AS Roma legend Daniele De Rossi has slammed critics of coach Paulo Fonseca.

De Rossi insists Roma fans should be happy with the work of Fonseca this season.

“Roma sit fourth in the table and are going to face Udinese and Benevento next, it's crazy to question him," De Rossi said.

“He has had highs and lows and it's clear Roma are struggling against the top clubs. However, I am not saying they should be satisfied, they can't be pleased with winning against the small clubs and losing against the big clubs, they must aim for something better.

“In terms of playing style and results, Fonseca is living up to expectations, maybe he is even doing something more even if Roma are not inferior to Milan, Napoli, Lazio or Atalanta.

“Ambition is the key, last year a spoke to a Roma director who told me he was happy with how things were going.

“Roma were fifth in the table and it was not right to say things were running smoothly in that position."