Bournemouth

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between West Ham and Bournemouth.

Here are some of your comments:

West Ham fans

Chris: Simply not good enough. The result means we now probably have to find at least two unexpected wins. I'm not giving up but we will need to find some unlikely wins from somewhere.

James: If you can't win, make sure you don't lose. With other teams faltering, I felt West Ham have enough to stay up if they can just get the wins over the line and build on this clean sheet.

Vigsy: Two points dropped after a dominant first half coughed up no goals. An open second half but profligate shooting by both sides resulted in the stalemate. Cherries will be far happier with the point than us.

Adam: A clean sheet is great - they've been few and far between but we really needed the win with our run-in.

Bournemouth fans

Bob: Is a point good enough? We badly needed three. We can't keep relying on other teams around us to lose , The next four games are against Liverpool (a), Fulham (a), Manchester City (h) and Aston Villa (a) will have a big say on where we are and where we're going.

Terry: Under par. We always seem to be lethargic after a break, but an away point is a good point. Rayan was SO unlucky, but MOTD said nothing as usual - if that had been Erling Haaland, Hugo Ekitike or Cole Palmer it would have been shown a million times. Onwards and upwards. In AFCB we have faith.

Bob: As usual, a poor performance against a team placed third from the bottom of the league. Indicates a 14th or 15th-placed finish because no improvement can be expected from this XI.

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Micah Richards join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Chelsea 1-1 Burnley

• Aston Villa 1-1 Leeds

• West Ham 1-1 Bournemouth

Ben Collins
BBC Sport journalist

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With West Ham's biggest threat coming from set-pieces, Bournemouth were content to control possession throughout while threatening on the break.

With manager Andoni Iraola watching from the stands as he served a touchline ban, they offered little going forward in the first half.

Rayan and Alex Scott had tame long-range efforts before Rayan almost became the first teenager to register a goal involvement in each of their first four Premier League appearances.

The new signing broke forward just after the hour mark after a West Ham free-kick was cleared, running from his own half before his left-foot strike from the edge of the box glanced off the woodwork.

The 19-year-old Brazilian had another effort blocked having taken too long to get his shot away, while Marcos Senesi, Scott and Junior Kroupi tested home goalkeeper Mads Hermansen late on.

A late Bournemouth winner would have been harsh on the Hammers, and the Cherries will settle for a point and a seventh straight league game unbeaten, with two home games and a trip to second-bottom Burnley coming up.

BBC Radio Solent's Bournemouth commentator Jordan Clark is joined by Cherries legend Steve Fletcher, to discuss their goalless draw at West Ham.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Bournemouth content on BBC Sounds

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, speaking to Sky Sports: "We had good individual performances. At least we have not conceded any goals and we will go with a point.

"The first half I was quite disappointed. We were not being aggressive on the ball and didn't look like a danger to them. The second half was more open. We got into good situations, it was a better game but first half was poor for us.

"It is about winning your duels, wanting the ball and attacking the spaces and we improved in the second half.

"We have recovered a bit more depth and especially in the second half this was very good. Away from home this is a difficult stadium to come to. They put you under pressure straight away and we have to value this point.

"We have 38 points and I hope next to get past 40 and then we will see where we are when we arrive."

Did you know?

• With four each, only Newcastle and Crystal Palace have had more 0-0 draws than Bournemouth in the Premier League this season, with the Cherries' three their joint-most in a top-flight campaign. They also had three in 2015-16 and 2019-20.

You can listen to Andoni Iraola and Djordje Petrovic on BBC Sounds

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on West Ham's performance

What did you make of Bournemouth's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Image source, BBC Sport

West Ham have made one change to the starting XI they had for their last Premier League game, with Soungoutou Magassa replacing Freddie Potts in the side that drew 1-1 at home to Manchester United.

West Ham XI: Mads Hermansen, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Axel Disasi, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Tomas Soucek, Mateus Fernandes, Soungoutou Magassa, Crysencio Summerville, Jarrod Bowen, Valentin Castellanos.

Subs: Kyle Walker-Peters, Max Kilman, Callum Wilson, Adama Traore, Jean-Clair Todibo, Ollie Scarles, Mohamadou Kante, Ezra Mayers, Alphonse Areola.

