Jamaal Lascelles has hit out at his Newcastle United teammates following the 3-1 defeat at Southampton on Saturday.
The result has left the Magpies looking like relegation certainties, given that they are six points from safety with just 18 more left to play for.
Rather than search for a scapegoat, defender Lascelles has insisted that the players need to take full responsibility for the club's predicament.
"We need bigger characters on the pitch, players who care and who are going to get after each other," he told BBC Sport.
"We have lacked it this season and no matter how good you are, if you don't have that fight and hunger and desire, it doesn't matter.
"We need to play with more heart. We've got flair players, tricky players [and] players with loads of talent. But, we need more heart, we need more desire."
Next up for Newcastle is a home clash against Swansea City on Saturday afternoon.
Liam Apicella
