There were chants from supporters against Foster both during and after the Pilgrims’ 1-0 defeat by Preston North End at Home Park
Despite calls from some members of the Green Army to fire Ian Foster during and after Plymouth Argyle’s 1-0 loss to Preston North End, Foster has stated he will keep working hard to turn things around at the team.
The Pilgrims have now lost their previous four games at Home Park without scoring a goal, and a large number of the supporters expressed their displeasure with Foster as a result of their anger. Since taking over in early January, the 47-year-old has only overseen 12 Championship games; yet, a concerning sequence of results has seen Argyle slip to 18th in the standings, just two points above the relegation zone.
Foster stated: “I understand your frustration; I really do. It’s okay if they want to vent their resentment at me. Does it assist? Not really. Since we are all on the same squad, it doesn’t really help either of us—me or the players.
You are a candidate for manager of the month if you go back to January. They want you fired by the middle of March. Is that a football match? Maybe it is. Is it just? To tell the truth, I’m not entirely sure.
“However, consider this: supporters have every right to express their opinions because they have paid for them. Football games are the only way we can turn things around. and I get that.
Supporters can rest assured that we are making a valiant effort to achieve that, as evidenced by the players’ demeanour and effort throughout the match.
“I understand your frustration. I mean, I love football too. I understand the frustrations of my supporters, and all I can really do is improve the outcomes.”
In recent away games against Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers, Argyle have displayed some strong attacking displays and generated some wonderful chances; however, at Home Park, the situation has been the exact opposite.
If Mustapha Bundu’s header at the end of the first half’s eight minutes of extra time hadn’t gone inches wide of the post, the outcome might have been very different.
The manager of the Pilgrims also believed that his team should have received a penalty kick from referee John Busby in the final moments of the game following a challenge on Ryan Hardie, the striker.
Foster was questioned regarding the distinction between Argyle’s home and away performances against Middlesbrough and Blackburn.
“You have to respect your opponents,” he retorted. Preston is a club that is attempting to qualify for the postseason and has defeated several strong teams in its division in recent weeks.
“We have dominated possession and produced scoring opportunities, but we haven’t been as aggressive when it counts. It has narrow borders.
It’s a different situation if Mustapha Bundu’s header is six inches in the opposite direction. If the referee does his job correctly, we have a chance to equalise and it’s a penalty. After that, who knows?
“As a collection of players, a coaching staff, and a coach, one thing is certain: we will stay upbeat. We are aware of the role; it has always been to remain in the division.
“Is it simple? Is this thing hell? Wouldn’t it be lovely to receive the fans’ backing? Naturally, it would, but I understand that the supporters might not have seen my squad at its best at Home Park, and I sympathise with their grievances. I have an obligation to change that.
“We’ll be working extremely hard to do that. The response we’re getting today is regrettable; personally, my family is also in the stadium, so it’s not very pleasant for them, but that’s the life of a football coach, you know. You fluctuate in height.”
When asked how he and Argyle might make things better, he responded, “You win football games.” You continue to put up a lot of effort and labour.
“There is a group of really frustrated and disappointed people in there (the home changing room) who are hurting, but we have got to continue to just work hard on the training ground to turn it around, and trust me we will continue to do that.”
Foster went on, “I have a strong sense of character, a great deal of self-belief, faith in the players, and faith in the goals and methods we are attempting to pursue.
“I refuse to give in, but I also don’t have the patience to sit here and make excuses. Not at all. I’ll be working tomorrow and tonight while keeping an eye on the game, and I’ll keep up my diligent work for this football team. That is who I am, nothing more.”
Ryan Lowe, the previous manager of Preston’s Argyle, gave Foster a hug as soon as the final whistle blew, and then the Pilgrims’ manager stepped onto the pitch to thank the supporters, albeit he was not well-received by those in
Foster stated: “We exchanged well wishes and he (Lowe) said some nice things. Football isn’t always a bed of roses, I know that. I understand that the fans are currently dissatisfied and irritated with me personally.
“I get it completely. We’re not winning football games, therefore I’m at a loss for an explanation right now. All I can say to the supporters is that we are putting in a lot of effort to reverse this recent trend of poor performance.”
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