Cape Town - Orlando Pirates defender Tshepo Gumede believes the criticism levelled at coach Eric Tinkler was unfair as the entire team was responsible.
The Buccaneers have been faltering in the Premiership after investing all their resources and energy into the CAF Confederation Cup.
Pirates' struggles were on display at the weekend after suffering a shock 1-0 loss to relegation candidates Jomo Cosmos.
"I would say when it comes to the pressure, we share the load," Gumede told KickOff.
"It is not only the coach who is responsible; we are also on the field so the pressure and the heat goes to all of us.
"We try as much as possible that we share it and take responsibility and then we try to motivate each other and see where we can do things differently and how we can turn things around."
The 11th-placed Pirates face arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby on Saturday.