Fallen giants Leeds United crashed to a 3-0 Championship defeat at Wigan on Saturday in a match marred by an altercation between two of their own players.
Gary Kelly and Sean Gregan squared up to each other in a bitter war of words early in the match at the JJB Stadium but they were defended by manager Kevin Blackwell.
”They want to give everything they can for this football club,” said the coach. ”I want players to nail other players if they are not doing it. I don’t think it should always be left to the manager and coaches to do that kind of thing. You need players to do that sometimes.”
Police were also seen rushing into the tunnel to break up an alleged dressing-room incident at the end of the game.
”I can’t understand it,” said Blackwell. ”Nothing went on. Players are players. They just get on and have a few words and that’s it.”
While Leeds continue to struggle in mid-table, Wigan closed the gap to just three points on leaders Ipswich, who could only manage a 1-1 draw at Preston on Friday.
Nathan Ellington, the division’s top scorer, Jason Roberts and Alan Mahon were on target for Wigan.
Sunderland slipped three points off the automatic promotion places as they were humbled 2-1 by 10-man Brighton while Reading lost 2-1 at home to struggling Coventry to slip out of the play-off zone.
Derby moved into fourth place after coming from behind to beat basement boys Rotherham 3-1, while West Ham replaced Reading in the play-off zone after a 5-0 hammering of visitors Plymouth. — Sapa-AFP