JIM Duffy is looking for a ‘common sense’ approach from his team’s supporters as his side look to get back to winning ways in tomorrow’s crunch clash against Dunfermline.

Morton have lost their last three games and were booed off by sections of their own support at Somerset Park last weekend after enduring the same reaction the week before against Queen’s Park in the Irn-Bru Cup.

The Ton boss says it’s crucial the fans now get behind his team in their hour of need.

Duffy told the Tele: “We’re not shying away from the fact that we’re not firing on all cylinders.

“What we do need is to stick together and work hard together and we need encouragement from the supporters. 

“It’s easy for everybody to jump on the players’ backs and criticise, it’s not as easy to get behind them.

“We all get frustrated with errors and mistakes but it’s a lot more helpful for the players that if they do make a mistake there’s not quite the volume of criticism that comes their way.

“People are quick to criticise in football these days and slow to praise. But that’s not symptomatic just to Morton, that’s just how it is these days.

“Everyone’s just a bit quick on the trigger and that can be difficult for players. But the players have to respond, show a bit of character and a strong mentality.

“It’s once they start shying away from responsibility, that’s when maybe the criticism is deserved.

“It’s not a manager’s plea, it’s just a common sense aspect.

“If you understand the players are trying their best and working hard, any encouragement will help them achieve that.

“Criticism is part and parcel of football, we know that, but if it’s overly negative then that just adds to the issues.

“We’re not shying away from our responsibility, we need to do better and we understand that.

“We want to fight hard to get back on track again.

“But it’s a football club, not just a football team.

“Amongst that football club there’s a lot of aspects — myself, staff, the players, directors and the fans.

“That’s a whole package, and if everyone works hard and pulls in the same direction, there’s every chance you can get there quicker.”

Duffy is pleased that his men enjoy a return to home comforts tomorrow after three away fixtures on the spin and hopes they will respond by digging out a positive result. 

He said: “We’ve had three tough away games on the bounce where we haven’t played great and have to try and get back to the levels that we know we’re capable of.

“Football is about rolling your sleeves up and digging in.

“When it’s going your way you get a freedom in your play which allows you to go and express yourself but when it’s not going your way, the simple things seem a little more difficult.

“The legs seem a bit heavier and that’s just football for everyone at every level.

“We’ve got a wee spell just now where there’s a few boys searching for form and we’ve got to keep encouraging them to try and work their way through it.”

Ton will have a new face in the ranks tomorrow after ex-Dundee United defender Gavin Gunning yesterday put pen to paper on a deal until January.

Duffy said: “I’m delighted that Gavin has signed because he’s a really good player.

“With the injuries we’ve got at the moment he could be invaluable for us.

“He’s certainly going to be in the squad.”