CHERRIES cannot talk about a cup run before their opening Carabao Cup game against high quality opposition in West Ham.

AFC Bournemouth travel to the London Stadium on Wednesday night, facing Julen Lopetegui’s Hammers.

Previewing the clash in the capital, Andoni Iraola said his side must be ‘very, very, very good’ to progress to the next round.

“I think considering the level of the game we have tomorrow, we cannot talk about a cup run,” Iraola said.

“If we are average tomorrow, we are out of the competition guaranteed because we are playing West Ham.

“They have an amazing team.

“They have a depth of squad that they have two starters in every position.

“So, if we want to have a run or whatever, play another game in the Carabao Cup, we will have to be very, very good, is what I am thinking right now.”

Julen Lopetegui (Image: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)

The Basque manager said both sides will be feeling a little unlucky to have such a tough opening game in the cup.

“It's true that to be the first game of the competition is a very high-level game,” Iraola said.

“Of course, everyone can, and we in the inside always, have our dreams, our ambitions [for a cup run].

“But in this case, I think we have to be very clear. We have to be at our very best.

Sometimes, [in the] past season, we played against Swansea away.

“Probably we were not at our best, but we found a way to get through and continue in the competition.

“Tomorrow, if we start the same way, we have no chance.

“We have to be much, much better and we have to be close to our best level if we want to have any chance.”

West Ham beat Crystal Palace at the weekend (Image: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)

On the West Ham opposition, Iraola said the difference between the first and second choices in each position were small.

“It doesn't change a lot the level of the group or how they are going to play,” he said.

“They will try to control the game; dictate the game. They are playing at home.

“They come from a very good game away in a difficult stadium.

“I suppose they are full of confidence, and they will try to keep building the confidence. But we are also in a good moment.

“I think we played very well the other day. I hope we can recover because it's true that we have one day less, that in this kind of weeks is important.”

Iraola added: “I hope we can keep the fitness levels to be competitive and to be the team we want to be.”