Dundee United caretaker boss Dave Bowman senses the players feel responsible for Jackie McNamara's sacking.
But he has backed them to stay strong for Saturday's Ladbrokes Premiership encounter against Partick Thistle.
McNamara and three coaching staff - Simon Donnelly, Darren Jackson and Craig Hinchcliffe - lost their jobs this week after United lost to 10-man St Johnstone.
United had only won four of their last 24 games but Bowman believes the players were fully behind him.
"The boys were very close," Bowman said.
"The manager never lost the dressing room at all. I've seen it before, when managers have lost the dressing room, but Jackie for one definitely never did that. The players were upset with what happened.
"Ultimately it's the players who have cost the manager his job - if they aren't performing then it's the manager that pays the price for it.
"The players have been great for me. They have put in a good amount of work.
"Players are resilient, although they are upset. They probably do feel responsible for what has happened."
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