Defiant Blackburn manager Steve Kean vowed not to be forced out by fans and insisted it is up to him, the players and other supporters to silence the dissenters.
The 3-1 defeat at Stoke means Kean has the unenviable record of just six wins in 34 league matches since taking over from Sam Allardyce last December. Within 12 seconds of kick-off a portion of the small contingent of travelling supporters were chanting "Kean out".
The Rovers boss, who it was revealed this week has signed a new contract, said he empathised with fans but he was not affected by their calls for his sacking, and he said: "I put it to the back of my mind. I am focused on the job. They can voice their frustrations; we are frustrated we didn't get anything from this game so I can share their frustrations."
He added: "I think if there are a few fans shouting then they can shout what they want.
"All I want to do is for the fans to go home happy because they have seen us winning and play well. If the fans are complaining and shouting against me I just want them to go home and have a good weekend.
"We are working for the same thing. Hopefully I can turn them around, hopefully we can turn them around because I don't just think it is me, it is the players and the rest of the fans - the majority of the fans - who want the same thing."
Opposite number Tony Pulis, who saw his own side's four-match losing streak in the league ended, offered Kean some advice.
"I've been fortunate - or unfortunate - to be a manager for a long time and it is a lonely job when it is not going well," he said. "The most important thing you learn and you have to focus on is you cannot affect what happens outside your club.
"What you can affect is the players and the performances and you have to concentrate really hard - and that is difficult.
"He is a young manager and if he wants to stay in the game and be managing for a long time he has to overcome that. It is difficult but you have to accept it."
Source: PA
