Jonathan Woodgate has admitted to frustrations over Dimitar Berbatov's absence but refuses to use the transfer saga as an excuse ahead of Tottenham's Barclays Premier League clash at Chelsea.
Berbatov has handed in a transfer request and did not play against Sunderland last week.
It may not have been the way whole-hearted Woodgate would deal with the situation but the England defender now wants unity ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
"Everyone has to work for each other," the 28-year-old said.
"We haven't won the last two games and that's not down to Berba, it's down to ourselves."
Despite Berbatov looking for a move to Manchester United and Robbie Keane leaving for Liverpool, Woodgate insists Spurs still have eventual top-four aspirations.
"If we sell guys like Keane and Berbatov then they will buy top players to replace them," Woodgate said.
"It keeps going in circles but maybe we have to stop selling!
"I'm not using Spurs as a stepping stone - they're going to be a top club.
"The players can't help it if people are sold."
After two defeats this season, it does not get any easier this weekend as Chelsea protect their fearsome Premier League home record, with Woodgate tipping them to win the title.
Berbatov's proposed move appears to have undermined Tottenham's campaign and Woodgate acknowledges fans may struggle to sympathise with the Bulgaria striker.
"If it was me, maybe I wouldn't do it in the first place - I would play," Woodgate added.
"I would be working for the club as hard as I could until told otherwise but I don't know what has gone on behind closed doors with the manager
"I'll always give 100% wherever I am. If I didn't want to be somewhere, I'd still give my all - every training session, every game, all the time.
"I was happy to come down here from Middlesbrough but the manager will tell you that I would always give my all for the club and that's the way that it has to be.
"Okay, it hasn't exactly boosted the reputation of professional footballers in this country from the supporters' point of view but there's always two sides to the story."
Woodgate may feel disappointed if Berbatov was fit and did not play, but he added: "I'm sure that Berba will give his all for the team if selected. "He's a Spurs player so you expect him to give 100%."
Woodgate scored the winner against Chelsea in last season's Carling Cup final, and he feels they have strengthen since under new boss Luiz Felipe Scolari.
"I think Chelsea will win the league this season," he said.
"I think they've got the bit between their teeth, they've missed out in the last two seasons but I think they'll do it this year."
