AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth defender Chris Mepham says that the team have been “well below their usual standards” following the defeat to Derby County.
The Cherries were beaten by the Rams at Pride Park and weren’t at their fluent best in a scrappy game in the East Midlands.
After taking one point from the last nine available, Mepham told afcb.co.uk he feels that the team need to give more after a frustrating period for the team.
The Wales international said: “We have so much more to give.
“First and foremost, players need to look at themselves individually and say, am I giving 100% as we’re not playing to our usual standards.
“If you’re not at it in this league you can get caught out, much like we did when Derby scored.
“We are falling short in all areas and it is costing us heavily at the minute.
“It’s always important not to let your emotions get the better of you despite the frustration, we have to stay positive and believe we can come out of this bad spell and show how good we are with quality and hard work.”
One of the positives however from the defeat at Pride Park was Mepham’s return from the sidelines.
The central defender played 45 minutes and came through unscathed following a calf injury.
It was his first game since the 0-0 draw at Swansea back at the start of December and the 23-year-old is keen to be a positive influence now he’s returned.
“Obviously it’s such a negative result tonight but on a personal level I’m pleased with how I felt physically,” he continued.
“In a perfect world I’d come back in a winning performance and it’s been frustrating at times missing out on the games watching the lads Saturdays and Tuesdays.
“But I’m back and feel okay after that, now I need to be a positive influence on the team.
“We’re not in the absolute worst position in the league, but we need to go on a run now and get four or five wins in a row. It’s been a while since we’ve had that and you feel like you’re due one, but we have to work hard to make that happen.
“I’ll be giving my all to help make that happen now I’m back and it’s so important for us to stick together, remain positive and start getting positive results.”
