Under-fire Leeds chief gets Barmby backing

Nick Barmby is adamant the Leeds players are 100% behind chairman Peter Ridsdale and boss Terry Venables, who has stated he “will not be bullied” out of Elland Road by the club’s boo-boys.

Both Venables and Ridsdale have already said they will not quit despite the abuse they have received with the club failing to live up to the high standards expected by the supporters.

The Worthington Cup defeat at Sheffield United prompted cries of “Venables out” and “Ridsdale out”, while Leeds’ fourth-successive home Premiership loss to the previously rock-bottom Bolton again led to the fans turning on their beleaguered boss.

Venables now takes his injury-hit squad to the relative sanctity of White Hart Lane and former club Spurs tomorrow, where he was appointed manager for a four-season spell 15 years ago to this day.

Barmby, who started his career as a trainee under Venables at Tottenham but did not make his debut until after his departure, believes a united front will hopefully be a cure for Leeds’ current malaise.

“We’ll keep working hard to change things, it does take time to do that,” stated Barmby, who scored 20 goals in 87 league appearances over four seasons for Spurs.

“We are behind the gaffer 100% though, and the chairman too. The fans aren’t happy and the players know their frustrations because we’re frustrated too.

“They want to see Leeds at the top of the table and so do we, but we need everyone behind us. That’s what we’ve all got to do – stick together.”

Venables has been left totally surprised by the supporters’ lack of patience since taking charge at Leeds four-and-a-half months ago, which is in stark contrast to when he first started out at Tottenham.

When Venables took over, several high-profile players had just left the club or then had their careers cut short by injury, resulting in Spurs finishing 13th at the end of the 1987-88 season.

But in the following three seasons, as the 59-year-old rebuilt the squad, the north London giants went on to finish sixth and third, before winning the FA Cup in 1991.

“Times have moved on because people lack the patience they did then,” reflected Venables.

“It’s a younger thing, maybe even a social thing, where people want things today. I believe it is like that here at Leeds, although it’s not the whole scenario, but that is the case at the moment.”

It has resulted in the boos and the calls for Venables’ head, but he added: “I’ve been brought up in such a way that I will not be bullied by things like that.

“The main thing that concerns me at the minute is the players, the coaching staff and the board. I’d like the supporters to come along with us and join in.

“That’s obvious, I would like them to be on our side. But whichever way it is I will continue to do what I am doing. I know what I think is necessary and time will tell whether I’m right or not.

“I’m here at a time when I think it needs me to be bold and do what I think is right. You would expect a fair sort of chance and, if I’m given that chance, I’m confident. If I get the time I will turn it around.”

Despite the wrath of the Leeds’ fans towards him, in contrast Venables is likely to be given a warm ovation from the Spurs supporters following his time there as a player from 1966-69 and manager from 1987-91.

Barmby, Venables’ first signing for Leeds for £2.5m from Liverpool during the summer, also has a strong affinity with Tottenham where he played from 1991-95.

“I’m sure he [Venables] will get a fantastic reception there because he did wonders for the club, and Tottenham has always got a special place in my heart,” added Barmby.

“It’s where I started my career and I have fond memories of White Hart Lane, but the main thing is for Leeds to get a positive result there.”

Lee Bowyer returns from a one-match ban and Ian Harte is fit again after shaking off a calf injury, but Danny Mills, who has missed the last three games due to personal problems, is doubtful with an ankle injury, as are Michael Duberry and Eirik Bakke.

Olivier Dacourt, Lucas Radebe, Seth Johnson, Robbie Fowler and Dominic Matteo are all recovering from their long-term injuries.