Fans and local media have criticised Aguirre for his conservative tactics after Atletico only managed two wins from their last nine matches in all competitions.

Their last outing, a 0-0 draw at home to third-tier Orihuela, put them through to the last 16 of the Copa del Rey 1-0 on aggregate, but was their second goalless draw in a week against lowly opposition, and saw the players whistled off the pitch at the end.

Last Sunday they were unable to beat the Primera Liga's bottom club Osasuna, a side without a league win this season, and needed a penalty save from Gregory Coupet to prevent an embarrassing defeat.

Aguirre has argued that conceding only one goal in their last five matches is a positive statistic, but more is expected from a side with the likes of Sergio Aguero, Diego Forlan and Simao Sabrosa up front.

Cerezo has, though, been quick to back his man in the dugout.

"I have never had any doubts in Aguirre. He has had his good games and his bad games, but I hope we can get back to where we were at the start of the season," he said.

"The alarm bells ring when you have a bad run. The alarm bells are ringing here not because the coach's job is under threat but because of the team's poor performances.

"The team haven't played well. They have created lots of chances but haven't put them away, unfortunately. I can understand why the fans get frustrated. But if we get a couple of wins in a row, they'll get back behind Aguirre again."

A failure to collect all three points against Depor will see Atletico slip even further off the top four.

They currently lie seventh with 14 points from 10 games, one behind Depor and nine short of champions Real Madrid in fourth.

Aguero and Forlan are likely to be partnered up front again and only full-back Antonio Lopez is missing from the side after suffering from dizzy spells recently.

Depor also made it through to the next round of the cup in midweek, beating Elche 2-0 to progress 4-0 on aggregate.

Miguel Angel Lotina's outfit have won four on the trot in all competitions to climb in to the UEFA Cup places, and are a rapidly improving side.

Former Atletico playmaker Juan Carlos Valeron believed his side should make the most of the pressure the home side may be feeling.

"Looking at the table they seem to be doing well, but there is always a focus on their last game there and that puts the pressure on them," he said.

"They need a victory to get rid of the doubts."