John Egan says Sheffield United players 'care a lot' about the club's current form and they remain determined to turn the corner after a dreadful start to the season.
The Blades are rock bottom of the Premier League and without a win from their opening 17 league matches.
They are just two games shy of the halfway mark and already find themselves 12 points from safety.
Newcastle visit Bramall Lane tonight and Egan says the players have no one else to blame for their current league position and have to put it right 'on the grass'.
"The next game is the most important, no matter who you're playing Tuesday," he said.
"It is up to us to try and earn the three points.
"We are 17 games in now. We can't blame anyone but ourselves.
"It's been a tough season, there's no getting away from that, but we are not halfway through yet.
"We have had some tight games against the top teams and we know it's all about the fine margins and being ruthless in both boxes. The players, management, the staff, we are all pulling in the same direction.
"Football is full of ups and downs and you have to deal with it.
"It's been a fantastic two and half years for me with promotion, ninth in the Premier League.
"This season has not been great but you can do one of two things - give up and throw the towel in or keep fighting and we want to keep fighting.
"We are looking to the next game all the time, no matter what spell you are going through. That has to be the attitude.
"We have to go on the grass tomorrow and get the three points. We approach it with belief. We always believe in ourselves but it's decided out there on the pitch in 90 minutes."
United secured their first win of the season at Bristol Rovers on Saturday in the FA Cup.
And Egan says after what has been a difficult campaign, that success meant a lot to the players.
The key now, though, is taking that in tomorrow night's fixture.
"Everyone knows the situation we are in in the league," he added.
"It hasn't been easy. It was always going to be a tough game at Bristol, but we were delighted to come home with the win.
"It means a lot to get that win. The lads here care a lot, we went a long time without a win and any type of win is what we wanted.
"We got the win in the end and now we have to build on that."
