Cheltenham Town boss Martin Allen says he does not blame the club's supporters for jeering and chanting for his dismissal during and after Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Northampton Town.

The Whaddon Road crowd began to voice their discontent as the Robins slumped to a seventh consecutive reverse, the worst run in the club's Football League history

Fans were incensed by the substitution of midfielder Ian Westlake in the second half and Allen also spent half an hour addressing angry protestors in the car park after the game.

"It was a very flat performance and I don't blame the supporters for having a go at me; fair play to them," Allen said. "If I worked hard and paid my money to watch a team that didn't win, I'd have a go at the manager too.

"I'd rather them have a go at me than the players because I can take it."

Allen said that having to deal with abuse from the sidelines during his playing days has made him thick-skinned.

"I have been before 27,000 people who booed me before kick-off," he said. "That is a serious test of your character and self belief, but it happened to me on numerous occasions. It makes you want to vomit at times, but it makes you a stronger and better character."

Allen attributed his side's poor display against Northampton to a difficult week for the club.

"It was a testing week off the field and the squad were flat," he said. "I think they tried, but they looked laboured and heavy and it has not been an easy few days at the training ground, with various situations behind the scenes that I don't want to talk about. Mentally, they have been affected."

Drissa Diallo, David Bird and Chris Westwood all picked up injuries during the defeat and are doubts for the trip to Swindon.

Allen said it is unlikely that defender Westwood's loan spell from Peterborough will be extended to a third month after it expires tomorrow, due to financial constraints.