CHERRIES head coach Andoni Iraola said it was “difficult to accept” that his side had only taken one point from their last two games after strong performances against Newcastle United and Manchester City.

Last weekend a stoppage-time Matt Ritchie equaliser denied Cherries all three points on Tyneside, before a spirited display at Manchester City returned no points at Vitality Stadium on Saturday night.

Now without a win in seven Premier League games, Iraola still believes his side have been playing “really well”.

He told the Daily Echo: “It’s difficult to accept that we just have one point from these two games because we played really well.

“I think we played really well these two games.

“The return is just one point and it's not what we wanted, but we have to know that we still have to improve because it's not good enough.”

Asked if disappointing results despite strong performances had a disheartening effect or encouraging one, Iraola continued: “Probably it gives you more hope for next games.

“If we can keep this level, it's not a guarantee.

“We could play very well today. Last week we don't know what's going to be our performance now. I think I'm happy because we have shown (against City) that we are able to compete against one of the best teams in the world, if not the best.

“To accept difficult duels against them, to put them under pressure.

“It's not easy to do, but even doing it, it was not enough, I repeat again, to take a result.”