AFC Bournemouth boss expecting 'tactical battle' ahead of West Brom FA Cup tie
AFC Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is expecting a 'tactical' battle against West Brom in tomorrow's FA Cup third round clash.
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Albion head to the South Coast looking to cause a cup upset against the Premier League side - in what is likely to be interim boss Chris Brunt's final game in charge of the club.
The Cherries currently sit seventh in the Premier League but go into the game having been dumped out of the FA Cup by Championship opposition in the last two seasons.
They will have to face Saturday's clash without key players following an injury crisis at the club.
Availability issues aside, the Bournemouth boss has spoken of his admiration for former boss Carlos Corberan and the job he has done at Albion.
And he believes Saturday's clash will be a similar tactical battle to the one his side would have faced if the Spaniard was still in the Albion dugout.
He said: "Probably it’s not the first game you want in the FA Cup.
“I know very well Carlos Corberan, I think they are continuing to do the same things with the staff that was already there and it’s a very well-coached team.
"Tactically it will be a good challenge for us and I hope we are ready because I think it’s going to be a difficult game.”
The Cherries have been struck by injuries to key players in recent weeks - and head into the cup clash without a recognised centre forward.
Strikers Evanilson and Enes Unal have both suffered long term injuries, forcing Bournemouth to recall Daniel Jebbison from Watford ahead of Saturday's tie.
The Cherries boss is also facing further selection issues, with Philip Biling and Max Aarons in talks ahead of leaving the club on loan for the remainder of the season.
Biling is set to join Napoli, while full back Aarons could be set for a move to Valencia and a link up with ex-Baggies boss Corberan.
During his pre-match press conference, the Bournemouth boss said: "My job is to continue trying to get the maximum from the players we have available.
"Everyone is trying to give everything they have.
“We are having very good answers from players. I hope we can continue performing because the players we still have available have the level.”
