Under-fire Atletico Madrid coach Javier Aguirre admits the supporters who have been calling for his head have every right to be upset with the way things are going.

Atletico ended 2008 on a 15-match unbeaten run but since returning to action following the winter break have suffered successive defeats to Valencia, Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao.

All three of those losses saw the Rojiblancos outclassed, and during the latter two - both at home - sections of the Vicente Calderon crowd turned against Aguirre and demanded his head.

Aguirre, who has been in charge of Atletico since 2006, admits it pains him to hear the chants against him, but concedes the supporters are not without justification for being disgruntled.

"Any defeat hurts. It hurts that the team didn't leave a good image, that the fans turned against me and the players, but the truth is they are justified to do so," said Aguirre following last night's 3-2 loss to Athletic.

"We have found it hard to react and play the way we can. We're the same team from December, the one that's in the Champions League, but the three successive losses have created a climate of doubt and irritation which, in the end, becomes contagious.

"Nevertheless, I've asked the players to remain calm. We have to analyse what we're doing badly, take what we can from the last few matches and get back into the routine of winning points and games as soon as possible."

Last night's defeat left Atletico four points adrift of the Champions League places in La Liga and a massive 17 behind leaders Barcelona.

The capital club are also seemingly on the verge of being eliminated from the Copa del Rey as they travel to the Nou Camp this week to take on all-conquering Barca having lost the home leg of their last-16 tie 3-1.

Aguirre admits they need to regroup - and quickly.

"We're in a critical moment, but we cannot give up. We've taken two awful steps backwards, but not everything is lost yet. Now we have to look for solutions and move forward."