Chris Wilder says Sheffield United are "getting bashed about" a bit at the moment as the club tries to steady itself before Saturday's Championship meeting with 12th-placed Lincoln.
Before the 15:00 BST kick-off, the Sheffield United boss gave a blunt assessment of a difficult period that has left his team 18th after eight matches. The club are also dealing with off-field uncertainty because of an EFL investigation, adding another layer of pressure at a time when results have not gone their way.
Wilder, who is in his third spell as Sheffield United boss, said he does not enjoy the current spell because "there's not a lot of good news going on". But he added that the club are "resetting" and insisted the answer has to come from the pitch.
"The club are getting bashed about a bit at the moment, the owners are, [chief executive] Steve Bettis is a little bit, and myself and the players are," Wilder said. "We have to come fighting back."
That fightback will be needed quickly. Sheffield United have lost three of their past four matches and were also knocked out of the EFL Cup by League Two Fleetwood Town, which has done little to calm the mood around the club.
A slow start, but Wilder says there is time
Wilder pointed to the wider context of the season, saying Sheffield United are still under a fifth of the way through the campaign and that the group is still adjusting after 24 changes, £20m brought in and £10m off the wage bill. Summer departures included Callum O'Hare, Gus Hamer and Andre Brooks, while new players continue to be integrated.
"This is a disappointing start but we are under a fifth of the way through the season, we've had 24 changes and £20m brought in and £10m off the wage bill and new players integrated," he said.
For Wilder, the task is simple even if the circumstances are not. Players are still trying to find form, and he is still trying to find a solution. His message ahead of Lincoln is that Sheffield United need performances first and points soon after.
"The best way of doing that is putting in performances and winning games of football, which I am determined, as ever, to do so," he said. "It's been a slow start. I don't want it to be a slow middle bit and a slow ending, and I am absolutely certain it wont be."