Bournemouth have made two changes to the side which won 2-1 at Everton last time out, with Tyler Adams and Junior Kroupi coming in for Ryan Christie and Alex Toth.

Bournemouth XI: Djordje Petrovic, James Hill, Adrien Truffert, Marcos Senesi, Alex Jimenez, Alex Scott, Amine Adli, Rayan, Evanilson, Tyler Adams, Junior Kroupi.

Subs: David Brooks, Ryan Christie, Adam Smith, Marcus Tavernier, Bafode Diakite, Enes Unal, Alex Toth, Veljko Milosavljevic, Christos Mandas.

Image source, BBC Sport

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Aston Villa v Leeds - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Brentford v Brighton

• Chelsea v Burnley - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• West Ham v Bournemouth (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Manchester City v Newcastle (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to Aston Villa v Leeds" or "ask BBC Sounds to play West Ham v Bournemouth", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Two of the league's form teams meet at London Stadium on Saturday (17:30 GMT), albeit with West Ham United and Bournemouth experiencing rather different campaigns.

The Hammers, in 17th place, have won three of their last five in the league, drawing with Manchester United last time out. The 10 points they've earned in that timeframe is as many as they acquired in their previous 15 matches.

Hammers can flee the bottom three

Significantly, this round of fixtures presents them with the chance to move out of the drop zone for the first time since early December, should they win and Nottingham Forest lose to Liverpool (depending on goal difference).

Crysencio Summerville continued his sparkling form with an extra-time winner in a tense FA Cup fourth round win over Burton Albion, taking him to six goals in his last seven games.

Nuno Espirito Santo made 10 changes for that clash against League One opposition but had to call upon Summerville from the bench to put the tie to bed, perhaps indicative of his side's reliance on a small pool of goalscorers.

Even in the Premier League the Irons have been using the full extent of their squad in a bid to find a winning formula. Following a busy winter transfer window, they've used more different players than any other side in the league this season, with 32, yet only Everton have had fewer different goalscorers than West Ham's nine.

Cherries blossoming

Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last six league games, with four wins and two draws moving them from 15th to ninth since the turn of the year.

The Cherries' first-ever Premier League win came against West Ham at Upton Park in August 2015. In recent years though, they're winless in their last 10 meetings with the Hammers in all competitions – the last five in the league have all been draws.

Andoni Iraola's side came from behind to beat Everton 2-1 last week, with Brazilian forward Rayan on the scoresheet for the second successive game. Add to that an assist on his debut and the 19-year-old is aiming to become the first teenager in the history of the competition to record goal involvements in each of his first four games.

That superb second half turnaround at the Hill Dickinson Stadium was typical of the Cherries' resilient attitude this season. Only Aston Villa and Sunderland have rescued more points from losing positions in the top-flight this season than Bournemouth's 14.

In Rayan and Junior Kroupi – the top scorer left at the club after Antoine Semenyo's move to Manchester City – Bournemouth boast an exciting young forward line, but it's one of their former heroes they'll need to watch out for on Saturday, even if he is no longer first choice in east London.

Callum Wilson, who hit 67 goals in his six seasons in Dorset, netted twice in a 2-2 draw at the Vitality Stadium in November. He has a particular fondness for this fixture, scoring in it nine times (seven for Bournemouth, two for West Ham).

West Ham are still in the bottom three but they have shown they are up for the fight in the past few weeks.

Yes, they conceded a late equaliser against Manchester United in their last league game, but they keep on picking up points and that must have given them belief they can stay up.

Bournemouth are on a good run now too, with three wins in their past four league games but, along with Brighton, they are the Premier League's draw specialists this season - both have had 10 so far.

It finished 2-2 when these two sides met on the south coast in November and I can see the points being shared this time too.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

England midfielder Alex Scott told BBC Radio Solent that he is in the "form of my life".

"I think all season I have been at a decent level. I started pretty strong, I think there were a few games where my levels dropped, but I'm back to my best. I'm definitely in the form of my life," he said.

"I feel really good and I can probably play 90 minutes most weeks now. Defensively I have definitely improved and I'm trying to make the box to score goals and create chances a lot more."

The 22-year-old also credits his midfield team-mates in pushing him to improve.

"It's a tough role to do, any of those three positions in midfield," he said.

