Last Updated: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:43
Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has given his full backing to boss Steve Bruce and has urged the fans to also support him.
Bruce is coming under fire from some sections of the Sunderland support following a poor run of form that has left the Black Cats looking over their shoulder at the drop zone.
It is a stark contrast to the start of the season when it looked as though they were ready mount a challenge for Europe but now some fans are calling for the manager's head.
However, Quinn has given Bruce his full backing and wants the fans to do the same.
"We all hoped at the start of the season that we could have a comfortable year," Quinn revealed. "Well, the reality is that we can't, so we have to knuckle down and drive forward.
"People can moan out about it and that's fine. If any Sunderland fans think they are doing themselves or the club a favour by putting more pressure on the situation, that's for them to decide.
"But having been there and done it, I know the best thing is when everybody gets behind the team because that helps the players to get their confidence back and turn the corner. Let's do that together and get ourselves up the league again."