Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross has acknowledged that the relegated Potters "have not been good enough" this season.
The Staffordshire outfit saw their 10-year stay in the Premier League come to an end on Saturday as Crystal Palace ran out 2-1 winners at the bet365 Stadium.
Shawcross, whose underhit backpass on 86 minutes allowed Patrick van Aanholt to score the winning goal for the Eagles, insists that the damage had been done long before his mistake.
"It's difficult obviously but it's not one just about game," the 30-year-old told BBC Sport. "It's over a season and we've not been good enough all season.
"Ultimately it's down to the players: we have not been good enough. The fans have been brilliant today, a tough result and they're still cheering us.
"Since the gaffer (Paul Lambert) has come in we've had a right go and been in every game. But for whatever reason we've not got the goals we needed and that cost us."
The Potters, who finished 13th last season, have suffered a first top-flight relegation since 1985.
