Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has no doubts Blackburn Rovers fans are contributing to the club's relegation woes.

Pardew claims Blackburn fans are harming their own team with their "vicious" attacks on Kean.

Pardew, who worked with Kean at Reading, said: "If they want to carry on like they are doing, all they are going to do is harm their own team. I can't see the logic in that.

"It's a sign of the game. I don't know whether 20, 30 years ago, it would have been quite as vicious to Steve Kean.

"I know him well - he's a personal friend of mine - so I have great sympathy for the position he is in.

"There are a lot of factors in why he's receiving that. I don't go along with it and I don't think any member of the LMA (League Managers' Association) would go along with it in their right mind.

"He's trying to do the best job he can do. He has been given the job to do and that's what he is trying to do.

"He should be left alone to do that and it will be beneficial to the team if the fans take that view."