UNDERFIRE Cherries boss Kevin Bond has sounded out a defiant message to the Dean Court doubters: "We won't go down."

Bond was a target for the boo-boys as Cherries crashed to another depressing defeat at Millwall on Saturday.

A section of the away support called for his head as goals from Jamie O'Hara and Will Hoskins left Cherries in desperate trouble at the foot of League One.

But despite seeing his side muster just eight points from their opening 12 league games, Bond is convinced he can turn the tide.

Asked by the Daily Echo for his reaction to the chants, Bond replied: "I don't know whether they're aware of the circumstances that we are under at this moment in time.

"I don't know whether they know that Jo Kuffour and Adam Lallana weren't fit to play and I don't know if they know that my team is picking itself at the moment. I had 11 fit players.

"I know people hope to get a (positive) result but I don't know how they expect you to get one. It's difficult when you're in the situation that we're in.

"The lads had a go and I would never accuse them of not giving their best but it is hard. I don't think for one moment that we will go down. We've got 30-odd games to go.

"I think we're going through an extremely difficult period. We need to get some players back. We need to get help in terms of bringing players in if we can, otherwise it will be difficult for us.

"But that's the situation we're in. I know everyone is disappointed and wants us to do better but sometimes what you want and what you hope for and expect are different."

Bond was also asked whether he felt former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho would struggle to revive Cherries' fortunes.

He replied: "You can make a change at a football club and sometimes you will find that because it's a fresh face, it has an impact, certainly initially. It doesn't always work though.

"From a club's point of view, there would be a cost associated with changing things and we haven't got any money at this football club.

"If changes have to be made then I would sooner that finance, if there were any, was made available to me to be able to try to help us out of the situation that we're in.

"I don't profess to be a miracle worker or any greater than anybody else doing this type of job. Under the circumstances, I think anybody would find it extremely difficult."

Cherries were well beaten by Millwall before Lee Bradbury popped up with an injury-time consolation goal.

The Daily Echo was yesterday unable to contact Cherries chairman Jeff Mostyn for a comment on the club's current situation.