Why Villa ace’s plea must be met with positive reaction rather than backlash

“We smashed Newcastle, go and lose at Wembley and in a tough game at City and it is like everyone is on us a little bit. It is like ‘calm down’. We are trying our best, we are trying to win.

“We beat Newcastle, beat Brighton away and there are so many other games recently we have won, that I can’t remember. We are happy today.

“It was a setback [Palace defeat], but the occasion, you are playing at Wembley and a few boys who were playing there for the first time. There are loads of factors included.

“Obviously, you are playing against a good team. People expected us to turn up at Wembley and smash Palace 3-0, it does not work like that. They are playing against a good team who were in good form.

“We were all disappointed. We want to win as many games as we can. But people need to realise we are humans, we are trying our best.

“Playing a lot of games, consistently, against good teams you are going to have spells when you lose, when you are not as consistent.

“We are still in a great position, joint-fifth in the league fighting for the Champions League. We just need the fans to be with us. We don’t need them against us. We need them supporting us.

“Sometimes you see things on social media and you think, just stick with us. We have three massive games now and try to give us as much confidence as you can.

“Even in games and stuff, if things don’t go well it is like there is a big grudge against us, do you know what I mean? Be with us, stick with us. That will help us massively in getting over the line. We need that.

“As players you want to prove people wrong. You look at the position we are in now, compared to three years ago and it is almost like, things have happened so quickly at the club, which is fantastic but you need to realise how far we have come in such a short space of time.

“Everyone is in it together. The fans are in it, the manager is fantastic and demanding and the players, we are doing our best. Sometimes you are going to have tough times and we need them to be the extra man.

“Sometimes I feel like they can be a little bit against us. I understand fans have their own opinions and too right they can moan, they pay for us, their money to be here. But we need them now to be with us the whole way because they are the difference.

“We are right in it. You have us, Newcastle, Chelsea, Forest who are all in the same boat. That is why I am talking so much about the people outside and how we need them to help us get through.

“We are trying our best and we need them to support us and get us over the line. They can make a massive difference. Especially here at Villa Park.

“We also appreciate the travelling they do around the country. As players we love that, we love them being with us. But we just want them to be with us to get us over the line.”

It’s certainly easy to see why many will only be more frustrated and disappointed following these comments, as they can be interpreted as a dig at the fans at a time when ticket prices are going up and the team has ultimately fallen short of some major objectives this season.

However, at the core of Cash’s message is a simple plea to support the players and give that extra boost that the fans are capable of providing, and it’s hoped that that is the overriding message that gets across as we head into a fundamental three-game stretch that could define our season and short-term future.

A negative reaction will help no one as it creates an unwanted atmosphere and adds pressure rather than building confidence and inspiring the players to go that extra yard.

A significant Villa contingent will undoubtedly travel to Bournemouth and Manchester United, while there should be a raucous Villa Park atmosphere in our final home game of the campaign against Tottenham.

In turn, it’s hoped that we all channel our emotions in the best way possible to give the team a lift, and hopefully Cash’s comments have the desired effect of rallying all concerned, rather than the negative backlash that can be seen in some of the comments in response.