Sam Stanton has admitted the Dundee United players have let manager Csaba Laszlo down as their form has nosedived.
The former Hibs midfielder sees the only way the team can even partly make up for it is to go ouit and beat Queen of the South at Tannadice tonight.
Stanton, who laid on the equaliser for Matty Smith against Livingston on Friday only for United to surrender a goal in injury-time, said: “We just have to go out there and do it now – it’s as simple as that.
“We can talk all we like but we need to go out and win these games.
“That’s the message from the dressing room and it is the only way we can get ourselves out of this position.
“We are all still very much behind the manager.
“He did really well when he first came in but we have let him and ourselves down with results of late.
“It all just comes down to winning games now but we are all still confident we can do that.”
Stanton revealed the slump that has seen the one-time Championship title favourites fall as far as fourth spot in the table has taken him aback.
He said: “It has been a massive shock.
“I don’t think anyone, especially ourselves, expected such a poor run, especially after such a good run.
“It’s obviously been very surprising and very disappointing.
“Of course, we can’t hide behind injuries. We’ve got players who are good enough to fill in for the likes to Fraser Fyvie and Scott Fraser.
“We would certainly never use that as an excuse.
“We were basically battling with St Mirren for the top spot not that long ago and now we find ourselves 17 points behind.”
Stanton was asked if it hurt the players that some fans have lost faith in them and even doubt their ability to finish in a play-off position.
He said: “It does hurt.
“We have all been supporters ourselves and when you are losing games it hurts.
“We accept that because it has obviously not been good enough and now we are trying to make things right.
“I still firmly believe we will make the top four. There are still 13 games to go and we are not giving up on anything yet.”
