Ince shrugs off concerns
02 Dec 2008 - 13:33:23
Blackburn Rovers boss Paul Ince has brushed off reports that his job is under threat and claims he can cope with the criticism levelled at the club in their current struggles towards the foot of the table.
Ince has come under pressure with his side currently in the midst of a nine-match winless run in the Premier League which has seen them drop to 19th place in the table.
But the former MK Dons and Macclesfield Town boss claims he can cope with the pressure of managing a struggling side and has backed Rovers to turnaround their dismal recent run of results.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday's Carling Cup quarter-final tie against Manchester United, he said: "It's easy for me to be a target, but I've got thick skin.
"I don't really care what other people say about me or what people write about me. All I care about are my players. They're the most important people to me.
"It's important I come in every day smiling and making sure they're happy and then they're prepared to hopefully get a win tomorrow and three points on Saturday."
Meanwhile, Ince has played down reports linking veteran striker Robbie Fowler with a move to Grimsby Town to take up a player-coach role with the League Two side.
"It's been hard to blood Robbie into the starting XI because of the situation we're in," he added. "I know Robbie's dying to get out on the pitch and show what he can do.
"Around the changing room the lads love him, and he's experienced. He's good for the club.
"We'll sit down and see where we go from here, but as far as Grimsby's concerned, I don't know anything about that."