Ross Oliver insists Linfield won't shy away from the flak and barbed criticism aimed at the club this season.
The Windsor Park club lost out on a fifth consecutive title this season as Larne ended their dominance of the Gibson Cup
Despite the recent trophy haul there are some critics who have questioned David Healy and his players, including some within the club's own fanbase.
Read more: Linfield 'know what to expect at Solitude' as they look to avoid play-off ordeal
But for Healy's assistant Oliver, the intense scrutiny comes part and parcel with life at Linfield.
"One thing about the gaffer and us at Linfield, people probably know now that we love being written off. We thrive on that," he said.
"We know we will be getting a bit of stick and some flak, but keep it coming because it just drives us on and makes us stronger.
"Hopefully this time next year we are having a different conversation."
He added: "The criticism comes part and parcel with Linfield Football Club. You probably would have found that if we had won the league this season there would have been people who would have criticised our performances or style of play.
"When you're at a big club, and a club based on success, success, success, the flak is part and parcel of it. Rangers and Celtic have it, Manchester United, Man City, they all have it.
"You just have to accept it and get on with it."
Linfield travel to Cliftonville on Saturday looking for a point which will guarantee them second spot and European football.
Any slip-up would open the door for derby rivals Glentoran to potentially pip them to the runners-up spot, and consign the Blues to the Euro play-offs.
They did lift the League Cup this season, but the Gibson Cup is the only trophy that counts at Windsor.
"We won the league four years in a row which was incredible. There has to come a point at some stage where you don't win one," Oliver said.
"And as difficult as that is, it hurts and it will for a while. But we have had this experience before where we have lost a league and bounced back.
"Crusaders pipped us to the post a few seasons back and we had to reset and go again. And that's what we have to do again."
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