<
>

Real Betis coach Gus Poyet backed by players - Antonio Adan

Real Betis coach Gustavo Poyet has the full backing of his players despite the former Uruguay star's failure to steer the La Liga side to a home win this season.

Poyet is under fire following Sunday's 1-0 home defeat to Espanyol that left the Seville-based club 13th in the standings with three wins from their opening 10 games.

Betis have mustered just five points of a possible 15 in their five league encounters at their Benito Villamarin stadium, including a 6-1 home defeat to Real Madrid on Oct. 15.

Their fans voiced their frustration during Sunday's game, shouting "Poyet leave now."

The former Sunderland boss, who spent seven seasons as a player with Real Zaragoza from 1990-97 and returned to Spain in May when he signed a two-year contract with Betis, has the trust of his players.

Betis goalkeeper Antonio Adan told Cadena Ser: "The 25 players fully trust the coach that we have.

"I think the team gives its all but at home we seem to get nervous when things don't go our way."

Adan, who has started in 10 La Liga games, including Sunday's defeat and has kept two clean sheets, does not believe a coaching change would help the team.

"In the past years, we have seen that a change of coach has not worked," Adan said. "The situation is not so dramatic and we are confident that we will pull out of it."

Betis was the first team to be relegated during the 2013-14 campaign after a dismal season.

They sacked coach Pepe Mel in December following a poor run of results, including a 4-0 derby defeat to Sevilla.

His successor, Juan Carlos Garrido, fared no better and lasted only until mid-January when he was fired and was replaced by Gabriel Calderon.

They finished at the bottom of the standings with six wins and 25 defeats in 38 games.

Poyet said he is not surprised by the fans' reaction.

"When a team doesn't win and a team plays at home, it's obvious that people are not going to be happy," he told Marca. "This is nothing new. The same thing happened to Mel and to previous coaches. We can't do anything accept train harder and win."

Mel, who steered Betis to the Segunda Division crown in 2011, allowing them to return to La Liga following a two-year absence, is urging the Betis fans to give Poyet time.

"People are eager to enjoy themselves with their tea and sometimes they get impatient," the former West Bromwich Albion tactician told Cadena Ser.

"I would tell Poyet to keep on trying, to reinforce his ideas and to look ahead."

Mel, who was dismissed for a second time in his career by Betis back in January after a spell of eight games without a win, is convinced Poyet is the right man for the Betis job.

"I'm certain that this year, Betis are not going to call me," he said. "I'm convinced that Poyet will reach the finish line."

Betis are away to Villarreal on Sunday before hosting Las Palmas on Nov. 18.