DEAN Holdsworth is confident the players will be united but expects the public to be split over the PFA strike threat.

Speaking last month, Holdsworth, the Wanderers' union representative, insisted: "I hope there will be a resolution but if it happens (a strike) it will be for a reason and the lads will be solid here as I'm sure they'll be solid everywhere.

"They are doing the right thing by sticking together."

He accepts, however, that the players are unlikely to get overwhelming support from the fans.

"I think they will be divided," he suggested, "because you're talking about rich footballers in one vein and a lot of money while trying to explain to people that not everyone's rich and not everyone's in the position of being able to pack up and go and sit on a yacht for the rest of their life.

"We're not talking about the rich footballers of the Premier League here ... it's about the majority of players who have to carry on after football; it's about those who have to retire through injury and so many other ex-players who need the union's support - if you're a member of the PFA you're a member for life.

"Unfortunately the public judge footballers on the minority who are Premier League players. They don't seem to realise a lot of players who come out of football with a lot of debt as well. They've all got their mortgages and families.

"And who knows what's round the corner on a Saturday or tomorrow in training?"

The Reebok striker also believes there are clubs who have hit on hard times in the past, who have the players' union to thank for keeping them in business. "The PFA has paid players' wages when club's have been in financial difficulties."