Former West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Mowbray has urged fans to get behind skipper Chris Brunt.
The Ulsterman was jeered by fans earlier this season.
Mowbray told the Sunday Mercury: "I can only say very, very positive things about Brunty.
"Sometimes guys who have been at a club a long time are the easier ones to single out. I experienced it towards the end of my time playing at Middlesbrough.
"I did find it difficult when I saw that. He works extremely hard and has an extremely good left foot.
"I can still see in my mind's eye him swinging the ball over from the left to Zoltan Gera arriving on the right and heading it in.
"Chris can take care of himself. He is a quality footballer and it will only take a few goals from 30 yards to get him back in the good books."
