Under-fire Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough says the "majority" of fans can accept where his squad is right now.
Sunday's 2-2 draw with Cyprus was the latest disappointing result under Baraclough's tenure.
Northern Ireland have claimed just two points from a possible 12 in the current UEFA Nations League campaign, courtesy of two draws against Cyprus.
Read more: Northern Ireland vs Cyprus as it happened at Windsor Park
This time they had to rely on a 94th-minute equaliser from Jonny Evans to snatch a draw.
Northern Ireland trailed 2-0 to two Andronikos Kakoulli's goals either side of the break.
Paddy McNair started the comeback in the 71st minute, with Evans forcing home the equaliser via the underside of the crossbar deep into stoppage time.
There were boos throughout the game including chants of "We want Bara out", while you could also hear some jeers during Baraclough's interview on Premier Sports.
He said: "I think the majority of fans know where we are at this moment in time.
"And I think the majority know we are building to be a better team in two or three years' time. And we are giving the players that experience of what it is like to play international football.
"And some of them haven't played senior football for their clubs, so it is a big ask in this environment."
Reflecting on the game, Baraclough says his players have to learn how to win games after dominating possession and goal attempts against Cyprus.
"I think it is a game we largely dominated," he added.
"We certainly created a lot of chances. We have to learn that when we're in control of games we put the ball in the net.
"All of a sudden we find ourselves a goal down after half an hour where I think they've had one half chance that has fizzed across the face of goal.
"That's a learning process, a learning process for young players.
"Second half, the same again. We started the half in similar fashion and found ourselves 2-0 down and chasing the game.
"Changes are made and you get the momentum from the energy from that. And we showed we have a fighting spirit and players who are playing together.
"Players who two weeks ago came together as a group and didn't know each other. We know where we are in the cycle, in the process and this was a building process for September and beyond, and into the Euros next year.
"I look at the situation, coming from 2-0 down to salvage a point. People will say we should be beating Cyprus, but with the squad we have at the moment, and the players we are blooding and bringing in, they're learning.
"They are learning how to win games of football. And when you dominate a game like that, we had 19 chances on goal to their six, you make sure you win the game.
"These are things you learn."
Northern Ireland now have a three month break before resuming their Nations League campaign.
They remain in third spot, level on points with bottom placed Cyprus but with a better goal difference.
Baraclough believes he will have a stronger hand to deal from in September when some of his more senior stars return.
"In September we are probably looking at a different squad, a stronger squad., with some of the senior players coming back in. Those who have made a real impact over the past few years," he said.
"But you have some of the younger ones like Shea Charles, Conor Bradley, Brodie Spencer, who contributed massively.
"From where they were three weeks ago you wouldn't have imagined they would have been in this situation. They have taken their chance and done well.
"And they are ones for the future with us."
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