Wolves boss wants an end to the blame culture

Wolves host Leeds tomorrow with the criticism of Jez Moxey still ringing in the players' ears after the chief executive laid the blame for the dismal season chiefly on the under-performing squad.

Boss Saunders believes the players accept their part but challenged them to do much more to help the team's cause.

"I think they'll admit over the last two-and-a-half to three years they haven't won enough games," said Saunders.

"I've asked them individually 'are you doing your job in your position? Don't blame everyone else – get your job sorted'.

"Players like to blame everything – I did, it's a sort of defence mechanism.

"That's human nature, and normally, the manager puts the players right.

"Sometimes you have to criticise them to help them so they know where they're going wrong.

"They've all got to work harder and concentrate on their own jobs, and then as a team, they've got to fight."

Saunders also questioned the hunger of the team, with Wolves now eight games without a win and fourth from bottom of the Championship, two points from safety and with one win in 11 at home.

"Are we playing with the same desire and enthusiasm or do we still want to win as much as we did?" he said.

"Some players got promoted from this league previously but that's gone.

"Mike Tyson was unbeatable at one stage, but three years later everyone was beating him.

"If you're not the same animal that's had the success, you've got to get back to doing what you're good at."

Saunders also admitted he has thought about the prospect of relegation but believes Wolves shouldn't be in a dogfight to stay up.

"Relegation crosses my mind, yes," he said. "Avoiding it crosses my mind, and what we've got to do to get away from it.

"I know the players are better than the league position we're in, but you've got to go out and do it."