CHERRIES boss Andoni Iraola will look to make some changes without weakening his side for the FA Cup tie to second-tier strugglers Queens Park Rangers, insisting his side have to “earn the right” to advance.

Iraola’s maiden campaign in world’s oldest knockout cup competition begins tomorrow afternoon (3pm) as Cherries visit QPR in the third round of the FA Cup.

Earlier this season, Cherries successfully navigated two rounds of the EFL Cup before being knocked out by Liverpool, who have gone on to reach the semi-finals.

Iraola has earned a reputation as a serious cup-competitor, leading previous clubs Mirandes and Rayo Vallecano to the semi-final stages of the Copa del Rey, the Spanish equivalent of the FA Cup.

Asked how he will approach team selection for the tie, Iraola shared: “I think we will follow more or less what we did in the Carabao Cup.

“I think we have to choose very well.

“Then, I think we will make some changes. But we want to win the game.

“This is the number one priority. For sure, some players will have maybe more opportunities than in the league games, but we want to go there and win the right to play in the next round.

“The cup competitions are like this - we just have one game guaranteed.

“We cannot make mistakes because in the cup competitions you cannot look very far because you, you lose your mind for three minutes and you are out.”

After a poor start to the season under Gareth Ainsworth, QPR made the decision to sack the former Wycombe Wanderers manager in October.

Spaniard Marti Cifuentes was appointed shortly after, with Rangers signing the head coach from Swedish top-flight side Hammarby.

However, QPR still find themselves in the drop zone of the Championship, with just two wins under their new boss.

“I think they've improved a lot,” Iraola started.

“Even though last couple of results have not been good, I think you see more detailed stats, they are not conceding goals.

“We’ve analysed the games they've played with the new manager, they are just struggling with the set pieces.

“But I think in the last games they are not even conceding in open play.

“So defensively I think they have improved a lot.

“They have increased a lot the possession, they I think they want more control of games.

“They play a 4-3-3, quite positional, very good inside players, powerful players.

“And I think we have to be at our best because I don't see them as a relegation team right now.

“They are there of course, but I think they are playing much better lately than it looks according to the results.

“And as their coach said, they've been very punished with the set pieces.”