Palermo coach Giuseppe Sannino says president Maurizio Zamparini's antics are creating unnecessary tension.

The patron said today that his Coach "is not at risk," but also warned him that new signing Paulo Dybala has to be used more often.

"I think a technically valid player can be effective, but only if he has support from the midfield," replied Sannino.

"At the moment we are not managing to keep players like Fabrizio Miccoli in the zone of the pitch where he gives his best and therefore he is unable to be decisive. It's as if we are afraid.

"We have improved in the way we play together, but are still too distant and not attacking enough. These are signs we must reflect on," he added after two 3-0 defeats to Napoli and Lazio.

"The media all say that aside from results and performances, the most important thing is what the President thinks or says. The focus on that aspect is weighing on us.

"After two months this is not the team we wanted to see. You can see the lads have not absorbed the work we've done and certainly this criticism raining down on us has validity.

"In negative moments you see great men and great clubs. We are all aware of the difficult period and it's the only way we can emerge from it, knowing in a League there are sides destined to win and others who have to suffer. We know that we have to suffer."