Tottenham captain Michael Dawson is of the belief that the players must take the blame for the clubs decision to sack manager Andre Villas-Boas.
The Portuguese was dismissed on Monday after Spurs lost 5-0 to Liverpool on Sunday but Dawson feels he was hardly done by and suggests the playing group need to shoulder the burden.
"It's been a difficult few days for all of us, what with the result here against Liverpool followed by Andre's departure," he wrote in the official matchday programme for Wednesday night's Capital One Cup clash with West Ham United.
"He was well liked in the dressing room and would always want things to work out, but it just wasn't meant to be. We wish him well.
"I know Andre came out after our heavy defeats to Manchester City and Liverpool and said that he took full responsibility, but when the team on the pitch loses in that fashion, the players have to stand up and realise ourselves that the performances haven't been acceptable.
"Those results were painful, the way we lost and the goals we conceded.
"As a defender and as captain of this club, I look at myself first, but all players have to take responsibility for what has happened.
"The lads were devastated after Sunday's game, of course. Losing any football match is disappointing, it happens to every team.
"But to lose 5-0 at home and 6-0 at City is not good enough. All I can do is apologise to those who turned out to support us."
