LEEDS United skipper Dominic Matteo insists it's the players who should be carrying the can for the club's poor start to the season -- not underfire manager Peter Reid.

Reid met United chairman John McKenzie for crisis talks earlier this week following the Whites' worst start to a season since the 1981/82 Division One relegation campaign.

Last weekend's humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Everton saw the club slip into the Premiership's bottom three for the first time in their history.

But Matteo is adamant it's the players and not the manager who are responsible for United's current plight.

"The manager's done a great job. What happened at Goodison was humiliating and embarrassing, but it is the players' responsibility," said Matteo.

"It's up to us now to prove we are a good team and show that we want to play for Leeds United.

"We all know our jobs. If anyone is to blame for what's happened so far this season then it's the players. We all know the manager has set us up properly. He's been brilliant.

"I'd seen that he'd taken responsibility after Sunday's game, but that isn't right. It's down to the players to take the blame.

"We want to bounce back for the manager and the supporters because they deserve more than we've given them. It's up to us to work hard and put it right."

Reid was granted a stay of execution following his meeting with McKenzie this week.

But the former England international knows that he's far from out of the woods just yet, especially as Leeds face Manchester United in the league and the League Cup as well as Liverpool and Arsenal, following Saturday's home game with Blackburn Rovers.