Boss Chris Hughton says he is not thinking about his position coming under threat at Nottingham Forest, after a fourth straight league defeat.
The Reds are rock bottom of the Championship table after a miserable start to the campaign, yet to register a point in four attempts.
A 1-0 reverse away to Stoke City added to the pressure on Hughton, and - just as against Blackburn Rovers in midweek - sections of the Forest crowd clearly voiced their opinions, amid a bleak atmosphere.
Hughton’s predecessor, Sabri Lamouchi, was axed after four successive league losses at the beginning of last term - a run of five in all competitions.
But the former Brighton chief insists that is not on his mind.
"It's not something I think about,” he said.
"What I think about is, we are going through a transitional period at the club. We've had a pre-season where we've had most of the Under-23s training with the squad; we've had injuries.
“We are going through a difficult period. It’s a transitional period.
“With this group, however we recruit, it will be a younger, development side.
“Around those changes, what I have to try to do is get results. At the minute, this is the only thing I’m thinking about.
“I understand the disappointment of the crowd. I’m as disappointed and as angry as any of them. This is my responsibility.
“My responsibility is to get results for this club and these supporters.
“With the help of recruitment, we’ll do the best we can.”
Hughton once again came in for fierce criticism from the travelling fans, with some chanting, ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’, as well as ‘we’re going down’.
“You take it because you have to,” said the manager.
“Would I prefer not to? Yes. But these are the emotions of the game. These are the ups and downs of the game.
“We brought a wonderful support who were very vocal and got behind the team. When things don’t go our way, then unfortunately as manager I have to take the brunt of that.
“All we can do is work as hard as we can to get the numbers we need in.
“It’s been a really tough summer as regards bringing in players.
“There’s been a big turnaround.
“We are a lot younger, as regards the squad we’ve got. We lost a lot of players at the end of last season.
“We need to bring in numbers.
“This is an unforgiving division. It’s not just about the XI on the pitch, it’s about having a squad which can cope with the rigours of this division - and at the moment we don’t have that.”
Forest have little more than a week in which to complete their transfer business. They have made three additions so far, but urgently need more, with Hughton’s options further limited by injuries, illness and suspension.
Asked if he remains confident of turning the results around, he said: “Always you work as hard as you can.
“Every club will go through difficult periods.
“We are not making excuses, we have lost the first four games of the season. In all four games, we have lost by one goal - with those margins, if we were better, it could have gone the other way.
“I’m not saying we’ve been good enough to win those games, but we’ve been decent enough to not lose them. Those are the margins that have to change.
“What will help, will be new players coming in to strengthen the squad.
“We certainly need that.”
