Iraola's surprise Bournemouth selections - What do they mean for Cherries?
Bournemouth's team underwent a number of changes for the first match of the 2024/25 season at Nottingham Forest -  (Photo by Michael Regan / Getty Images)

After using a largely consistent squad for the final few games of pre-season, AFC Bournemouth fans were largely assured who would be pulling on the team's new white, purple and blue away shirt in the team's opening Premier League match against Nottingham Forest.

However, when the team news arrived at 13:45 at the City Ground, there were a few raised eyebrows.

Andoni Iraola made some tough calls while trying to formulate the best side to get a result in Nottinghamshire.

Here are the headlines from the squad selection and what they might mean for the squad going forward.

One of the key questions prior to Saturday's draw was who would be starting between the sticks for Iraola's side.

While Neto played the vast majority of last season's matches, Mark Travers featured in four of the last five Premier League fixtures, keeping two clean sheets in that time.

35-year-old Neto began his third season with the Cherries as their regular goalkeeper against Forest.

Despite pulling off some good stops throughout the 90, his failings to palm the ball away from goal - instead opting to serve the ball on a plate for Chris Wood - led to Bournemouth going behind in the first half.

Iraola has been keen to add a goalkeeper to his squad this summer, and Alex Paulsen has come through the door but now finds himself on loan at Auckland FC to develop further.

Giorgi Mamardashvili has been banded around as a potential signing, but that move has since fallen apart.

Aaron Ramsdale, a former Cherry, is also available this summer on loan from Arsenal and Bournemouth have been credited with interest in the England international.

  • Senesi omitted entirely

Marcos Senesi was completely absent from the travelling squad on Saturday, leaving Dean Huijsen to step in.

Huijsen excelled on his maiden Premier League start, which means Senesi will find it tough to reclaim his starting spot.

As for the reasoning behind why the Argentine did not feature, there have been no concrete reports.

Senesi was substituted off in Bournemouth's final pre-season friendly against Girona after clashing heads with an opposition player.

Iraola did say in his pre-match press conference that the former Feyenoord defender would be fit to travel.

There have also been rumours of an illness going around the Cherries camp. Max Aarons and Chris Mepham were both not included as well.

  • Evanilson's absence

Bournemouth's record-breaking transfer subject was not involved on Saturday either.

This comes after the Cherries failed to meet the midday registration deadline, meaning Evanilson will have to wait until Newcastle travel to the Vitality Stadium in order to make his much anticipated Premier League debut.

Speaking prior to the match against Forest, Iraola was hopeful that the Brazilian would be registered in time as the striker ranks were looking shallow, with Daniel Jebbison being the only available striker.

This was not the case, ultimately, and it was always perceived that it would be a race against time to get Evanilson registered.

His official signing announcement only came on Friday evening, therefore focus will now turn to giving their new striker a full week of training to familiarise him with Iraola's style of play.

One of Bournemouth's most influential players last season after starting the vast majority of games, Kluivert was a shock presence on the bench against Forest.

Kluivert notched eight goal involvements last season and was vital in setting and executing the high pressing nature of Iraola's system.

It was evident that the Basque-born manager missed having a player with those capabilites in his team when Kluivert was brought on with the Cherries trailing by a goal.

The Dutchman, who recently received a call-up to represent his nation for the first time since 2019, changed the game across his 26 minute cameo. 

His standout impact will certainly give Iraola food for thought ahead of this Sunday's clash with Newcastle.