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Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has called for patience from discontented fans following his side's slow start to the season at the Nou Camp.
The Catalans, who have yet to record victory in their own stadium, were jeered by sections of their fans following their 1-0 defeat by Primera Liga leaders Valencia on Sunday.
Rijkaard said that he could not fault his players' efforts and that all the team needed was a little more fortune in front of goal.
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"We didn't play badly," said the Dutchman. "The players gave
everything and they showed the right attitude throughout the game. We had plenty
of chances to score, it was just a shame about the result." Ticketmaster
Lead striker Patrick Kluivert and Argentine forward Javier Saviola have yet to score in the league this season and, although new signing Ronaldinho has weighed in with a couple of classy goals, the team looks short of firepower.
Kluivert had another off day against Valencia, managing just one shot on target in the 90 minutes and the Dutch international will have to undergo a rapid change in form if he is to reach the tally of 25 goals he set for himself at the start of the season.
Club captain Luis Enrique said he understood the supporters' frustration at the team's lack of success in front of goal. Ticketmaster
"The fans come to the ground in massive numbers in order to celebrate goals and victories and, at the moment, they aren't seeing them. It's completely understandable that they are going home unhappy," he said.
"We attacked more than them (Valencia) and created more chances but we lacked the finishing touch. I would be more worried though if we hadn't created any chances at all." Ticketmaster
The weekend's results left Barcelona in ninth place after six games, seven points adrift of leaders Valencia.
They host second-placed
Deportivo Coruna in their next league match in two week's time.