Cian Coleman knows talk is cheap.
Instead of saying results can improve, the Cork City captain admits it is time the players delivered some proof.
The Rebels’ predicament is becoming more and more stark with each passing week as they digest a run of five straight defeats.
Only First Division newcomers Kerry FC - with 37 goals conceded - have a worse defensive record across both divisions with City shipping 31 in their 14 games to date.
They are already five points adrift of third-from-bottom Drogheda United going into tonight’s trip to Dundalk at Oriel Park.
And bottom side UCD have all the incentive they need to bridge the slender three-point deficit between themselves and the Rebels.
City officially advertised for Colin Healy’s successor on Tuesday, with new Sporting Director Liam Buckley and academy head Liam Kearney remaining in interim charge.
Last week, the stand-in duo saw Cork City lead 2-1 at home to St Pat’s at half-time, only to lose the game 3-2.
Skipper Coleman, 26, said: “I believe in the squad and we know we can turn it around, but we have to stop the talking and get results.
“It’s a massive club and the fans come through the gates every week. We’ve got to give them something to shout about.
“They keep coming back but we have to give them results as well. There’s still a long way to go but you can’t keep saying that every week.”
Coleman was rocked by Healy’s resignation, but knows his departure cannot be used as an excuse while the club seeks a replacement.
“It wasn't the news we were expecting last week,” he continued. “I saw the news on Twitter like everyone else and wasn’t sure if it was true or not until we got told.
“It’s not nice as a player when you’ve had a good relationship with the manager and great memories of winning the First Division last year.
“It’s tough but that's football. You have to accept it and move on. I’ve great respect for Colin, and all the lads do too, and we wish him the best of luck.
“It's been tough so far this season but in football things like that happen, so we have to get on with it as we still have a job to do.”
Coleman accepts the highs of last season are distant memories now, as the club deals with life in the top flight - but knows that cannot be an excuse.
And certainly not tonight, having already beaten Dundalk 1-0 this season at Turner’s Cross.
But if the Rebels thought that win would be a springboard to better times, they were sorely mistaken.
“We thought we could kick on from there, but that didn't happen,” said Coleman of successive defeats to UCD, Derry City, Shelbourne, Bohemians and St Pat’s.
“We've had chances the last few weeks and some of the goalkeepers have made unbelievable saves against us.
“We are creating chances. But we need to be defensively solid and keep the ball out of our net.
“Coming up from the First Division, it’s definitely a step up. It's always going to be tough but we've shown against some teams that we can do it.
“But it's about seeing out games. We can’t be letting teams back into games and it’s time we started picking up wins.”
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