WARREN Cummings is vowing to fight for his Cherries future after admitting his recent fall from grace has seen him go from “hero to zero”.

Cummings, currently Cherries’ longest-serving player, earned a recall for Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Rochdale after losing his place due to a loss of form.

Jeered by some supporters during his last appearance against Morecambe, the one-time fans’ favourite was subsequently dropped to the bench for the FA Cup clash with Blyth Spartans.

And the Scotsman, who had previously only missed one game under Jimmy Quinn, was then left out of the 16-man squad for the 3-3 draw at Luton and was an unused substitute against Chester.

Cummings told the Daily Echo: “It’s been difficult. It was pretty obvious that my form wasn’t very good so I was happy to be back in the team for Rochdale.

“You always want the team to do well and you want to do well for yourself. I’ve taken a bit of criticism from the fans but you’ve got to take that on the chin because it’s part and parcel of football.

“If the manager picks me then it must mean I deserve to be in the team and, if he doesn’t, then it means I don’t. He picked me for Rochdale so hopefully I can stay in the team.”

Asked whether boss Quinn had spoken to him about his dip in form, Cummings said he had but that their discussions would remain “between me and him”.

He added: “I’m happy to be a Bournemouth player. I’ve always thoroughly enjoyed playing here and I’ve got great affinity for the club. I’ve been here longer than anyone else and I want that to continue.

“What I’ve been through recently has been different territory for me but it has probably built up over a period of time. It’s not nice but it’s something you’ve got to take. But I’m not doing it for anyone other than the person who picks the team and my family and myself.”

Cummings played his part as Cherries claimed a share of the spoils at Spotland after Lee Bradbury’s first-half penalty had been cancelled out by Adam Le Fondre’s 67th-minute effort.

Cherries skipper Shaun Cooper said: “It was a good point for us because Rochdale are a good team, better than I thought they would be. I thought the lads were quality.

“We stuck at it and worked really hard. We always looked like we could nick a goal and the front two looked very lively. I thought Scott Guyett was brilliant, particularly as he has been ill.”

Cooper also acted as peacemaker after goalkeeper Shwan Jalal and midfielder Marvin Bartley had exchanged words during a very public second-half verbal spat.

“It’s just something that happens in football,” said Cooper. “They had an argument about one thing and another and it just got a bit heated. But it showed how much the lads wanted to get a positive result.

“After we had lost at Accrington last month, I heard someone from the crowd shouting ‘where’s you pride and passion?’ and it annoyed me because those are things the lads have got an abundance of.”

Meanwhile, striker Michael Symes, who watched Saturday’s draw from the stands, has returned to his parent club Shrewsbury following the end of his loan spell with Cherries.

  • The Daily Echo has forwarded a copy of the recent AFC Bournemouth Supporters’ Trust statement to both Alastair Saverimutto and Paul Baker. We are currently awaiting a response.