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Graham Coughlan has hit out at social media users who abused his daughter after Bristol Rovers lost to Coventry City last weekend.

The Gas' slow start to the season continued with defeat to the Sky Blues, but they have since won back-to-back games, including today's 3-1 victory over Oxford United.

Speaking after today's victory, Rovers boss Coughlan revealed his players had to pick up his morale after the loss to Coventry when he discovered fans had abused his daughter on social media.

He said: "I was down last Saturday evening, I was really, really down.

"My daughter took a bit of abuse on social media as well which I totally disagree with, it's really unnecessary and uncalled for.

"If people want to throw abuse at me, throw it at me, not a problem, I'm big enough, but do not come anywhere near my family and give them abuse.

"I'm really, really annoyed with that.

"The lads got around me last weekend, with phone calls and picking me up, and they went out this week and proved what a great group they are.

"Now I just hope they can go on and keep pushing and keep churning out results."

In a week where social media abuse of footballers such as Paul Pogba has been in the news, Coughlan, who has often spoken with pride about his family, said he has no issue with fans criticising him, but that they should go to him directly.

He said: "I've been across in England 25 or 26 years and I ain't having it.

"If people want to give me abuse, that's not a problem - come at me, I'm big and strong and I can take it.

"If the truth be known, I maybe deserved a bit of abuse as we haven't won five out of five, so if you're going to give me abuse, give it to me.

"But don't come anywhere near my family, that really hurts me.

"At the end of the day, if people want to take it out on my family, it shows the type of people they are.

"It's really poor and it really hurts me."