Frustrated Glentoran boss Rodney McAree hit out at his side's 'hunger and desire' after they were dumped out of the Irish Cup on Saturday.
Jordan Forsythe's goal earned holders Crusaders a 1-0 win at Seaview, and set up a semi-final clash with Dungannon Swifts.
Glentoran's season is threatening to bow out with a whimper, with the East Belfast side labouring in sixth spot in the Premiership and now out of the Irish Cup.
Read more: Paul Kee left 'heartbroken but proud' as Irish Cup dream comes to an end
McAree insists it is up to his players to prove their character in the remaining games this season as they chase a European qualification spot.
He told Glens TV: "The manner how we conceded the goal makes it very difficult. We had three or four chances to clear it but we didn't defend it well enough.
"The last three goals we have conceded we haven't defended them well enough and that's disappointing because you give yourself a harder task.
"We haven't done enough going forward either. We haven't created enough.
"I thought at times in the first half we did okay. We obviously hit the post but nobody reacts to the second ball and nobody follows it in.
"Then Crusaders go up the other end, hit the post and Jordan Forsythe reacts and goes and taps it into the back of the net.
"At this moment in time we are not showing the same hunger. We are not showing that hunger or desire at this moment in time that is required to win games of football in any competition we play in in this country."
He added: "We certainly have the players that can contribute. They have to go away and have a look at their own performance levels and see if they are doing enough and if they can do more. And I believe they can.
"We got into decent enough areas in the second half but our lack of final ball sadly let us down. And Crusaders probably ran out worthy 1-0 winners."
The past week has detonated Glentoran's hope of landing silverware this season.
A 2-1 defeat to Cliftonville was followed by a drab goalless draw against Glenavon, two results that leave the Oval club 16 points behind leaders Larne albeit with two games in hand.
Saturday's Irish Cup defeat has simply compounded McAree's frustration, and he says it is up to the collective effort of his whole squad to turn things around.
"I think what is missing is the hunger to keep the ball out of your own net and the hunger to put it in the opposition's net," he said.
"And at the moment we are not getting either. It's not any individuals or any department within the team, it is the collective.
"We have to do our job better in defence and attack. At the end of the day if players carry out their own jobs to the best of their ability then we will be doing better."
The Glens are back in action on Tuesday night when they travel to Carrick Rangers.
And McAree has demanded a big response from his misfiring squad.
"We will find out very quickly what kind of group of players we are working with. If they have the hunger and desire that they can bounce back out of this," he said.
"We have a tough game next. It is a tough place to go but we will find out a lot about our players."
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