STARLETS Jaidon Anthony and Jordan Zemura took to social media last night in a plea to fans. Cherries’ 4-2 defeat to Championship leaders Burnley in the FA Cup led to an array of boos and jeers from supporters at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday. As fans voiced their displeasure at a fifth straight loss, Anthony was the only player to lap the stadium and applaud fans for their efforts.
Jaidon Anthony started: “Trust me, I get your frustrations. We as players are as frustrated with the way we are playing too, but we do know there’s a long, long way to go in the season and there’s enough talent in this group to turn our fortunes around. But we can only do it together. We need you more when it’s not going well. You have every right to voice your opinions but whilst the game’s still going and we still have a chance, why not give us all the help you can, and be loud and proud. Long way to go and many highs to come, I promise!”
Defender Zemura took a similar view, also calling for fans to cut out the boos directed solely towards captain Lloyd Kelly.
Jordan Zemura said: “Times like this (are) never easy, when everything feels sticky and things are not falling how you want. But that’s football, more or less, that’s life. All you can do is stand up, chest out and go again, and keep fighting. More than enough within this team, and (we) will continue to fight and be counter for. All in this together, from the team to the staff, to you, the fans. However disappointed you are with the performance, booing individual players is not on, especially the captain of the team – for that, I cannot stand with! As a collective that’s fair because it has not been good enough, and we know that! We will continue to work and push each other to be better. However, we’re in this together and that’s all! Plenty of games to put things right and enjoy the highs!”