Dagenham & Redbridge boss thanks supporters despite section chanting for his departure
Wayne Burnett says he fully comprehends the frustrations of Dagenham & Redbridge fans after a number called for the manager to go during the 2-0 loss at home to Luton Town.
In the final stages of the defeat, which was Daggers eighth match at Victoria Road without a win this season, supporters behind the goal the hosts were attacking chanted “Burnett Out”.
The Daggers boss has seen the fans vent their anger in recent weeks, including several choosing to watch a park game behind the terrace rather than the previous loss at Accrington Stanley, but says they are all well within their rights to voice their concern.
“I can’t dictate their behaviour. I can understand it and understand that emotions are running high. We’ve won one game so why would they be happy?,” said Burnett.
“The majority of fans have been brilliant. They’ve been fully supportive and if they look at the Luton game, they’ll see we had a go. We tried but individual errors cost us again.
“They want to win like we do and the majority have been brilliant. I can’t govern or dictate certain sections of supporters because that’s down to them.
“They pay their money to watch the game and if they decide that’s what they want to do, then that’s what they want to do.”
Burnett also appears unable to dictate the club’s luck which horribly went missing against the Hatters in the build-up to the visitors’ second.
In the 63rd minute, Ashley Hemmings went clear and but fired wide when one-on-one with Luton stopper Mark Tyler when it looked easier to score.
From the resulting goal kick, Town went down the other end with Alex Lawless scoring after some comical defending to add to Luke Guttridge’s opener.
The game and the result would have been different had Hemmings scored and like he has so often in recent weeks, Burnett was left to think about what might have been.
He added: “It’s fine margins. Ashley has gone through one-on-one with their goalkeeper and you expect him to score but he hasn’t.
“They go up the other end and score. It’s 2-0 and it’s pretty much game over. We huffed and puffed but they sat behind the ball and it was difficult to break them down.”
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