Sunderland midfielder Jack Rodwell understands the jeers from fans during and after defeat to Aston Villa.
Scarves and ripped-up season tickets were hurled at his coaching staff.
Rodwell said: "I've never experienced anything ever like that before.
"We were told before kick-off it was a near sell-out. We were all very up for it. We knew it was a massive game.
"We let ourselves down so badly in the first half. When we went out there we kind of zoned out.
"Booing is part and parcel of football and you can't let it affect you.
"They are entitled to their opinion. If I had been watching that, I would probably have been doing the same. They pay their hard-earned money and the least we can do is try to pay them back and we didn't.
"All I can say is it's not through a lack of effort. We just need them to stay with us."