd Kelly will play tomorrow. He has been involved in training normally so we have no concerns about this. We’ve recovered Lloyd, Tyler Adams and Marcus Tavernier will also be part of the squad."
Iraola had doubts on if Chris Mepham's season is over or not: "He has improved, I've talked to him and he's feeling better. The season is finishing in seven or eight days so I don't know if he will be ready for the last game. He's improving and this is the most important thing."
On being nominated for the Premier League manager of the season award alongside names Like Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta: "For me they are on a different level. They are fighting for titles and Champions Leagues, they have shown more things than me. It was one of the reasons I came here, to play against them and improve as a manager."
More on his nomination: "It's good for me and I'm also happy for the club to receive this kind of recognition. It's not about the nomination, it's about the season. I've enjoyed it. Normally as a manager, enjoying a season doesn't happen a lot but I've been enjoying it with the players. They are the ones that deserve some recognition."
On his opponents: "They are a very good team. It's going to be difficult. We are two teams that are not so different. They are also a pressing team and prepare set plays very well. Their transitions are very good. It's going to be difficult to impose our game, and the same for them."
When asked about both club's strikers Dominic Solanke and Ivan Toney: "I think they are different. Toney is more like a number nine playing around the box, he's a very good finisher and gifted technically. Dom is very good technically, he loves to attack the spaces outside more. Dom could also play very well with another attacker, he has the technical ability to play deeper. They are both very good."
