Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is leaving no stone unturned in his team’s preparations for the upcoming match at Bramall Lane. Similar to their opponents, the Cherries have experienced an improvement in form, climbing to 16th place with consecutive home victories and benefiting from Everton’s 10-point deduction. They are now four points ahead of 18th-placed United. Sheffield United has also shown improvement, securing four points in their last two matches and narrowing the gap to 17th-placed Luton to just one point.
Iraola is mindful of Bournemouth’s struggles in away games, having lost all but one on the road, with a draw at Brentford in September being their only point away from home. Blades’ manager Paul Heckingbottom has been experimenting with different formations in recent matches, prompting Iraola to prepare for various scenarios. He emphasizes the need for his team to build on their recent home successes by achieving victory on the road.
“We still need more goals and consistent good performances. Our away performance needs improvement,” Iraola stated. He acknowledges the challenge presented by a Bournemouth team coming off two strong results and emphasizes the importance of focus and readiness for the upcoming tough match.
Bournemouth typically deploys a three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs, but they have also used a four-at-the-back setup. Iraola is preparing for both possibilities, recognizing the varying situations that may arise during the game. He highlights the importance of making necessary adjustments to increase the team’s chances of winning without making significant changes to their playing style.
The upcoming match at Bramall Lane holds great significance for both teams in the context of their season. A victory for either side could have a substantial impact on their standings. Following tomorrow’s game, United faces a trip to Burnley in their upcoming fixtures.
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