Gray wants Leeds stars to stop thinking of themselves

EDDIE GRAY has warned Leeds’ highly-paid stars to stop thinking of themselves and start thinking of those less fortunate at Elland Road.

Midfielder David Batty called in the Professional Footballers' Association earlier this week to explain to the rest of the squad just what administration would mean to the players.

Another seven days is all acting-chairman and chief executive Trevor Birch is likely to be given, beyond which it is becoming increasingly probable the players will then be asked to take a wage deferral to raise enough funds until such time as Leeds know which division they will be playing in next season.

Regardless of that, Gray has been forced to spell out to the players they will still be playing football and will still be well paid, whereas for many at the club such as the tea and laundry ladies administration will see them out of work.

"I can understand why they called in the PFA because that's their body and they had every right to speak to them, which wasn't a problem," said Gray.

"The boys wanted to try and clarify their position and I hope it's helped them, but we will wait and see.

"You can understand the worry, but I've said to the players if anything happened to our club, I'm sure they would find other employment.

"But there's a lot of people working at Elland Road, not just me and the coaching staff, and they will be concerned as well.

"I'm more concerned and I worry about those other people at this club, people who are not as fortunate as them, more than I do about the players. It's that simple."

With Leeds one off the bottom of the Premiership and five points adrift of safety, Gray feels it is time the players started to focus on playing football, not whether they are going to lose money.

"They're a bit concerned with things that have gone on, but they have to forget about what's happening off the field and think about the job in hand, which is playing football," said Gray.

"Because of what's going on you're always concerned their minds might not be focused on what it should be. I've spoken to them and told them exactly what I think.

"I've tried to press upon them they should just be interested in playing football. The rest will take care of itself, whatever happens.

"I know the situation we're in doesn't help, but if you are on the training park or on the pitch for 90 minutes and you are playing a game, you should go out and enjoy it regardless of what is happening off the field.

"Once you get off the field then you can start thinking about things, but once you are on that pitch you should only be thinking about the match.

"With the situation the club is in, and the situation they are in personally, they as a team now have to go out and perform.

"They know if they don't perform and win games then it's not going to help anybody at the club, including themselves.

"The most important thing for me right now is trying to pick the points up, simply because of the position we're in in the league. We will be doing our utmost to make sure we do that," said Gray.