IF Terry Venables was ever under any illusions about the pressure of managing Leeds United, he is not any more.

Four months into the marriage, it is not just a case of the honeymoon being over, the divorce lawyers are starting to check their diaries. The C word is being mentioned almost on a daily basis and, although he might address the concern with a dismissive "Crisis, what crisis?" it is going to need much more than just a merry quip from El Tel to silence his critics, who were in full cry after the Worthington Cup defeat at Sheffield United.

What Wanderers fans would not give to be in the same "fix"!

But mid-table mediocrity is not what the Leeds faithful expected after finishing fifth last season under David O'Leary and they are not only questioning the new manager's commitment to the cause but his ability to put things right.

Elland Road is certainly not the fortress they hoped it would be - encouraging for Wanderers who go there on Sunday afternoon in search of Premiership points - and whether he would describe it as a "crisis" meeting or not, Venables felt the need last week for some straight-talking with his players.

"We've had a chat about the situation and discussed things positively.

"I want the players involved in everything. After all, they have to carry out the orders on the field so they have to have an input. We have to find out what the solutions are."

Venables, who has come under fire for his television appearances, remains optimistic that the situation will improve, adding: "Things can easily turn round but you don't want the cracks to get bigger. "I can't control what people feel and they are entitled to their opinions but worrying won't solve anything."

Venables is not for turning on the question of David Batty's Elland Road future, insisting: "all good things come to an end".

The 33-year-old missed just two Premiership games last season but is yet to figure since Venables took charge.

It looks as if he will continue to be frozen out despite the Leeds fans repeatedly calling for the return of the former England midfielder. The manager said: "I felt when I arrived that David was at a time in his career, which we all reach, when he would not be getting into the team.

" I also felt he might be stopping the younger guys coming through. So I made that decision and nothing has changed."

In the current climate, with Elland Road fans chanting 'Venables out!' and "There's only one David Batty', they may not have been the wisest of comments.