Midfielder Charlie Adam says himself and his Stoke team-mates should “hang our heads in shame”.
In a hard-hitting discussion with BBC Radio Five Live, Adam said some of the squad had been “embarrassing” and had been “getting away with murder”.
Stoke became the first team to be relegated from the Premier League this season when they lost 2-1 at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Their relegation ends a 10-year stay in the division and Paul Lambert’s squad have now gone 13 games without a win.
Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland has described the club’s recent transfer business as “farcical” and Adam has now lambasted the squad.
“I’m embarrassed to be part of something like that, because we should never be in that situation,” said Adam.
“But when a disease creeps in and separate issues go on, it’s hard.
“As a group of players, we should hang our heads in shame, because that club should never be relegated.
“As players, you have your seven or eight in the group that try to make it work, and we failed.
“A lack of discipline from certain players has been embarrassing.
“I think some players have been getting away with murder for a long time and it’s difficult for supporters. It’s not just one or two, I think there are four or five that could be counted.”
Stoke sold Marko Arnautovic to West Ham last summer and, while the Austrian has helped West Ham to stay up, Stoke have struggled in his absence.
“We never replaced Arnautovic and, when you lose a player like that – if you don’t replace that you’re going to struggle,’ said Adam.
“You could spend £40m on a player but he might not be the right character for your club.
“We’ve spent a lot of money but you need to do your homework on the right players before they come in and have the right characters come in.”
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