Justin Poore is sticking with the Parramatta Eels

HIS side has been pilloried for a disastrous season but Parramatta forward Justin Poore has a message for all the critics.

HIS side has been pilloried for a disastrous season but Parramatta forward Justin Poore has a message for all the critics.

"I'm proud to say I play for the Parramatta Eels," he said. Poore and his Eels tackle Penrith this weekend for what could be the NRL's wooden spoon showdown.

Earlier this week, Poore was reportedly poised to quit the Eels mid-season to join either Newcastle or Canberra.But yesterday Poore said he was "committed" to remaining at Parramatta.

"I love the club," Poore said. "I've spoken to Steve (Kearney) about it and he's told me to concentrate on footy and the more I do that the better I play."

Poore rejected calls for an immediate clean-out at Parramatta. "If you went and sat down with every bloke, you would be so impressed with their character - clubs just go through tough times and we're going through it at the moment," he said.

Follow @Telegraph_Sport on Twitter and like Telegraph Sport on Facebook