Monday 29 September 2014 18:28, UK
Steve Watson has urged critics to lay off Birmingham boss Lee Clark and insisted his friend does not deserve the abuse.
The St Andrew's assistant insisted Clark is working around the clock to try to turn their season around.
They go to Millwall on Tuesday fourth bottom of the Sky Bet Championship after Saturday's 2-1 home defeat to Fulham.
We are not just staff, we're very close so I have seen first hand how hard it hits him (Clark).
Birmingham have won just once this season with Clark under fire from fans but Watson is supporting him.
"We are not just staff, we're very close so I have seen first hand how hard it hits him. I have seen him go home at night to his family," he said.
"That's why I find it really difficult to walk down the tunnel with him after a game and hear some of the things being shouted at him.
"I know how hard he is working.
"We're there for him and he's not an excuse-maker, he believes in hard work and rolling his sleeves up.
"As devastated as he was on Saturday night he was in at 7.30am on Sunday trying to work it out."
Blues lost to Fulham despite taking the lead and are winless in their last eight games in all competitions but Watson believes their fortunes can turn around quickly.
"It's confidence. Some of these lads might not have played consistently at this level before or been in successful sides who have won things," he said.
"When you get defeated and you felt you've played well it might hit them harder. It's up to us to instil that mental strength in them.
"It'll take a couple of good results and hopefully it's Tuesday."
