Charlie Oatway has told Albion fans to keep getting on his back.

Oatway has been one of the main targets for criticism during the Seagulls' early season struggle, but the defiant midfielder says he is man enough to take it.

"If I'm big enough to go out there and get the pats on the back for the last two seasons then I have got to be big enough to go out there and have people swearing at me and things like that," Oatway declared.

"They have got to realise where we have come from as a club, but as far as I am concerned when they are having a dig at me the more the merrier. Let them do it."

Albion are without seven players as they try to end a losing streak in the League spanning the same number at high-riding Rotherham tomorrow.

Bobby Zamora, Michel Kuipers, Paul Kitson, Paul Brooker and Geoff Pitcher are injured, Graham Barrett is banned and Robbie Pethick is both hurt and suspended.

"It's hard to keep putting the young boys in, but we haven't got any strength in depth at the moment." said Oatway. "It's no disrespect to them, but once those boys come back I can see a totally different season.

"It is tough. We are playing against quality players week in week out. There are no so-called easy games. We should have more points. Portsmouth were a quality side, but we haven't been pummelled by anyone.

"We have still created chances and we would like to think Bobby and Kits and Graham would finish them."

"Zamora, missing since August 17 with a knee ligament strain, and Kuipers (back) joined in training yesterday, which was encouraging for manager Martin Hinshelwood.

"Bobby wasn't going to do as much as he did so we are very pleased about that," he said. "I can't criticise the players that have gone in there because they have given me 100 per cent. It's good experience for the young players, but I believe when I have got my best side out results will pick up and it will give everybody a big lift."

Captain Danny Cullip was rested from training yesterday after a precautionary scan on a groin problem, but he will be fit as Albion bid to repeat their long distance victory at Burnley on the opening day.

The Seagulls could soon be offering terms to Sussex-based former Spurs midfielder John Piercy. He has been playing for the reserves and scored both goals in Wednesday's 2-0 win at Bournemouth.

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