ANDY KING is clearly hurt by the frosty reception he has received from supporters but the Town boss is adamant that he will not be driven out before he has 'even started'.

Far from being greeted as a returning hero at the Boxing Day clash with Bournemouth, King had to listen to chants of 'Razor Ruddock's barmy army' and cries for him to 'get back on the dole'.

Although he had accepted that his appointment would not be greeted favourably in all quarters, he nevertheless seemed shocked by the reaction of some sections of the crowd.

However, King said the attitude and performance of his players during a fiery 0-0 draw with Bournemouth spoke volumes about their feelings of his return.

He said: "I think the effort the lads put in is proof of what they think.

"That's the biggest compliment I could have.

"No matter how much they (the fans) chant, I'll be the one making the changes and picking the team. That I can assure them of whether they like it or not.

"I've never backed out of a challenge before and I'm not backing out of this one."

King said he had broad enough shoulders to accept criticism but felt hostility did nothing to help the players.

He said: "But I do feel disappointed and hurt.

"I don't really think I deserved the reception I got. I'm not sure where this reaction is coming from.

"I'm baffled. I'm not an idiot and I'm not a useless manager."

But King accepts the manager of a football club takes both the glory and the anger.

He said: "But I just don't want to see Swindon Town hurt by all this."

As for the level of support shown for Razor Ruddock, King said he could understand some fans had wanted Razor to be Roy Evans' replacement but experience was a valuable commodity in football.

He said: "But is Neil Ruddock ready to be a manager? I think you need to build up experience, and that's what I have had as a manager.

"But the board made their choice."

On the playing side, King is hoping to bring in a fresh face (from an unnamed First Division club) before Saturday's important home game with Bury.

He said: "It has been difficult to try and freshen things up due to the festive period but I'm hoping that I can get someone in before Saturday."

King has already been busy on the phone, including a call to Sunderland boss Peter Reid, sparking speculation that striker Michael Reddy could be set for a County Ground return."

The winner of the Evening Advertiser 50-50 draw was P Healey of Swindon with ticket number 291.