adminALAN Connell revealed that Jordan Zemura popped into the Cherries dressing room following the Under-18s’ defeat to Liverpool in the FA Youth Cup to offer some “words of comfort”.
Defender Zemura was one of a host of first-team players that watched on as Connell’s charges pushed one of the best academies in England all the way, with Cherries losing 2-1 to the Reds despite Finn Tonks’ late injury time goal.
Captain Lloyd Kelly was also in attendance, with first-team coaches Shaun Cooper, Tommy Elphick, and Tim Jenkins also watching on from the stands.
Asked about seeing numerous senior players at the game, Connell told the Daily Echo: “It was nice to see the players here.
“First team staff were here, and JZ (Jordan Zemura) came straight down after the game to speak to the players and myself, which was nice.
“Obviously, he’s come through our academy in recent years, and he was speaking to the players and giving him some words of comfort.
“So as much as we’re disappointed to go out of the competition, the bigger picture is our players learning from these experiences and trying to emulate them boys that have gone on to the first team.
“So if (the) defeat helps individuals realise what it takes, then great. “And that’s the ultimate goal, to see our players play in our first team or hopefully go on to have a successful professional career.”
An academy graduate, Zemura frequently attends development squad games alongside teammate Jaidon Anthony, who also came through the ranks at Cherries before breaking into the first team picture last term.
Zimbabwe international Zemura’s attitude is no surprise to Connell, who believes those that make it into the professional ranks can no longer coast on ability if their application is not also spot on.
He continued: “The days of maybe a player getting through with a bad attitude but he’s a good player, I think they’ve gone.
“I think there’s so much competition in academy football where there’s so many talented players. I think you have to have the lot.
“You look at JZ for example, you look at England with Jude Bellingham and the plaudits he’s had recently. As good as he is as a player, you can see how he’s an all-rounded individual.
“So we have to get that right and that’s the way we recruit, the way we develop and the way we work is to make sure that those characteristics are there.
“I think then when we compete with players of the quality of Liverpool, I think you can see that those values come out.
“I’m proud of every single one of our players for their efforts.” – Bournemouth Echo.
Online Reporter