Leeds United players today displayed an unprecedented show of support for head coach Brian Kidd.
Leeds supporters yesterday rounded on Kidd, a former Manchester United player and coach, during the goalless draw against Everton at Goodison Park.
At the final whistle, the fans' criticism prompted chairman Peter Ridsdale to walk round the touchline and speak with the few hundred supporters who had yet to leave the ground. Ridsdale told them manager David O'Leary, the players and the club were fully behind Kidd.
The fans blame the former assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson for Leeds's recent collapse, which has seen them stretch their winless streak to 10 matches.
But today goalkeeper Nigel Martyn, captain Rio Ferdinand and striker Alan Smith voiced their backing for Kidd. The trio confirmed it was their decision to hold a press conference at the club's Thorp Arch training complex, with no prompting needed from either O'Leary or Ridsdale.
Martyn said: "We are doing this to put things straight because people have got the wrong impression that Kidd is the reason why things are going wrong.
"The way the supporters are reacting is borne out of frustration, because after doing well at the start of the season we cannot seem to find a win since the turn of the year.
"They have a right to be frustrated, but it's not right to accuse one coach. So we have decided to underline our support for Brian before the situation gets any worse," Martyn said.
"I heard what was said during the game and I was quite shocked. I know Brian heard it as well and that he was upset by what was being said.
"It would be easy for him to go in front of the cameras and say what he wanted to say. But people would probably think that is just retaliation, so we are speaking on his behalf. We want to make it clear that we want Brian to stay," the Leeds keeper said.