Ince happy to take the flak

Thick-skinned Blackburn boss Paul Ince is determined to protect his players from the rising negativity surrounding his reign.

After just a few months in the job at Ewood Park, Ince is under severe pressure after a run of nine Barclays Premier League matches without a win.

Heading into tomorrow’s Carling Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford against former club Manchester United, Ince’s side are one place and two points off the foot of the table.

Ince insists while he can cope with the criticism, it is the players he is more concerned about.

“It’s easy for me to be a target, but I’ve got thick skin,” Ince said.

“I don’t really care what other people say about me or what people write about me.

“All I care about are my players. They’re the most important people to me.

“It’s important I come in every day smiling and making sure they’re happy and then they’re prepared to hopefully get a win tomorrow and three points on Saturday.”

Ince has dismissed speculation linking Robbie Fowler with a move to Grimsby, although the striker could yet move on in the near future.

Fowler has made just five appearances this season under Ince, who said: “It’s been hard to blood Robbie into the starting XI because of the situation we’re in.

“The same goes with Carlos (Villanueva). We’ve not had too much opportunity to throw them in and have a look at them.

“I know Robbie’s dying to get out on the pitch and show what he can do.

“Around the changing room the lads love him, and he’s experienced. He’s good for the club.

“We’ll sit down and see where we go from here, but as far as Grimsby’s concerned, I don’t know anything about that.”