Bob Bradley admitted Swansea City’s players were left angry after a late draw at Everton send them bottom of the Premier League.
The American looked set for his first win as boss – and the team’s second of the season – thanks to Gylfi Sigurdsson’s first-half penalty.
But Seamus Coleman dashed those hopes with an 89th minute leveller leaving Bradley to admits games are now must-win.
The 58-year-old – who has claimed two points in five games since succeeding Francesco Guidolin – said: “Right now they are angry and disappointed, which is the way it should be when you give away a late goal like that.
“But even though we know we should be able to know how to close games out, this was encouraging and the work to turn this around has to continue.
“We know that the road ahead of us is long and hard but it’s my job to make sure they keep believing and find the courage to keep going. We have to keep going together.
“There is still belief in that dressing room, there are still players knowing we can do it if we go at it the right way.
“I think it would be fair to describe every game we face as must-win because that’s the position we’re in. We know what the table looks like and there’s no forgetting what we have to do.
“There were some positives but, after 12 matches when you’ve put yourself in the position we’re in, there has to be an understanding there’s a long way to go.”
The Swans have six points – two behind 19th placed Sunderland who beat Hull 3-0 to make it two wins on the trot.
Bradley’s side, who have not won since the opening day, are five points from safety.