O'Leary criticises stars

Kewell, in white, should have scored for Leeds

Leeds boss David O'Leary had admitted that rebuilding morale in the aftermath of Leeds United's Uefa Cup exit will be the biggest challenge he has faced in management.

The Yorkshire club went down to a last-minute header by PSV striker Jan Vennegor of Hesselink in the second leg, fourth round tie between the teams.

O'Leary challenged his "big game players" to live up to their reputations and help him turn Leeds' season around.

"This is a challenge for everybody within the club to try and rebuild team spirit and morale," said the manager.

"Everybody has to look at themselves. The big game players who are making reputations for themselves now have to stand up and be counted.

They now have to show whether they are the finished article or close to it

David O'Leary

"There's talk of players wanting to play on a certain stage and that we are getting bids in for those players, but they have to prove just what big players they are.

"I cannot help it if people will now say that we have not fulfilled our promise, but up until now they have done quite well and reaching the Champions League semi-final, that takes some doing.

"They have come a long way but this season has been very disappointing for many reasons.

"I have had many off-the-field challenges this season, but without a doubt, this is my biggest on-the-field challenge I have faced so far.

Excuses

"But it has to come from the players as well. Their potential has been talked about and they now have to show whether they are the finished article or close to it."

O'Leary was left ruing several missed chances by his players but he refused to blame an overworked defence for the defeat.

"We didn't keep the ball at all. Our central defenders were excellent, they had to be because we just couldn't get the ball back.

"It was a poor goal to give away. There was something missing of our spark in the second half but there were no excuses with the pitch.

I think we played the second half brilliantly

PSV midfielder Mark van Bommel

"This club needs something to go for it. It's in the players' hands, players who have big reputations perhaps didn't live up to their reputations."

Leeds winger Harry Kewell blasted high with an open goal at his mercy as Leeds created plenty of first-half openings.

But PSV produced some fine passing and attacking play after the interval.

"I think we played the second half brilliantly," said PSV's Mark van Bommel. "It was our best half of the season.

"Our attitude was the same in the first half and the passing was good, but the second half was much better from us.

"Nobody wanted to lose but we only needed one to get in to the next round and we got it."