Marcus Tafnir: The team needs to maintain its high level of performance and strive for a higher ranking if possible.

Bournemouth midfielder Marcus Tafnir says the team is motivated to finish the season better after manager Andoni Iraola announced his impending departure. He scored the crucial goal at St. James' Park to help the team beat Newcastle United 2-1 and extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to 13 games.

The 27-year-old opened the scoring for Bournemouth at Tyneside, before Adrian Truffaut scored the winning goal in the 85th minute to secure all three points. The home side had equalized earlier through William Osura. After the match, Marcus Tafnir stated that he was not only satisfied with the team extending their unbeaten run in the top flight, but also emphasized the team's desire to give Andoni Iraola a spectacular farewell.

Marcus Tafnir said after the game: "We're in great form right now, and that's no accident. It's the result of our continued hard work in practice. The whole team is more motivated in the current situation, and we're very happy to have scored three points today. Nobody in the locker room was surprised because everyone knows their own abilities. We need to continue playing at a high level, and that's not just the responsibility of the starting 11, but the collective effort of the whole team. That was the key to our victory today; everyone played their part."

"The situation on the football field is unpredictable, and the best thing the head coach did was to inspire a stronger competitive spirit in us at the end of the season. Many players wanted to complete the final sprint for him. We hoped to achieve the highest possible ranking because the competition was extremely fierce, and everyone was fighting for the head coach."

Marcus Tafnir's first goal was also his seventh of the season. The goal came after a brilliant run down the right flank by Rayan, which Tafnir capitalized on to score. After his goal tally continued to rise, he immediately praised his teammates' contributions. He has now set a new personal best for goals in a single season while wearing the Bournemouth jersey.

Marcus Tafnir said: "This is exactly what the coach has been asking us to do, to make runs into the box at the far post. He keeps emphasizing this to me because it creates more scoring opportunities. Reijan's excellent performance on the left wing made my job very easy; he did most of the hard work."

"Football is a team sport, and there's nothing more exhilarating than the ball going into the net, no matter who scores. Adrian scored his first goal today, and he absolutely deserves it. He has been outstanding since joining the team. The whole team is working towards a common goal, the locker room atmosphere is very united, and we all hope to finish the season strong."

Image source: Internet/Bournemouth official website