Cardiff City captain Sean Morrison says the players have been 'too inconsitent' this season and because of that Neil Harris lost his job.
"We've been too inconsistent and that's ended with Neil losing his job," Morrison said.
"We haven't been good enough and ultimately that comes down to the players."
Harris left following six successive defeats with Cardiff, play-off semi-finalists last season, 15th in the table and closer in points to the bottom three than the top six.
Chairman Mehmet Dalman had warned in October the club would be disappointed if they were not in the play-offs by January.
Harris' failure to deliver that target saw his 14-month tenure end, with Morrison admitting players had to take some responsibility.
"I think especially as captain to know the team's under achieving," said the 30-year-old when asked if he had been saddened by events.
"We've been way too inconsistent. We've had little spells where we've played okay and got a run of results but over the course of the first half of the season we really haven't been good enough and that comes down to the people on the pitch.
"Managers and staff can get us ready but if we're not going to do it once we cross that white line it's our fault - all we can do is pick ourselves up and move on."
Moving on Morrison is looking forward to new manager Mick McCarthy giving thre squad a lift.
He continued: "We just need someone that can come in and lift the lads - a lot of the squad are playing low on confidence and someone like (McCarthy) can lift spirits very quickly through personality and aura.
"It's a good appointment, who will definitely get the best out of the team. He knows how to get the best out of players and teams and I think we're very lucky to have him."
McCarthy's era begins away at Barnsley on Wednesday, Morrison adding: "It's a good squad that's been underachieving.
"We have a lot of work to do to catch up with the teams in the play-offs, it's going to be extremely difficult. We will need a very good second half and realistically get two points a game which is top two form."