Schalke 04 captain Benedikt Howedes has dismissed talk of a crisis following a return of four points in their last five games, but admits that the team must improve.
Die Knappen had been touted as title challengers before November, but defeats to Hoffenheim, Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburger SV mean that they now trail leaders Bayern Munich by 13 points.
"We must be cautious not to slip off," ESPN quotes Howedes as saying. "Just think about where we stand in the league. You can't talk about a crisis.
"The coach fielded a couple of new players, but all eleven players on the pitch did not play well."
Schalke welcome Borussia Monchengladbach to Gelsenkirchen on Saturday.
