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He said: "I know there are things worse in the world than losing to Sheffield Wednesday but this week hasn't seemed like that. It has been, without question, the hardest week I've had since I came back.
"So much good has been undone by one game. I apologise to the fans, it is not something we set out to do and it hurts greatly. This is the first time I've done anything with the press because it has taken this long to come to terms with it.
"The fans are desperate for success and so are the players. Sheffield United is a force to be reckoned with throughout football and it is recognised that when Bramall Lane is rocking it is one of the hardest places to go to - and that's what I want it to be like again.
"The lads are desperate to do well for the home fans but the anxiety is leading to frustrating football, knocking the ball too quickly, too long and not wanting to take risks.
"They don't want to be the ones that the crowd jump on and criticise but I've asked them to be brave. We've got to keep our heads and keep going forward.
"When I arrived on this weekend last year the club were fourth or fifth from the bottom, I accept that life is up and down but if you look at it in context, we are in the play-off positions, still in the cup and moving forward.
"Compare that to the likes of Watford and Charlton, who were relegated from the Premiership at the same time as us. They have sold their best players and are struggling to stay out of the third tier."