Captain Peter Clarke spoke on behalf of the players after yesterday’s 3-2 defeat against Lincoln City in the FA Cup second round.
He said: "We are bitterly disappointed by the result. The manager has had some harsh words to say but he wanted to defend us, but I don’t think it’s right that he does that.
“Him, Ian Baraclough and Conor Marlin, the analyst, briefed us over the last four or five days about what to expect from tonight’s game and the performance, especially in the first half, maybe for 60 minutes of the contest was nothing short of embarrassing to be honest.
"We knew it was going to be an up and at them cup tie but we didn’t step up and perform. We didn’t do all the nitty gritty things which are demanded in every game.
“We made a good fight of it in the end but if we got a replay, we would have been fortunate.
“We left a lot to be desired and we let down the manager, fans, chairman and everyone associated with the club tonight."
Oldham Athletic fans travelled in their numbers, 415 of them, and the skipper praised them for their support.
“It was a fantastic turnout, they were great and they didn’t deserve the turnout we put in this evening,” he commented.
“They came in good numbers, made themselves heard, like they always do, and as a group, we let them down."
Latics face a quick turnaround as they travel to Oxford United on Saturday. “We have got to go back to basics,” admitted Clarke.
“We have got to do the nitty gritty things right and if we do that then we can play some good stuff.
“At times we have played good stuff but you have to win the battle first but tonight we were left wanting.
“We have got two important games coming up in the next 10 days and we will be back in tomorrow to start and put things right.
“We aim to go to Walsall after Oxford and aim to get two positive results."
Watch the full interview on Latics PlayerHD.