adminBOURNEMOUTH. – Cherries coach Scott Parker feels Jordan Zemura’s enforced absence had a role in his team’s 0-4 thrashing at the hands of champions Manchester City on Saturday.
Bournemouth were also forced to play the match without main forward, Dominic Solanke.
Both players featured in the opening win.
Zemura was forced out by Covid-19.
“They (Zemura and Solanke) were late dropouts. They were dropouts, it was disappointing,” said Parker after the match.
“Dom’s felt his ankle yesterday morning, so didn’t feel he could play today. We didn’t want to risk that.
“JZ felt ill yesterday. Bit of a disruption, really, that late on, when you’re trying to prepare.”
Asked how much disruption caused by the pair’s absence, Parker added: “It affects it, of course it does.
“When you have late decisions to make, and you’ve done a lot of work in the week to prep for that… but that’s not the reason.
“It wasn’t ideal. Like I said, I thought to a man, my players gave everything they could today.
“They left everything out there. The difference was in quality. The levels were just too good.”– Agencies.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter