Sunderland head coach Gus Poyet has accused the club's supporters of "living in the past".
A number of disgruntled fans have booed the team at the end of recent games, but Poyet is determined to stick to his patient style of play.
The Black Cats have drawn 12 games in all competitions so far this season, the latest being a stalemate against Fulham in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
"It worries me a lot," the Daily Star quotes Poyet as saying. "I understand them booing at the end and at half time, but during the game, when a teammate passes the ball, I don't.
"My message is I can't bring Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips back. I think they are still living in the past. Teams who play kick and rush is something I wouldn't like to watch week in, week out."
Sunderland are currently just one point above the relegation zone in the Premier League table.
