Mark Hughes, the Blackburn Rovers manager, says players are feeling a backlash of resentment from fans who are disillusioned with the amount of money in football.

Sol Campbell this week claimed the abuse from crowds is so bad that the FA should intervene, while Harry Redknapp has also complained about the number of derogatory comments directed at players and officials.

Hughes has not noticed an increase in abuse from the terraces but suspects any increased antipathy is down to salaries that makes players more detached from the man on the street.

"I haven't noticed it being worse than ever," he said. "Should we accept it? I don't know but I think we do, because it has always been there.

"I think maybe there is a little bit of disdain for footballers, more dislike from possibly the perception that they earn vast amounts of money. Maybe that is the driving cause behind the feeling that it is getting more personal and directed at individuals."

Hughes sees little chance of it being stamped it out altogether. "It is impossible to police. It is very difficult for stewards or police or anyone to get involved because of the vast numbers involved," he said.

Hughes has other issues on his mind, with his side facing Chelsea at home on Sunday, having been knocked out of the Carling Cup by Arsenal on Tuesday and having won only once in in their past eight games.

"It could be very easy for us to feel sorry for ourselves - but we're not doing that," he said. "It's a frustration rather than a worry. We feel we're a much better team than we're showing at the moment.

"That isn't criticism just of the back four; it is a collective thing - everybody has to take responsibility for the defensive play that we are displaying at the moment. We've shown in the early part of the season that we can defend correctly in all areas - so we'll keep working hard.

"At the moment it is a little raw and a little bit painful for everybody, but we'll turn it round. We are still very much in the top half of the Premier League and we'll just have to have a run in the FA Cup now."