Friday 9 February 2018 11:47, UK
Sunderland manager Chris Coleman says the club's fans need to get behind the team amid talk of protests.
The Wearside club are second from bottom in the Championship and the former Wales boss says they're in the "middle of tornado".
Sunderland go to sixth-placed Bristol City on Saturday hoping to stop their losing run after three consecutive defeats.
Coleman said: "I completely understand the frustration of the supporters, who wouldn't.
"All I will say from me to them, if we have ever needed them more than we do know I'd hate to see the situation we were in before. We absolutely need them.
"I know they are angry, they have every right to be. We have never needed them more than we do now. Simple as that."
Coleman has been in charge of 13 league matches since replacing Simon Grayson in November.
After losing two of his first eight games, Sunderland's form has dropped since the start of 2018 with four defeats in their last five.
The 47-year-old says it is his toughest challenge to try and steer Sunderland back up the table.
He added: "This is not a hopeless case but we have to do it. I am not pointing fingers at players, it is all of us.
"I haven't faced tougher. It was a different challenge with Wales. Before I got them going it took me a year or year and a bit but I haven't got that time here.
"We're right in the middle of a tornado. I don't think I have faced any challenges tougher than this one."
You can follow how Sunderland get on against Bristol City with live updates on Soccer Saturday from 3pm live on Sky Sports Football.
