Andoni Iraola explains decision to start Rayan on bench vs Leeds | Bournemouth Echo

ANDONI Iraola started David Brooks in place of Rayan vs Leeds for the Welshman’s work rate and he believed the Brazilian could make an impact off the bench – and so it proved.

Brooks starting for the 19-year-old was the only change in the Cherries team from the wins over Arsenal and Newcastle.

Rayan came on for the Welsh winger shortly after the hour mark, and scored the Bournemouth second with five minutes to play.

He swept the ball past Karl Darlow and into the bottom corner from a Tyler Adams cross to give Bournemouth the lead at 2-1, before a stoppage time equaliser from Leeds meant the Cherries had to settle for a point.

Rayan's goal celebration. (Image: Richard Crease)

Explaining why he left Rayan out at the Vitality Stadium, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “Yes, two main reasons.

“First one is because the way we planned the game, the right winger had to do a lot of work because he was following Gudmundsson that is a very offensive wing-back, so I think Brooksy obviously understands very well what we need in that position.

“He has the work rate, he has done it before, and we didn't have the experience with Rayan against back fives.

Rayan's goal celebration. (Image: Richard Crease)

“I think he played just some minutes against Wolves on the other side, and also he's very young, it's a midweek game, and he finished very tired the other day, so I think it was a good option to have him fresh for the second half when the game is going to open.

“If you analyse the Leeds games, they are very good first halves, they don't concede a lot during the first halves, and then normally second halves the game opens a little bit more, they concede more goals.

“And we expected that to be the case, and Rayan in those situations could be very, very valuable like he has been.”