David Moyes sympathised with Sunderland supporters after the club's struggles continued with another defeat against West Brom.
Saturday's 2-0 loss at The Hawthorns saw Sunderland slump back to the bottom of the Premier League table and the players were booed off at both half-time and full-time by those fans who travelled.
The Black Cats, suffering with absences through injury and players away at the Africa Cup of Nations, have now lost nine of their 11 away matches in the league, scoring just six goals, and are three points adrift of safety.
Moyes said: 'I totally understand them.