Southampton fans hammer Jack Wilshere on Twitter

On-loan Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has settled well on the south coast, having already played more minutes this term than over the last two seasons combined.

However, it seems he has not quite taken to the politics of local rivalries in his temporary home, something which has left him open for a battering on social media.

Wilshere and his Bournemouth teammates host fellow southerners Southampton at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday and whilst it can be considered a local rivalry, considering they are separated only by the New Forest, it is far from what many would call a derby.

This is a belief held more fervently by the St. Mary’s faithful, who will – in a heartbeat – tell you that the only south coast derby worth thinking about is that between themselves and fallen rivals, Portsmouth.

So, when the Cherries midfielder seemingly innocently tweeted on Tuesday night to state his excitement for playing in a south coast derby, well it didn’t sit to well with those from just down the coast in Hampshire.

The Saints fans, well it’s fair to say they haven’t held back…

@JackWilshere Didn’t know Saints were playing Pompey

— bill (@billy_coleman19) December 14, 2016

@JackWilshere it’s not a derby . You guys really want one but the fact is we actually quite like you lot.

— Dave Truman (@DaveTrumanSFC) December 14, 2016

@JackWilshere South coast Derby??
What did they do with you!?

— King Virgil (@SaintsWorld_) December 14, 2016

@JackWilshere HAHAHA GOOD ONE forgot you played for portsmouth but I suppose you have played to a league two standard for a lot of 16/17

— eddie moore (@eduardomsfc) December 14, 2016

Even the Pompey fans are supporting their fierce rivals…

@JackWilshere 1/2 Bournemouth vs scum isn’t a south coast derby. There is only one derby down here that matters, and that’s Pompey v scum!

— Bradley Wareham (@Braderleyy) December 14, 2016