JZ understands why he can’t always play
BOURNEMOUTH. - Jordan Zemura insists he understands “you can’t play every single minute” as he continues to battle to keep his spot in the Cherries XI.
Zemura’s displays have often stood out when he has taken to the field this season, following his brilliant breakthrough campaign last year in the Championship.
But the 23-year-old has still had to battle hard for a starting spot, left out of the team for six of Cherries’ 15 league matches so far.
Only one of those was enforced, not travelling to Manchester City in August after testing positive for COVID-19.
Other times have seen interim boss Gary O’Neil instead prefer to use Ryan Fredericks or Adam Smith from the left, switching between a back four and back five, with Marcus Tavernier also operating as left-wing-back on occasion.
Zemura’s performances when he is called upon have seen fans call for the former Charlton Athletic youngster to play even more regularly, having completed 90 minutes just twice in the past eight fixtures.
Discussing recent weeks, being in and out of the team, Zemura told the Daily Echo: “Gaz and the coaches like Shaun Cooper and Tommy Elphick, we really appreciate them and at the end of the day it’s a game of football, you have to make sure you’re ready when called upon.
“For me personally, it’s football. You can’t play every single minute.
“You have to make sure when you’re there you’ve got to give your best.
“The competition is amazing within the squad. So you have to play well to continue playing.”
Cherries are now on a break from fixtures, with players given some time off during the World Cup break.
Zemura was pictured on holiday in New York last week with close friend and teammate Jaidon Anthony.