Ridsdale backing for Venables

Last updated : 19 November 2002 By The Gas Man

Leeds have just one of their last eight league matches, picking up only five points out of a possible 24 and have slipped to tenth spot in the table.

Leeds were also knocked out of the Worthington Cup by Sheffield United at Bramall Road although they have made it through to the third round of the Uefa Cup.

But, Ridsdale refuses to blame Venables for the clubs current plight and hinted that former boss David O'Leary was more to blame for this.

The Leeds chairman told a national newspaper: "The decline at the club began six months before Terry started. Everyone tends to forget that.

"When you change manager there is always a transitional period. It is the same at any club.

"It happened when Gerard Houllier went to Liverpool and when Glenn Hoddle went to Spurs - even when Sir Alex Ferguson went to Manchester United.

"I'm 100 per cent committed to Terry. He is doing things his own way.

"We've got a good squad of players but we've also had a lot of injuries. What people have to do is recognise Terry's skills and experience. Given time he will demonstrate why he is such a good manager."

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