Last updated: 2nd December 2008
Ince: Hit back at critics
Paul Ince has launched a scathing attack on the critics he claims are trying to bring Blackburn down.
Rovers have slipped to 19th place in the Premier League table after a dismal run of nine games without a win to pile the pressure on the former England international.
Ince only took charge at Ewood Park in the summer in his first top-flight appointment following stints with Macclesfield and MK Dons.
But their recent slide has seen the manager's position come under the spotlight, although Ince insists they will prove the doubters wrong.
He said: "There are people trying to tear this club apart and it's bang out of order.
"People want us to fail, to not do well, to not succeed, and to not stay up.
"But that gives me and my players the strength to prove people wrong, and now we have to start doing that.
"We have to remain strong, and hopefully we'll keep it strong."
Ince believes the situation needs to be put into perspective, adding: "When you aren't doing well there's going to be negativity.
"But you have to realise we're only four points behind Manchester City, and they've spent £50million.
"Tottenham and Newcastle are down there, as are Sunderland who have spent £80million, so let's get the facts right first."
Ince believes he needs time to make his mark on the Blackburn squad he inherited from Mark Hughes.
And he insists he has the full support of all his players and chairman John Williams as he bids to turn things around in the North West.
He said: "Everybody clamours for a British manager these days, but we all need time.
"That's what annoys me because people do try to tear up clubs and young managers so early in their careers, but you can't have it both ways.
"After the defeat at Portsmouth at the weekend we all had a chat.
"A few of the lads stood up, people like Roque (Santa Cruz), and they all said how important it is to keep working, to keep spirits and morale up and not to listen to all the negativity.
"The lads know it's going to be a battle, but they said 'Listen, we're all in it together, let's work hard, be positive and we can get through this situation we're in.'
"As for John Williams, he has done nothing but back me. We all know where we are, but we also know we've got games to rectify that.
"As long as you've the support of the chairman, that's all that matters."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Wigan |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Man City |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs Sunderland |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Arsenal |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Birmingham |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Wolverhampton vs West Ham |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Birmingham vs Portsmouth |
| 19:45 | Burnley vs Man Utd |
| 19:45 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| 19:45 | Hull vs Tottenham |
| 19:45 | Sunderland vs Chelsea |
| 19:45 | Wigan vs Wolverhampton |
| Wednesday 19th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Liverpool vs Stoke |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Portsmouth |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Burnley vs Everton |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 1 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Blackburn 0 - 0 West Brom | |
| Hull 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Man City 1 - 0 Bolton | |
| Sunderland 2 - 3 Chelsea | |
| Fulham 0 - 2 Everton | |
| Arsenal 4 - 1 Stoke | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Wigan 1 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Liverpool 3 - 1 Tottenham | |
| Monday 18th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Portsmouth 3 - 1 Sunderland | |
| Sunday 17th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 2 - 0 Blackburn | |
| West Brom 0 - 2 Liverpool | |
| Saturday 16th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 0 - 1 Fulham | |
| Bolton 1 - 1 Hull | |
| Stoke 2 - 0 Wigan | |
| Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Tottenham 2 - 1 Man City | |
| Everton 3 - 1 West Ham | |
| Man Utd 0 - 0 Arsenal | |
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