Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang believes Borussia Dortmund cannot hide behind the excuse of an ongoing injury crisis as their frustrating form in the Bundesliga continues.
Dortmund have only picked up seven points from their first seven league games this season and currently sit 13th in the table, while they are already six points behind third-placed Borussia Monchengladbach.
Jurgen Klopp's side have not won any of their last four Bundesliga games, suffering three defeats at Mainz, Schalke and at home to Hamburg.
The poor run has been put down to Dortmund's injury crisis, which has left Marco Reus, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Jakub Blaszczykowski, Nuri Sahin and Ilkay Gundogan all sidelined.
"There's no hiding that [the injuries are] a problem because we've had to do without numerous players for weeks. But a club like Borussia Dortmund doesn't have the right to hide behind excuses," Aubameyang told the Bundesliga's official website.
The 25-year-old argued that summer arrivals such as Ciro Immobile, Adrian Ramos and Matthias Ginter still need time to adapt to Dortmund's playing style, while adding: "We have problems particularly at the start of games."
Aubameyang was referring to the first Bundesliga match of the season when Dortmund conceded a goal to Bayer Leverkusen only nine seconds in, as well as the derby at Schalke, where they were already 2-0 down in less than 30 minutes.
"We weren't wide awake either time and I don't think we are concentrating enough and that's something we must improve on if we don't want to put our aims in jeopardy," he said.
"We certainly can't be happy with the way things have gone so far in the Bundesliga. We want to put this right as quickly as possible and climb the table."
Aubameyang's comments were echoed by Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller, who has yet to keep a clean sheet in the Bundesliga, although he has not conceded a goal in two Champions League games.
"It was uphill all the way in the last few years, but now things aren't that smooth in the Bundesliga. It's important to remain calm, and analyse things. And then we'll get out of that situation soon enough," he told Bild.
"Our goal remains the direct Champions League qualification [third place in the Bundesliga]. And we'll get there in the end, I am convinced.
"You go through those phases in football every once in a while. But our thinking is not short-term, and we also know that the Bundesliga is fundamental to returning to the Champions League next year."
Bayern Munich attacker Thomas Muller also commented on Dortmund's shaky start, telling kicker: "Their bad start is a bit astonishing to me. But it's clear that they will not stay in 13th position."