Smith’s stout defence of beleaguered boss Reid

LEEDS striker Alan Smith has issued a defiant defence of boss Peter Reid, insisting he remains the man to lead the club out of their current crisis.

Chairman Professor John McKenzie has intimated further talks are likely to be held with Reid regarding his future if Leeds lose to Arsenal on Saturday.

Leeds are currently one off the bottom of the Premiership and out of the Carling Cup following their third-round exit at the hands of bitter rivals Manchester United on Tuesday.

Reid’s side could conceivably be rock bottom come Sunday evening if they are beaten by Arsenal and Leicester triumph over Blackburn 24 hours later Reid’s reign hit the spotlight four weeks ago, but McKenzie chose then to back him after infamously consulting with supporters’ groups.

Smith is urging the powers that be at Leeds to keep faith with Reid as the players believe he has the characteristics needed for a potential relegation dogfight.

“Since he has been here he has had a difficult job on his hands. Everybody knows that and the fans and the players appreciate that,” said Smith.

“I just hope someone who is in charge of the club looks at it realistically, that we’ve a manager who knows how to scrap and fight, and as a player he did that.

“If you take heart from the performances we’ve put out, it shows how much the lads are behind the gaffer. He can’t do much more for us and I don’t think we can do much more as a team.

“But he will keep our heads up through difficult times. He has never shirked it. He has backed us all the time,” he said. “He came into the dressing room after Tuesday’s game and told us he couldn’t ask any more of us, which is what you want to hear as a player.”

Yet given the club’s position in the league, and parlous plight off it, the black cloud over Elland Road shows no sign of dispersing.

Smith recognises it is up to the players to start producing in order to steer the club back up the table.

“We’ve got to get back to winning ways,” said Smith. “We’ve got to survive first and foremost and with the performances we’ve shown in the last few games, we know we can do that.”

But as Reid has mentioned, Leeds’ luck has deserted them.

“Things just don’t seem to be going for us,” confirmed Smith.

“We’re wondering when the tide will turn, but we’ll keep working hard