Players know what's needed, says Gray
Leeds caretaker-manager Eddie Gray feels the players have finally woken up to the fact the future of the club is in their hands.
Leeds have spent the last two months fighting the financial fires which have long threatened to engulf their existence, during which time the players have drifted ever closer to relegation to the Nationwide League.
Six successive Premiership defeats have pushed Leeds closer to administration and relegation, with tonight’s bottom-of-the-table showdown with Wolves at Elland Road the likely key to survival.
An embarrassing home loss to a Wolves side yet to win away in the league this season would surely sap whatever spirit remains in players who last month agreed to a 25% wage deferral to keep the club afloat.
Gray, though, saw signs of life in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa, and he is now hoping the players can resurrect the club, starting with their first win since December 14.
“It’s a huge game,” said Gray, who has been at a loss to explain some of his side’s performances.
“I said before the Villa game that we had to start picking up points, but we never did that on Saturday, so now we definitely have to do so against Wolves.
“But I was more encouraged by the effort and we did make a few openings, which is important, although the final ball might not have been what we have been looking for.
“The key now is trying to impress upon the players to forget the fear of playing at home and go out and perform.
“That’s difficult in the situation we are in, especially when we are at home and with the expectation level and the desire from the fans to see the club stay up.
“They have to overcome that, and I think they will. They have given me the impression they are ready to take the battle on now.
“By that I mean there were circumstances they were not too happy with, things that have happened at the club in the past like the wage deferral.
“They realise now they can be the salvation of the club in one way or another. They can help the club in its quest to survive.”
One player who will not be doing so, though, is David Batty who was yesterday told by Gray he has played his last match for the club.
Although there are implications of a fall-out, Gray insists his decision for axing the 35-year-old midfielder – who has made 372 appearances in two spells - is purely a footballing one.
“I feel it is the right decision,” added Gray, who has Jermaine Pennant and Eirik Bakke both doubtful with calf injuries.
“I had a chat to David and he knows how I feel. He was okay, and although I don’t expect him to be happy, I have got to look at the overall picture. I think we can cope without him, but time will tell.
“We played 4-4-2 on Saturday (losing 2-0 at Aston Villa) and that’s the way we will play between now and the end of the season.
“We have got to try to win as many matches as we can and that is the way we will do it. It’s one of the things I spoke to David about.
“But it has been frustrating for him as well, especially in the last four to five weeks. I have told David what I thought and we will leave it at that.”
