Monday 29 December 2014 07:25, UK
The blame for West Brom's poor performances rests with the players, not manager Alan Irvine, says Joleon Lescott.
Irvine was subject to loud booing from the travelling Albion fans after the 2-0 defeat at Stoke, which marked his side’s seventh loss in nine outings and leaves them hovering just above the Premier League relegation zone.
Lescott admitted the result was disappointing but he remains confident the team are united behind their manager.
“Of course they (the fans) are entitled to their opinion,” Lescott told Sky Sports.
“Some of it is obviously harsh but they have paid their money, they have travelled up here so they are entitled to their opinion, but hopefully they understand that we are trying and we are behind the manager and we want to win games.
“It’s wrong that the manager is under pressure because it is the players who are putting in the performances like that and not getting the results.
“In previous games we have made errors and conceded goals but today I can’t really say that was the case, it was just a case of we were not good enough when we had our chances and collectively as a team."
West Brom now have to steel themselves for another tough away match against West Ham on New Year's Day.
Lescott added: “There is no time to dwell on the result: even if we had won today we would have had to go into the West Ham game feeling the same way, with the same ambition and the same goal, and that is to win the game. “
