HEAD coach Andoni Iraola is urging Cherries to maximise their strong run of form as they prepare to face Crystal Palace, insisting: “We need to continue taking the points in this moment.”

After a slow start to the campaign, Cherries’ performances and results have improved in recent weeks.

In the past five Premier League fixtures, they have registered 10 points, denied a third win in succession by a late Aston Villa equaliser on Sunday.

Cherries have six more fixtures before the new year, heading to Selhurst Park tomorrow (7.30pm), before going to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Saturday.

Discussing the improved results, which saw them beat Sheffield United and Newcastle United before the Villa draw, Iraola said: “I wouldn’t go just the last three games. I think from the Wolves game (2-1 defeat in October), even the first half that game was not bad.

“We have been improving. But we still need more points, because we went so many games without winning.

“Now we are improving in the standings, but we need to keep this level.”

Asked what has changed to boost the results, Iraola added: “It is not just one factor. It is a little bit the schedule, a little bit everyone understanding each other better, players improving individually physically.

“Right now we have some players in a very good moment.

“Now what we need to do, especially this month where we play so many games, we need to take profit.

“Now we are in a good moment, so we need to continue taking the points in this moment, because normally during the season we will also have moments where we are not doing so well.

“We have to take our chances now.”

At the time of writing, Cherries sit 16th in the Premier League table, six points clear of the relegation zone and six points off the top half after 14 matches.