Stan Mills believes Oxford United's players let down former manager Gary Rowett who was sacked by the club on 23 December.
Oxford United winger Stan Mills believes the players let down former manager Gary Rowett, who was sacked just before Christmas.
Rowett's departure was announced on 23 December, after a year in the post, with the club struggling near the foot of the Championship and Mills says the squad has to shoulder the blame for his exit.
"We obviously know we haven't been up to standard this season and unfortunately that got our last manager sacked," Mills told BBC Radio Oxford.
"That's down to us as players really. We know it's a tough league and we need to step up.
"It's our fault we've not performed as well as we probably should have done and a manager has been sacked because of that."
Mills, who grabbed the late winner in the Boxing-Day win over Southampton with Craig Short in interim charge, feels Oxford have the talent to escape the drop.
"We know what we've got in that changing room. We know that if we all pull in the right direction we have got enough to stay in this league," he said.
"I think it's a good group. It's very hard working. We've got very talented players. I think if we all pull in the same direction, if we all work hard for each other that's all the new manager will want.
"Everyone, when a new manager comes in, raises their game a little bit because they want to be the one that makes the difference and I think we're all going to do that and it's going to help us perform on the pitch."
The U's, currently outside the relegation zone on goal difference, host Swansea City on Monday [19:45 GMT].
Category: General Sports
