Grayson: The players have to earn their money or I’ll bring others in

The Elland Road side are sixth in the Championship but the abject manner of their performance in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Reading has set the alarm bells ringing.

Following on from their laboured efforts in a 1-1 draw at Watford a week earlier, Leeds lacked cohesion, ideas and urgency as the Royals eased to a win that lifted the Berkshire club up to seventh in the Championship.

Grayson, whose side travel to Derby County and Barnsley before the end of the year, said: “The players have got to accept responsibility.

“Everyone wants to get promoted and you have to do something about it.

“You can’t just expect to turn up, get your wage and say ‘if we win today then happy days. If we don’t then I am not bothered’.

“You have got to earn your money and that is what this club, the supporters, the chairman and myself demand from the players every week.

“If they don’t want to do that then other players will have to come in.

“Too many of our players have been below par over the last couple of games. We are still in a good position with half the season to go but as individuals, we have to raise the bar.”

Chairman Ken Bates had thrown down the promotion gauntlet before the game when he wrote in his programme notes: “This year is the ultimate challenge for Simon, his staff and, just as importantly, the players.

“For those whose ambition is to play in the Premier League, well ... get us there. For those who are seeking a substantial pay rise, well, get us to the Premier League and we can afford it.”

The Yorkshire club, though, were clearly second-best throughout.

One player disappointed with his own efforts was returning goalkeeper Andy Lonergan, who had been out for two months with a dislocated finger.

During his absence, Alex McCarthy had come in on loan from Reading and impressed with a string of fine displays.

McCarthy was unable to play against his parent club, meaning Lonergan – surely the club’s most consistent performer before sustaining his injury in mid-October – was given a chance to impress.

He said: “It was a disappointing day. You have got to look at the bigger picture but at a time like this straight after a game, it is hard to. The dressing room was very down afterwards, as you would expect. I am upset because that was my chance to get back in the team but I have played 250 games and I know I am a good goalkeeper. It is a minor blip.

“With the goal, I was kicking myself at the time. I have watched it again and I really don’t think there was much I could have done. Maybe I could have retreated to my line so I didn’t get lobbed. But that is the thing you can’t practice, it only comes in match situations.”

Asked if he expects to start on Boxing Day at Derby, Lonergan replied: “Not after that. To be honest, I don’t deserve to be. I was poor. Someone else has come in and done well, and fair play to him.”