West Bromwich Albion defender Joleon Lescott insists manager Alan Irvine is not to blame for their poor form.

Lescott admitted defeat to Stoke City was disappointing but he remains confident the team are united behind their manager.

"Of course they (the fans) are entitled to their opinion," Lescott told Sky Sports.

"Some of it is obviously harsh but they have paid their money, they have travelled up here so they are entitled to their opinion, but hopefully they understand that we are trying and we are behind the manager and we want to win games.

"It's wrong that the manager is under pressure because it is the players who are putting in the performances like that and not getting the results.

"In previous games we have made errors and conceded goals but today I can't really say that was the case, it was just a case of we were not good enough when we had our chances and collectively as a team."