Leeds fight back

LEEDS UNITED players today came out in defiant support of under- fire head coach Brian Kidd.

There were bitter scenes at Everton yesterday when Leeds fans rounded on Kidd during the 0-0 draw.

At the final whistle, chairman Peter Ridsdale confronted several hundred supporters who had barracked manager David O'Leary's assistant.

The fans blame the former No2 to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson for Leeds's recent collapse, during which they have failed to win in 10 matches and been knocked out of the UEFA Cup.

But today, in an unprecedented show of support, England stars Nigel Martyn, Rio Ferdinand and Alan Smith backed Kidd ahead of Wednesday's home Premiership match against Ipswich.

The trio said it was their decision to hold a press conference at the club's training complex, with no prompting from O'Leary or Ridsdale.

Goalkeeper Martyn said: "We're 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 fans 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.

"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 we want Brian to stay."

England striker Smith said: "He has done a marvellous job, and it's now down to the lads to put things right."

Ferdinand, who missed yesterday's game after suffering a back spasm, was sitting in the Goodison stands and heard the vitriolic criticism aimed at Kidd. The Leeds captain said: "The fans are wanting to blame somebody, and because Kidd is from Manchester it's easy for them to make him the scapegoat which is totally wrong."

Leeds have slipped from first to fifth in the Premiership and are in grave danger of missing out on a place in next season's Champions League.

Bitter Leeds supporters trace their side's demise to a year ago when Kidd stepped up from his role as youth academy director to head coach.

Eddie Gray has long been Leeds' assistant manager, although he no longer plays such an active role in coaching matters since Kidd's arrival, but it was his name which was being chanted repeatedly by the fans who idolise him.

Ridsdale must wait to learn if he faces any charges from the Football Association after his confrontation with fans. The FA will not comment until it has received the police report, which it will get later this week.

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