Bolton Wanderers midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker says there's enough talent in the dressing room to rescue their season.
Reo-Coker, 27, reckons maturity and consistency are the keys to bucking the trend and pulling clear - yet the Trotters are consistently bad at present.
Even the boss has turned on the team by questioning his players' bravery and commitment when they earn thousands of pounds each week.
"And football teaches you some life lessons and this is a lesson that some of these young boys have to learn very quickly.
"The Premier League is very unforgiving. You can either roll over or you can say, 'I'm going to roll my sleeves up and show that I'm a man'.
"We've got to be men about the situation. It's as simple as that. It's a six-pointer and one we must win. This next period of games we have will separate the men from the boys. We are grown men, we are professional footballers.
"This is our job and we have to take full responsibility. There is no time for fear. We have to fight for our survival.
"I don't sense any fear. We can't keep on making excuses and blaming other issues like confidence.
"Whether you are playing Manchester United, Wigan or Blackburn there should be no fear in your mind. You should have full confidence and belief in your own ability." Reo-Coker said: "That has no bearing on it as far as I'm concerned. It's nothing to do with wealth or anything at all. It's about football.
