Matteo said in the Yorkshire Evening Post today: "The manager's done a great job. What happened at Goodison was humiliating and embarrassing, but it is the players' responsibility.
"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."
This is The Whites worst start since the 1981/82 Division One relegation season, but there are 31 games left to get the survival train back on track.
"We have to pick ourselves up because we have a long season ahead of us," said Matteo.
"It's going to be a battle and the sooner we start thinking that the better.
"With defeats like this weekend's it is already proving to be a real fight. We have to start proving we are a good side."