"It's very demanding physically in games, the way we press and jump the opposition.

"It's good to have fresh legs on the bench. For me personally, it's good to have such competition because it helps me to stay on my A game."

Bournemouth play away to West Ham at the London Stadium on Saturday.

Hit play above to listen to the interview or hear it here on BBC Sounds.

Explore more Bournemouth content on BBC Sounds

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to BBC Radio Solent before Saturday's Premier League game against West Ham at the London Stadium (kick-off 17:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Iraola confirmed there were no new injury concerns for this weekend, with David Brooks and Tyler Adams "ready to go", while Marcus Tavernier returned to training and they will make a late call on his availability.

• On playing more away games against teams in the bottom half of the table in this second half of the season: "We are getting better results, we are getting some wins and I hope we can continue. But I think this one is especially difficult considering the circumstances where West Ham are and the run that they've had recently."

• The Bournemouth boss feels the Hammers have been "one of the best teams lately in the Premier League" and his side need to "be ready to start strong" to prevent West Ham from scoring first, as they have done in recent games.

• After receiving a touchline ban for his third yellow card of the season, Iraola has been discussing how he plans to help from the stands: "I don't wear the thing on the ear and I'm close to the analyst. Normally I go with Ryan [Dawes], and he's the one communicating everything. But it's true that we sometimes, with the subs, we use just text messages. So we see everything clear."

• He does not yet know where he will be sitting in the stadium and is a "little bit worried" about the time it might take to get to the dressing room at half time, so they will just have to "see what the best option is".

• On Marcos Senesi's future after the defender didn't move in the January transfer window: "I think the situation is still open. I think it's not easy. We have references from other seasons and sometimes they decide to re-sign, sometimes not, but I don't think Marcos has taken any decision."

Hit play above to hear more from Iraola or listen on BBC Sounds here

Hear full commentary of West Ham v Bournemouth on Saturday from 17:30 GMT on 5 Live and BBC Sounds

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Bournemouth? Get in touch here and we'll put it to our experts

Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi wants to join Barcelona this summer after deciding he will not sign a new contract with the Cherries. (Teamtalk, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth's absence from the FA Cup fourth round will have allowed them a rare opportunity to fully recharge the batteries between games.

Aside from the standard international breaks in September, October and November when half the squad will have flown off around the world to represent their countries, the 10 clear days between their win at Everton on Tuesday, 10 February and the upcoming trip to West Ham this Saturday, 21 February, has been Bournemouth's longest gap between fixtures so far in 2025-26.

That win at Hill Dickinson Stadium is also the Cherries' final midweek away trip of the season, with their only remaining midweek game at home to Brentford on 3 March forming part of a Saturday-Tuesday home double against Sunderland and the Bees that immediately precedes another 10-day gap during which the FA Cup fifth round will be contested.

Head coach Andoni Iraola's high-energy, hard-running playing style demands a lot of his players physically, and as fan writer Sam Davis pointed out on these pages earlier this week, playing fewer games than some of their mid-table rivals in the final three months of the season could be to Bournemouth's advantage in terms of player workload.

For the travelling fans, particularly those hardy souls who braved the rain at Everton last week, the fixture schedule for the last half-dozen away games feels a little kinder towards the end of the campaign.

Cherries followers, by the nature of geography, will rack up more miles on the motorways and the rail network than those of any other Premier League team this season.

However, of their last six away matches, Newcastle and Burnley are the only two of the eight northernmost grounds yet to be visited by Iraola's side, with three of their last six away games in London before a final-day journey to Nottingham Forest – who have had more managers than home league wins in 2025-26.

Sam Davis
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth failed to gain any real momentum in either domestic cup competition this season, a real blow for Andoni Iraola, who has previously loved an exciting cup run.

Having said that, it's worth pondering whether having fewer games than many of their league rivals might actually work in the Cherries' favour.

Andoni's men are ninth in the Premier League and only three points off seventh.

It's incredibly tight, but dreams of European football for the first time on the south coast are again being whispered.

Only 10 points separates fifth-placed Chelsea and 12th-placed Fulham, so the fine margins of having fewer games could end up being just what Bournemouth need.

Plus, in those eight spots, six of the teams are still in other competitions, whether that be domestically, in Europe or even both.

