AFC Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe says that back-to-back Sky Bet Championship defeats will inspire his side to improve.
The Cherries went down 3-1 to Brentford at the weekend, before throwing away a lead to lose at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.But Howe says criticism of his side will motivate them in upcoming games.
“We shouldn’t have lost those games,” he told BBC Radio Solent. “We have to go away and come back better and stronger for it.
“There’s no doubt everyone will write us off at this stage. From people outside the club, they will say: ‘Well, that’s Bournemouth done’.
“Criticism and negativity fires you up to prove people wrong. It’s up to us to use that for motivation for future successes.
“There are no easy games and we have two tough games ahead now [in Blackburn and Wolves].
“My message to the fans is we need you more than we have done at any other stage this season.
“We can either fade away or come back stronger – we want to come back stronger.
“We are going to need the supporters to play their part in a key stage of the season for us.”
Bournemouth now sit fourth in the table, six points adrift of leaders Derby County, and four behind second-placed Middlesbrough.