Clarets fans today defended their reaction to the Ronnie Jepson substitution by claiming the boos were directed at the decision -- and not the player.

Manager Stan Ternent blasted the boo-boys, believing a minority had turned on Jepson after the striker's introduction was greeted with jeers from the Turf Moor supporters.

But the Clarets Independent Supporters Association spokesman Angus Williamson said: "It wasn't a personal attack on Ronnie Jepson, if anything it was an attack on Stan Ternent's tactics.

"Jepson doesn't bring himself on, he doesn't make the decision. It was the substitution that was upsetting the crowd, not the individual.

"At 37-years-old and not match fit, people are obviously upset."

But the association were quick to play down Ternent's outburst that some of the fans are 'morons'.

"Stan has done a good job at Turf Moor and I think he said it in the heat of the moment. It was ill-chosen words.

"There are a lot of comments made by managers after the game which, had they had time to reflect, they might have used different words."