With injuries always inevitably around the corner with three months of the season to go, depth and management of your squad will always be paramount and the Cherries will have fewer games than most to manoeuvre around that.

Bournemouth have had their fair share of absentees this campaign but have recently restored Tyler Adams, Ryan Christie and David Brooks to their matchday squad.

There are also reports that both Marcus Tavernier and Ben Gannon-Doak are not far away from being back available for the team, so the options at his disposal are starting to look that bit more appetising for Andoni.

Therefore, a strong finish to the season is certainly a realistic expectation as it stands.

The club had a flirt with those European spots last season and many felt that an injury pile-up and lack of squad depth really hampered chances.

Could this time around be different?

Maybe, just maybe, its OK for the Cherries faithful to dream again!

Find more from Sam Davis at Back of the Net, external

Image source, Getty Images

Recently, Liverpool and the Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk said former players-turned-pundits have a responsibility when discussing the performances of the current generation of footballers.

He believes they can stray into "clickbait" and have a possible impact on players' mental health.

On Thursday's episode of the More than the Score podcast, former Scotland international Pat Nevin and chief sports editor for Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf Marcel van der Kraan join John Bennett to discuss and analyse the modern world of punditry and the impact it can have on players and managers alike.

"As a player you do tend to take it to heart, especially when it feels a little personal," said Nevin.

"Generally, it isn't personal and the pundit is just having their opinion and we all kind of know where the lines are. But, the lines have been jumped over more often in recent years and I think Van Dijk is right about that.

"Because of the clickbait, it is so much easier to get more likes, views and work if you're a little bit more extreme. Ex-players aren't stupid and they know that. If you are too sensible and sit on the fence you won't get the big gigs.

"You have a dichotomy. Most ex-players would like to be balanced but they know if they are too balanced and sensible they won't be there next week.

"My criticism would always be constructive criticism which is explained. One-dimensional labeling of players should never happen. Sometimes if a big name says something enough it becomes accepted wisdom."

Van der Kraan added: "There are two different kinds of pundits; those who need to be on every week and those who are genuinely focused on what is right and what players should do.

"For Van Dijk, after so many years enough is enough.

"It all started after he came into the Netherlands team and became a big player at Liverpool. The first ex-player to really criticise him was Marco van Basten, saying he was not a leader. Van Dijk was biting his lip after every match because it became a bit of a stigma.

"Eventually it filtered to England and every time he had a bad game it became an open nerve."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your views on Alex Jimenez meeting the appearance threshold required to make his loan from AC Milan permanent.

Here are some of your comments:

Robbie: Alex Jimenez has come on leaps and bounds since arriving as a talented but wild player in the summer. We have been looking for a successor to Adam Smith for a few years and everyone must be delighted we have one. One of the most exciting players at the club, from full-back! Well happy this is done.

Miguel: A great fit for the Cherries - Jimenez is quick, intelligent and committed. The board have excelled themselves again with their scouting. As for our manager Andoni Iraola, leave him alone, he is not for sale.

Steve: What an absolute gift of a signing. Our recruitment team of Pinto and Francis unearthed an absolute gem in Alex Jimenez and the Spaniard has gone from strength to strength putting in some sensational performances. Nailed on for Spanish caps and a big move in years to come. We will enjoy him while we can!

Lewis: Up there already for POTS for me, passion and class. Very happy for this be made permanent, true talent.

Harry: Great news that this has now become permanent and I can properly fall in love with him now he's not a loan player. Has a little to learn still on decision-making sometimes but my god he has passion. Love the way he interacts with the fans and gets so driven when on the pitch. Reminds me of a lad you'd play Sunday league with who was a bit of a loose cannon, amazingly talented and never stopped running.

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth right-back Alex Jimenez has met the appearance threshold required to make his loan from AC Milan permanent.

The defender, who has quickly become a fan favourite on the south coast, has now featured in more than half of the club's competitive fixtures triggering a deal that runs until 2031.

Bournemouth's president of football operations Tiago Pinto said: "Alex is a young talent, who has already demonstrated his energy and commitment to the squad during these opening months with the club.

"He has incredible pedigree, having begun his development at both Real Madrid and AC Milan. We're delighted to have him as part of our project, which began last summer and now continues after the obligation was triggered."

