Owls' owner Milan Mandaric backs manager Alan Irvine

Mandaric took control at Sheffield Wednesday in December

Sheffield Wednesday chairman Milan Mandaric has publicly backed under-fire manager Alan Irvine.

Saturday's 4-0 defeat at Leyton Orient saw the Owls slip to 12th in the League One table.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield, Mandaric said: "This is a difficult time for results but at the same time we all have to not panic."

"We have a crucial game tomorrow night so we've got to get behind the players and the manager and give him a chance."

The Owls entertain Yeovil Town at Hillsborough on Tuesday evening.

Some fans have been calling for Irvine to go during a run which has left the Owls five points off the play-offs. Saturday's defeat at Brisbane Road extended a run of four games without a league win.

The Wednesday chairman has backed his manager during the January transfer window, with Gary Madine, Mark Reynolds, Reda Johnson and Michael Morrison all moving to Hillsborough.

Mandaric said: "He is bringing new players in and they need two or three games to settle down.

"We'll bring two or three more players in to enhance the quality of the team and I believe results will be there.

"I urge everyone - this is not the time for panic. This is the time for all of us to be together and get behind the team and give us a chance to get out of this league."

Irvine took over at Hillsborough in January 2010 and was unable to stop Wednesday's relegation from the Championship.

Expectations were high for an immediate return to the second tier, enhanced by the arrival of Mandaric as chairman in December.

However the club are nine points off the automatic promotion places after 24 league games.

Irvine has won 23 of his 56 games in charge of the Owls.