Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic believes the players need to shoulder responsibility for the early-season failures of the team.

The reigning Premier League champions find themselves in 16th position on the table having won just three of their opening 12 fixtures this term.

Manager Jose Mourinho has been castigated in the press for the horrible form of his team but Ivanovic suggests it is the playing group that really need to have a good hard look at themselves in what can only be described as a premiership hangover.

"We didn't react well after winning the League trophy last season," he told the London Evening Standard.

"The only way to get out of this situation is to win, win and win again. No one has seen anything strange in the team. I don't think any footballer wants to lose a game. It doesn't matter the situation around you, your job is to win, your passion is winning games.

"I think all of the Chelsea players approach the game like that. The players are very honest with each other. We speak a lot, even during the training sessions we try to help and explain things to each other.

"Even when someone criticises another one, it is positive. That is important, there is nothing negative. This is a normal situation."