Dundee United midfielder Sam Stanton admits the onus is on the players to get the fans on their side when they host Dunfermline this afternoon.
United’s supporters have had their patience stretched to the limit by some dreadful displays and results from their team this season.
It has been apathy that has reigned more than anger in the stands but Stanton knows the club can’t afford any more results like the 3-2 loss to Queen of the South on Tuesday night.
He said: “It has been a very difficult spell and it was hard to take the other night.
“We lost some silly goals and we have definitely not been helping ourselves but we need to stick together and try and get results.
“We need to be ready to bounce back and there are no excuses.
“There is nobody to blame but ourselves.
“We are the only ones who can get ourselves out of the situation we have put ourselves in.
“It is about mental toughness now and we need to cut out the slack mistakes because they have been killing us.
“If we are not winning games then the fans are entitled to be angry,” added the former Hibs and Dumbarton man.
“We players have all been supporters ourselves so we know how it feels when your team is not winning games.
“It is only us that can change results and we have the players to do it.
“If you’re not playing well you expect it (criticism) and you need to deal with it.
“The view in the changing room is we need to give the fans something to shout about and cheer about.
“We are altogether but we are the ones out on the pitch and we are the ones who can change the results. It’s down to us.”
Some of the stick from the fans has, of course, been directed at manager Csaba Laszlo.
Like Stanton, he believes the only way to fix it is to win matches.
“If you play at home and you lose you get criticism and it is legitimate,” said Laszlo.
“However, I also have to defend the players because they tried and we did come back from 2-0 down to make it 2-2 before losing an easy goal which killed us.
“We have to go now and win games.
“The next game against Dunfermline will not be easy but if we want to go higher then we need the three points.
“You are under pressure all the time.
“Look, this is not just about me.
“This is about the club and the team.
“OK, we had some individual mistakes against Queen of the South but I trust my players and they have to trust their own quality.
“I am still looking to have a team on the field that can win the game.
“I told the boys that it is not about individuals it is about the club.
“If we want to go into the play-offs we have to win games.”
As for team news, Laszlo is expected to start new signing Bilel Mohsni in central defence, while fellow fresh face Anthony Ralston is likely to keep his place at right-back after making his debut against Queens.
Laszlo said: “I was disappointed for him that he came into a game that we lost.
“He tried to do his best.
“He is a young player who has experience of the Champions League but this is Championship not Champions League.
“He brought new energy to our team and I was not unhappy with his performance.”
