Mick McCarthy and captain Roger Johnson today issued a passionate rallying call to the Molineux masses, insisting: “We need you”.

Five successive defeats has left McCarthy’s side in the club’s worst losing run since January 1985, sparking widespread criticism.

Boss McCarthy understands the flak but took the unusual step of asking fans for their help in turning the tide when Swansea come to Molineux tomorrow.

“To enable a team to play well, you need your home support behind you and not against you,” said the boss.

“And the home support has been with us, as they have been away.

“The support has been great – I have no problem with them voicing their displeasure when the team has lost five games.

“I’d probably be doing the same myself.

“But we’ve got Swansea coming here and it will be a difficult game.

“And when the fans turn up, they’ve got to support the team because then that helps us to win.”

Johnson acknowledged the part fans have to play, adding: “The fans are massive for us – especially at home – we need to be picking up points here because that will be the key come the end of the season.

“I hope the fans are right behind us because any team needs them to be on their side.

“God forbid we go a goal down and it ‘turns’ because we’ll still have a chance to get back into the game.

“We need the fans because we’re going through a rough patch and we all need to be pushing in the right direction.

“We understand the fans’ frustrations. They pay to come and are entitled to their opinions but we don’t go out purposefully to lose.

“We’re all passionate about putting on good performances.”

Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers believes Molineux’s passion can sometimes turn to frustration.

“From my experience, I’d say maybe there’s a little more patience in one or two other grounds.

But that comes with the territory of being a big club,” said Rodgers.