Joleon Lescott has claimed that Alan Irvine should not be blamed for West Bromwich Albion's poor form.

Irvine was targeted by the travelling supporters after the Baggies slipped to a 2-0 defeat to Stoke City on Sunday, but Lescott believes that his boss should not be held responsible for another poor display.

"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," the central defender told reporters.

"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."

West Brom will look to get back on track when they travel to East London to face West Ham United on New Year's Day.