Cherries, fans how do you feel about Jimenez's move becoming permanent? And just how good has he been for you so far?

Get in touch with your views here

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

It was not a heist on the scale of the corresponding match last season when Bournemouth trailed Everton 2-0 going into the 87th minute and somehow burgled all three points, but Tuesday's 2-1 win at Hill Dickinson Stadium allowed the Cherries to show other sides of their character.

The game hinged on an eight-minute spell in which Andoni Iraola's side scored twice and then saw the Toffees reduced to 10 men as defender Jake O'Brien was sent off for a professional foul.

Seeing the two sides line up against each other physically, the away fans may have feared the worst, given Bournemouth's struggles at defending set-pieces, coupled with Everton's obvious height advantage.

But with unpredictability something of a theme in Bournemouth's season, they won it with two headed goals – both from wingers.

That still left a nervy last 20 minutes as Everton belied their numerical disadvantage to ramp up the pressure in search of an equaliser – but despite a season where they have conceded a few late goals (including Jack Grealish's winner in the reverse fixture at Vitality Stadium), the Cherries rear-guard held firm.

Earning praise from supporters and manager alike was James Hill, who has had to wait patiently for his chance since being signed from Fleetwood four years ago, and watched several other central defenders signed and played ahead of him.

But at a ground which fans joked should be called "James Hill Stadium", the 24-year-old showed the £1m paid to the 'Cod Army' in 2022 was a snip by today's standards.

With 37 points from 26 games, surely not even the most pessimistic fan could claim Bournemouth are in any relegation danger now. And while no-one is getting carried away with where they might finish, having taken 14 points from a possible 18 since early January, they have earned the right to look up, rather than down.

Pundits Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Somers to bring you the action and talking points from Tuesday's and Wednesday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

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On the latest episode of Cherries: Unpicked, former player John Williams praised the defensive partnership between Argentine centre-back Marcos Senesi and England's James Hill: "I have been watching Hill's career and Marcos Senesi, who is a real steady head at around 30.

"I have said it before but when you are a centre-half and you get to 30, it's like somebody opens the curtains, and you're like wow, you don't have to go running out there to get it, just wait for it to come to you. You don't have to crash, bang and fight to win headers, just make a little hole for yourself and you'll get in there. All these things come to you when you reach that age.

"I hope that with Hilly there, some of the things from Senesi will rub off and they will make a good partnership."

Listen to the full episode here

Explore all Bournemouth content on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's Premier League game between Everton and Bournemouth.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Harry: I watched David Moyes football for 11 years and was bored off my head, now I have to watch dithering Dave football again! It's just not good enough. We know some players are not up to the job but this is the best squad we have had in years and they don't know what they are supposed to do. What kind of football are we playing? The supporters are fed up.

Percy: Disappointing at home again. Left-back and striker still a weakness. Any idea why Patterson does not play? We all want Barry to succeed but he's clearly a long-term development prospect. We played better with 10 men on the pitch. A decent season in comparison to previous years and looking up rather than down, which is great. But now it's how to cement a place in the top half and put in more complete 90-minute performances. Easier said than done in this league.

Stuart: Story of our season in this game. Poor at home, don't take our chances, can't defend from full-back positions and a stupid red card. So frustrating.

Tony: Poor team selection cost us again. With a centre-half playing at right-back and getting sent off while we have a right-back unused, sitting on the bench. We and Bournemouth got what was deserved. I don't agree with the new stadium narrative.

Bournemouth fans

James: We deserved the win overall despite not playing well. Everton didn't turn up until the last 20 minutes, ironically after going down to 10 men. One of the seasons' success stories is James Hill stepping into the defensive void left in the summer. The £1m signing from Fleetwood is keeping his place above some expensive signings. Jimenez too played well as he always does. Another three points. Up the Cherries!

Drew: Gutsy performance in front of a baying crowd - showed real quality and took well deserved three points. What a player Hill is!

Tim: Nobody deserved that Player of the Match more than James Hill. He fought for his place in this team and each match proves why he deserves to stay in it. Our defensive displays give me hope; a stark contrast to the beginning of the season when Diakite was struggling to find his feet. That Brentford defeat was the turning point.