Blame players, says Wilcox

LEEDS midfielder Jason Wilcox has eased the pressure on manager Terry Venables by claiming it is the players’ responsibility to lift the club away from the relegation zone.

Venables has come in for fierce criticism with Leeds hovering above the relegation zone in 16th in the Premiership, primarily because of a woeful Elland Road record, losing six out of eight home matches.

Yet despite polls asking supporters to point an accusing finger at either Venables, chairman Peter Ridsdale or former boss David O’Leary for the club’s current demise, Wilcox feels it is time the players stood up to be counted.

‘‘Results and performances haven’t been good enough, but it’s only the players who can turn things around,’’ said left-winger Wilcox, a firm favourite with Venables.

‘‘We can play as much pretty football as we want, but if we are not getting results then it is no good, so it is now a case of getting back to basics.

‘‘Last year we were also struggling. We weren’t playing well and after some games we were left thinking ‘how did we win that one?‘

‘‘There were times when we were getting battered by teams, yet somehow we were still winning games.”

Despite rumours of bust-ups in the Leeds camp, in particular this week with Australians Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell embroiled in a public spat, Wilcox is adamant the squad is strong and they will have the final say.

‘‘We remain optimistic and positive about the future. We know we have a good team and it is important we stick together as a group because if we start having little break-off groups then we really will be struggling.”

Olivier Dacourt is ready to aid Venables’ cause with a potential return from injury this weekend following almost five weeks on the sidelines.

The prospect of Dacourt leaving when the transfer window re-opens in January appears slim according to his agent, Bruno Satin.

Venables has been warned by Ridsdale he must sell before he can buy, with Dacourt one of those who has long been touted for a move away from Elland Road.

The 28-year-old has previously been linked with Juventus and Lazio, while Roma are known to be keen.