Kevin Blackwell has joined chairman Kevin McCabe in pleading for an even break from irate supporters ahead of Saturday's highly-charged visit of Cardiff City.
The Blades boss - who has had to abort recruitment plans - knows that the simmering unrest among Bramall Lane fans could create a backlash against himself and his players if Sheffield United slip to another defeat.
But, amid the grip of an injury crisis that has virtually halved an already thin squad, Blackwell has entered a plea for "patience and understanding" in the hope that he will be back to something near full strength after the international break.
Blackwell, who faces "three massive games" before then with Newcastle and Barnsley to follow, told the Telegraph:
"I'm having to ask young players to play the part of experienced ones and they mustn't play with fear. That could happen.
"I hope for patience and understanding from the fans. It's the first time we've had a poor run in nearly two years since I came here.
"That proves I can manage. You don't become a bad manager overnight. We've had so many new players all at one time and they are all learning. They are having to do it under pressure.
"We need more experience and the absence of so many has been a big loss. Hopefully I'll have those players back after the international break and then it will be a decent squad.
"Until then, the players coming in have got to grab their opportunity. The one thing about the players here is that they've always stood up for a challenge."
Blackwell, who showed his own maturity as a manager by shielding his makeshift team from blame after the 3-0 defeat at Blackpool, has had to ditch moves for more emergency loans in the shape of Stoke's Michael Tonge and Birmingham's Gary McSheffrey.
"Financially, I don't think we're in a position to do anything at the moment," he said.
"Unfortunately, every time I bring a player in he seems to pick up an injury. Richard Cresswell had to play with cracked ribs on Tuesday and Lee Williamson returned from back surgery even though we're still trying to get him fit."
To compound matters, United were rocked by the failure of Paddy Kenny's appeal against a nine month drugs ban, which has left the Blades board facing a crunch decision over the goalkeeper's future and underlined the need to extend Mark Bunn's loan from Blackburn.
Blackwell hopes Kenny, whose contract is up in the summer, can stay on at Bramall Lane. But he said:
"It's a decision for the club and I don't have much say. I don't know where Paddy's future will lie. But I hope it's not the end of his time here. For me, he's still one of the best keepers outside the Premier League. It's all desperately sad for Paddy. The ruling seems very harsh."
Sheffield Telegraph
Have Sheffield United tripped themselves up over the finely balanced sums that were designed to marry prudence with progress?
Or have they lost their balance simply because of a mere blip induced by a sudden injury crisis?
The truth is never black and white in these circumstances. Somewhere in between, the Blades have lost their way. The important thing is that the club doesn't lose the sense of unity between chairman, manager, players and fans that is required more than ever in tough times.
A reliance on too many loans and a lack of permanence about a massively restructured, overstretched squad are factors which suggested the Blades were walking a tightrope even before the away defeats to Scunthorpe and Blackpool that have whipped up a furious reaction.
Saturday's home game against in-form Cardiff now looms as an early watershed in what was always likely to be a precarious season.
But this is just one game of a long haul to the January window and the nearest port in the storm if Kevin Blackwell's depleted resources have to be plugged by full-scale signings.
For that reason among many, fans should think twice about pressing the self-destruct button this weekend. The mood is ugly with Bramall Lane a ticking timebomb of frustration.
That is understandable considering United have failed to win any of five games, losing three, since their anti-climactic victory scrape in the Sheffield derby.
Even the given of being a hard side to beat seems to have gone for now, but this, too, is easy to explain. Blackwell has a good first eleven and little cover, simple as that.
Bramall Lane atmospheres are brittle at best, which is part of the problem at a club with high expectations.
A cry for patience is a whisper in the wind in times like these. But consider this: chairman Kevin McCabe is not for turning in his support of Blackwell.
Equally, the manager will defend McCabe's overriding concern for the financial welfare and stability of the club, even though it has diminished his chances of leading another promotion assault.
It should be remembered, too, that Blackwell's record is good. Across 20 months, this is his first run of poor results. He dragged United from the lower reaches of the Championship to the brink of the Premier League and was then forced to dismantle his side.
For some reason, he is not popular with the masses. Although his style of play has been too pragmatic at times, it's hard to fathom why so many of his detractors fail to do their sums in judging him.
Sheffield Telgraph
