Sporting director Michael Zorc has revealed Borussia Dortmund have called a meeting in a bid to address their worrying form.
The Bundesliga giants slipped nine points behind rivals Bayern Munich following their weekend defeat at Hertha Berlin with manager Marco Rose questioning some of his players' attitudes.
And it comes just two months before they face Rangers in the playoff round of the Europa League.
Star striker Erling Haaland's commitment has been criticised amid speculation about a big-money transfer next month and Zorc has decided to hold clear-the-air talks.
He said: "We can only function as a team with everyone pulling in the same direction and we have to work harder on that.
"We will have a team meeting to look ahead for the future.
"Unfortunately, we go into our winter break with the smell of defeat clinging to us and that's a horrible feeling until our next game.
"I do think we get criticised too much though. We get compared with Bayern Munich and judged, but the financial situations between the clubs cannot be compared in any way.
"People have to ask themselves if second place in the Bundesliga really means mediocrity."
