Foster took particular exception to the abuse that the Northern Ireland midfielder received. He defended Brunt’s work rate and contribution over the years, and said that the stick that came his way was unjustified and counter-productive.
“It is absolutely ridiculous that somebody who has been an incredible servant to this club for such a long time gets that,” Foster said. “He always gives his all and he’s somebody I would always have in the team. It’s not needed. It is really silly. It doesn’t help at all. It’s pathetic, to be honest.
“He is everything we’re about. He works his socks off. There’s no need to boo somebody. If he very obviously wasn’t putting it in or couldn’t be bothered, then fair enough, but that’s not the case. Nobody likes that [being booed], I don’t care who you are, whether you’re the manager, the goalkeeper or centre-forward.
“If you’re getting ridiculed and abused like that, it affects you and there’s no need for it. These are our supporters and we need our supporters to support us and not do things like that. It’s not nice. You can understand frustration but it’s not like we’re not trying. If that happens, fans are well within their rights to do whatever they like.
“If they can see the club isn’t putting it in and the players aren’t working, they can boo, but that’s not the case.”
