Ince blasts 'out of order' critics

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Blackburn boss Paul Ince has savaged the critics he feels are trying to tear the club apart.

Just a few months into his tenure at Ewood Park, Ince is under fire after a wretched run of nine Barclays Premier League games without a win, with Rovers one place off the foot of the table.

The only glimmer of light was a Carling Cup win at Sunderland last month to set up tomorrow's quarter-final with former club Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Ince maintains he has the full support of chairman John Williams, and that the players are unified and determined to fight their way out of trouble.

He also insists he is thick-skinned enough to withstand the flak flying his way, even if he believes much of it is venomous and uncalled for.

"There are people trying to tear this club apart and it's bang out of order," Ince said.

"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, like any new manager trying to make his mark, is demanding time to build his own squad.

It has become commonplace for managers to hold up Sir Alex Ferguson as a role model for what can be achieved if given such time.

Ince's view is more credible than most as he was in his first season at United when Ferguson came close to being sacked

"He is the greatest manager of all time and I learned a lot from him," Ince added.

"But you go back to 1990 and he was probably 20 minutes away from the sack until Mark Robins scored that winner against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.

"It would have been easy to sack him if they had lost, but look at him now. He is the greatest manager we've ever had.

"Everybody clamours for a British manager these days, but we all need time.

"I think I saw something from Sparky (Mark Hughes) today saying he needs time. You do need time to build things.

"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."

At least Ince feels blessed with a strong chairman at his side and strong players willing to stand up for one another.

"After the defeat at Portsmouth at the weekend we all had a chat," Ince revealed.

"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."

Defender Martin Olsson is available after serving a one-match ban, but on-loan United defender Danny Simpson and midfielder Keith Andrews are ineligible.

Vince Grella (calf), David Dunn (Achilles) and Steven Reid (knee) remain sidelined through injury.