The Clarets, who sealed promotion to the Barclays Premier League in May, have won all four of their league fixtures at Turf Moor this season.

This is in stark contrast to their away form as the 3-2 defeat to Blackburn Rovers in the Lancashire derby last Sunday made it five defeats out of five.

Such contrasting fortunes have resulted in a current 10th place standing in the Barclays Premier League and Mears believes the critics are focusing too much on the negatives.

"They are looking right now at the away form and they will try anything to put the club down," said Mears.

"I think it's important that the fans and everyone associated with the club, the team, we all stick together.

"It is due to the manager and the staff the way that we play, the way we pass the ball, the way we move and attack. I think we should be given credit for that.

"A lot of teams that come up and want to stay in this league try to play direct, but we feel it is better suited to our team to try to pass the ball and we have the players that can do that."

Burnley face Wigan Athletic at Turf Moor on Saturday looking to maintain their 100 per cent home record.

Mears spent last season on loan at Marseille from Derby County, with the French club opting not to make his move permanent. Burnley then signed him from Championship club Derby.