Newcastle United defender Chancel Mbemba has challenged his teammates to step up and accept responsibility for their failings this season.
The 21-year-old revealed that he didn't expect a relegation battle when he signed for the Magpies from Anderlecht in the summer but says the task of survival is now firmly in the hands of the playing group.
Mbemba said: "At the beginning of the season I did not expect the team to be in this position.
"I don't think any of the new players expected to be where we are.
"We had ambitions to be up in the top 10 at least but this season has been a failure right from the very start."
"The players are the ones who go onto the pitch and perform. It is not the head coach or the fans who go out and play, it is us.
"We have to take all the responsibility. We have to give 100 per cent to make sure we turn this around."
The Magpies are currently placed 18th in the league table, two points behind Swansea City, ahead of Tuesday night's clash with Manchester United.
