STEVIE Crawford understands why Pars fans are frustrated but he is confident his side can turn this run of form around.

They have suffered five defeats in a row and there’s now only three points separating themselves and Partick Thistle in the relegation play-off place.

Crawford told Press Sport this week: “I fully understand their concerns.

“With the run that we’re on, I understand that it’s not what people want or expect.

“I understand that people will be unhappy but all I can say is that I’m 100 per cent focused on the job at hand and I know that both Jason (Dair) and Greg (Shields) are as well.

“We have to get results and start turning the corner quickly.

“It’s a very cruel game as maybe just over a month ago we were in the play-off positions and now we find ourselves looking over our shoulders to see what’s beneath us in the league.

“I would say to the fans to stick with the team. I understand their frustrations but I fully believe that we can turn this.”

Crawford delayed his 46th birthday celebrations last Thursday to focus on the Morton game and he stressed his desire to get points back on the board.

He said: “I’m that focused on doing everything I can to drive this club forward that I think I sat in here until 9 o’clock at night on my birthday.

“You can call me a sad old man, but I am what I am, and this club means a lot to me.

“I’m not happy at the moment with where we are but a big part of the responsibility lies on my shoulders.

“I knew that when taking the job.

“I’ll work tirelessly, as will the players and the rest of the staff, to get this club moving in a positive manner again.”

When asked if he was feeling any pressure, he said: “I always put pressure on myself anyway.

“If you’re in charge of a team, it would be silly to say that there’s no pressure as it comes with the job.

“There’s disappointment right now but every day I get up to try and make this club better.

“On the back of five defeats, it’s not nice. It doesn’t feel nice.

“I never hid from it as a player and I’m certainly not going to hide from it when I’m leading people.

“I have full belief in the boys in there.

“We just need to address a few issues and get a bit of shape back to the team and to play with a more positive manner in games where we go ahead and not sit too deep that invites pressure onto us.”

Crawford has made two additions to his squad during the January transfer window with both Ethan Ross and Dom Thomas coming in on loan from Aberdeen and Kilmarnock respectively.

He’s keen to add to his squad further and has been running the rule over Celtic prospect Mark Hill.

The club have been in talks with the 21-year-old defensive midfielder over a potential move to East End Park.

Crawford said: “Mark is a name that’s been put to us.

“It’s something that I’ve been in discussions about over the weekend.

“Whether that’s something we’re going to commit to and sign; we have been in talks with Mark in terms of where he’s at for the next stage of his career.

“It’s not necessarily clear-cut that we’re going to pursue an interest in signing him.

“It could be the case of getting him in and around the place and see if we can get his career back on track.”

Hill’s contract with Celtic is set to expire in the summer after he signed a three-year-deal in 2017.

He has had loan moves in Scotland with St Mirren and Forfar Athletic but most recently enjoyed a spell in America with USL Championship side Charlotte Independence.