Frank Lampard insists Chelsea's players will accept manager Luiz Felipe Scolari's criticism without protest.

"Any time at any club there will be some players at the top of their game and some that aren't," said Lampard.

"The manager didn't pick on anyone individually. The manager was just explaining how it's been. We're not here to pick out certain individuals, we've all had our patches where we've not played at our best.

"It's important the team stays strong and against Southend we showed a good spirit and team ethic. This is what we need to show from now on.

"I don't think it's a problem - we're all men. When you're a professional at a team like Chelsea and play below par or make a mistake, you have to accept it yourself.

"If the manager criticises you, you have to understand that. There is not a problem with it at all.

"If you want to cry about the manager saying you're playing below par - you have to look at yourself first. That is what every player has to do and is doing. The response was fantastic and we need to carry on from that."

Meanwhile, Ashley Cole says the team's fightback at Southend epitomised just how much the squad is prepared to battle for their boss.

"We fought for the manager and for each other because at the end of the day we are the ones who have been letting ourselves down," said Cole.

"I don't know if he [Scolari] is feeling the pressure, but a lot of people are trying to blame him, which is wrong.

"We go out every week and we are the ones letting down the fans and the manager. It's about us stepping up and against Southend we did.

"If we don't perform, people blame the manager, but it's down to us, we take full responsibility for results."