Richardson's side have kept just five clean sheets all season

Three successive defeats have prompted Leeds skipper Frazer Richardson to call for a show of unity from the players.

Leeds have slipped outside the League One play-off zone and were dumped out of the FA Cup in the second round by non-league Histon.

Richardson told the club website: "It's time for all the lads to stand up and be counted, myself included.

"We have to stand up and put things right. It's no good talking about it - we have to show it on the field."

Leeds' 2-1 defeat at Tranmere last Saturday was their third in a row and saw them fall further behind League One leaders Leicester.

Richardson said: "We've conceded too many goals, but we've got to look to the future and put things right.

"We're either battering teams or we are losing which isn't right. We need a certain level of consistency.

We have to look forward now and this is a big month Leeds captain Frazer Richardson

"Away from home, it might be a 0-0, but something that we can build on.

"The gaffer wants us to play football and he wants us to defend right - make no mistake about that. He wants the defensive side right.

"It all stems from hard work and the right attitude and wanting to defend tight and keep clean sheets.

"Everyone wants that, and when we do that, we will win games because we are scoring goals.

"That is what it's all about now over the next few weeks. We have to go on unbeaten runs."

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Leeds face a crucial spell with Saturday's match against strugglers Colchester followed by back-to-back games against pacesetters MK Dons and Leicester.

"We have four massive games now," Richardson added.

"We have to keep together. We can't do anything about the past. We have to look forward now and this is a big month."

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