Bordeaux midfielder Yoann Gourcuff has accused the press of causing his club's downfall from 2009 Ligue 1 champions to also-rans this campaign.
Les Girondins head into this weekend sixth in the standings, 11 points behind leaders Marseille with six games remaining for Laurent Blanc's men - although all their rivals have played a game more.
Gourcuff believes they have been subjected to more intense scrutiny this term after ending Lyon's seven-year domination of Ligue 1 by winning the title last campaign.
"The press, last season, you were more on the back of Lyon," the 23-year-old France international said.
"The press, last season, you were more on the back of Lyon," the 23-year-old France international said. "This year, Bordeaux has taken the flak. All this creates an atmosphere. We lost enthusiasm because of you (the media)."
"What you can write in the newspapers, what you can say... you are all over Bordeaux, wanting to find little things to try to destabilise Bordeaux.
"And suddenly, all around the training centre, we feel a climate, an atmosphere different from last season and that is partly related to what you say or write."
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