TONY Parkes believes Rovers’ playing squad have to shoulder most of the blame for their Premier League peril – insisting under-fire boss Paul Ince deserves more time.

The Blackpool assistant manager was caretaker boss at Ewood Park six times in his 34 years at the club, and admits their current spot in the relegation zone does hand the board a tough decision.

Parkes though insists Ince can not be judged on just 17 games in the top flight and believes he needs to backed ahead of the forthcoming January transfer window.

Ince’s short tenure has seen Rovers slump to second from bottom in the Premier League, after an 11-match unbeaten run, with his managerial Premier League debut looking increasingly unsure.

Parkes said: “The board have a big decision to make because it’s all about money in the Premier League.

“If they are going to sack Paul, how long will it be before they do it? These are tough times for Blackburn.

“They were a good batch of players when Paul joined the club but Mark Hughes was always going to be a tough act to follow.

“There are good times and bad times to go to a club and I’m afraid Paul’s picked a bad time because he’s always going to be judged by what Mark did.

“But you can’t judge a manager on 17 games.

“I would think the players are not doing it for him and they must take a lot of the blame.

“I’m sure Paul would like to get one or two out in the transfer window, generate some money and bring some new players in.

“That’s the way it should go.”