Foster perceives criticism as part and parcel of his job as manager

HEAD coach Ian Foster accepts criticism is ‘the nature of the beast’ after coming under fire from fans after Plymouth Argyle’s worrying run of recent results.

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

The Pilgrims are only two points clear of the Championship relegation positions in what is a very congested bottom half of the table after losing five of their last seven matches, most recently the 1-0 defeat at 23rdplaced Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night.

Foster has taken charge of just 10 Championship fixtures since being appointed by Argyle on January 5 and his record stands at three wins, two draws and five defeats.

The recent results have increased the pressure on the 47-year-old and his players as they look to make sure the Pilgrims stay in the Championship for next season, and criticism in these circumstances is inevitable, even though Foster has been at Home Park for only a couple of months.

Foster said: “Respectfully, I’m not aware of that stuff because I don’t look on social media, I don’t read certain websites so there is not a great deal we can do about that, that’s the nature of the beast.

“I’m sure if you look at Manchester United and Chelsea at times their high-profile managers get some of the abuse they get, and some of the abuse I’m getting. Is it fair? Probably not. Does it go over the line? I’m sure it does. But does it affect how we work? No it doesn’t.

“We have got to stay true to what we believe in. What I would always assure the supporters is that as a group of staff and a group of players we give everything we can to maximise our efforts to go and win games of football for Plymouth Argyle.