Gray lays it on line for Leeds

Leeds caretaker-manager Eddie Gray tonight hammered home the message that repeat performances of their 3-0 Elland Road humiliation by Middlesbrough will see the debt-ridden club relegated.

Leeds are six points adrift of safety in the Premiership, after suffering their sixth successive defeat, and their fifth in the league.

Gray’s side barely mustered a chance against Boro, who ran out comfortable winners, courtesy of second-half goals from Boudewijn Zenden, Joseph-Desire Job and a Michael Ricketts penalty.

Although United chief executive Trevor Birch has managed to secure Leeds’ financial future until the end of the season, it is now becoming increasingly apparent that the players lack the talent to stay in the top flight.

A dejected Gray said: “We didn’t really create a chance and we made mistakes, which was very disappointing because I expected a lot more.

“I don’t have any excuses and that’s what I’ve said to the players, but they have to accept their responsibility because I know I accept mine.

“Whenever you are down at the bottom, It’s not easy but we are not going to get out of this if we continue to perform like that.

“No disrespect to Middlesbrough because although they played well we made it easy for them and they won the game comfortably.

“I’ve got to hope they can turn the corner, but that’s not going to happen if we keep playing like this.

“It’s now becoming very difficult for us, although it’s always been difficult but the games are running out.”

Gray was so despondent by his side’s pitiful display, he barely commented on goalkeeper Paul Robinson’s 88th-minute red card for a foul on Ricketts, which led to the Boro striker scoring the third from the spot.

“That’s not what cost us the game, and anyway, there’s more to concern me than that,” added Gray.

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren, in stark contrast, hailed his side’s victory as a “great performance”.

He said: “We’ve been threatening to do that all season and today, this was a complete performance because we defended well, kept a clean sheet, scored goals and could have had more.

“But I’m taking nothing away from Leeds. For the position they are in, the players’ spirit and attitude was very good and even at 3-0, they kept going. But we played very well.”

McClaren, meanwhile, confirmed he is interested in signing Leeds striker Mark Viduka.

The Australia international was again absent on compassionate leave, although is expected back early next week, after spending the last three weeks at the bedside of his critically-ill father Joe.

McClaren added: “Everybody knows we are in search of a striker and we have made no secret of that, while Mark Viduka is someone who interests us.

“He is very good player and someone I would love to see at Middlesbrough. We’ve spoken to Leeds and made an enquiry, but it’s going to be difficult because at 5pm on Monday, the transfer deadline finishes. Mark is still in Australia, so it seems highly unlikely we will get him at the moment.”