AFC BOURNEMOUTH boss Andoni Iraola is uncertain whether a strong finish to the Premier League season will lead into next season, with the Basque boss solely focused on the here and now.

Cherries have risen into the top-half of the league table with three games remaining in the Premier League, a remarkable feat considering it took the team 10 games to claim a first league victory under Iraola following his appointment last summer.

Since claiming a first victory over Burnley in December only the Premier League’s top four have claimed more points than Cherries’ haul of 42.

Cherries have the potential to add further points to their total with a trip to Arsenal this weekend, before hosting Brentford in their final home game of the season next weekend.

They round off the campaign away at Chelsea, but Iraola feels any further wins would only serve to strengthen Cherries’ final league position, rather than serve as a platform for next season.

He told the Daily Echo: “I really don't know if it affects (next year) how you finish the season, the last games of the season.

“I want to finish the season strong because I want to finish as high as possible this season, is the main reason.

“From there, we will have to improve.

“It doesn't matter how we finish because next season normally is always more difficult because the level normally improves, especially in the Premier League where we see how the league is becoming more and more powerful.

“But I want to finish strong because I want to finish high in the table as well.”

Cherries have announced their pre-season plans, which involve a trip to Los Angeles for a two-week training camp.

But Iraola is not thinking beyond Cherries’ next game.

“It's very far for me,” he continued.

“For a manager, next season is always far.

“I understand the club has to prepare pre-season, these things, but for me, sometimes when they ask me I say ‘bwoah’.

“I know that someone has to be there, thinking in these things.

“But I played two days ago, I’ll play in two days.

“For sure there is people in the club thinking next season how to prepare, how to improve the team, the signings.

“But I'm not too involved right now.

“We will have time obviously, because I think we have a long stop, but I'm not involved in the everyday of next season.”