Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Nelsen hopes fans can be a positive force as they attempt to climb the table.

The New Zealand international was in the stands as Rovers played out their second half against Manchester City to jeers last time out at Ewood, with plans of more protests in the pipeline this weekend.

Nelsen though believes any negative atmosphere can only have a detrimental effect on the players as they go in search of just a second league win of the campaign.

He told the Lancashire Telegraph: "Of course it is so painful to hear. You can understand the frustrations from the fans but if they could imagine the frustrations the coaching staff and players are going through, it is probably 10 times that.

"We have to live through it, it is our jobs. The pain we are feeling is indescribable at the moment.

"In my time at the club the fans have been amazing. They have got us over the line in so many games, they have given us support and got us points when we probably wouldn't have got them otherwise.

"They are a massive influence on how the team does but there is a flip side to that as well. We hear disgruntled comments and all that and it affects the team as well. Especially when we are in the position we are in and we need all the support we can get.

"The fans 100 per cent helped to keep us in the Premier League over the last few seasons. They are incredible fans."