Stand-in captain Richard Naylor admits that he was at the lowest point of his career after Leeds United’s 2-0 defeat at Hereford this week.

But the Leeds-born former Ipswich Town defender insists that, although there are problems at the club that remain to be sorted out, promotion can still be achieved – and he is targeting successive home wins against Cheltenham on Saturday and Scunthorpe seven days later.

Defeats at Huddersfield and Hereford have left Leeds four points behind a play-off place, with disillusioned supporters giving vent to their feelings after the Hereford game.

Naylor, who grew up as a Leeds fan, accepts that supporters have every right to make their feelings known.

“The fans can see what needs improving. We understand and accept the criticism and all we can do is work hard to turn the corner,” he said.

“Since I have been here there have been some decent, indifferent and poor performances, but Hereford was the worst I’ve been involved in.

“Coming home on the team bus I was more down than at any time in my career. Maybe that’s because I am a Leeds fan as well as a Leeds player, so I feel it a bit more.

“As stand-in captain, I have to be mentally tough and try to get the best out of the lads. You have to stick your chest out and do your best.

“We had a big meeting after the Hereford game but now we have drawn a line in the sand and are concentrating on Saturday’s game.”

Naylor confessed: “There are things wrong here that can’t be addressed overnight. They are not massive problems but they need sorting out.

“We must remember we are only a few points off the play-offs with a lot of games left.”

Experienced midfielder Jonathan Douglas returns after suspension but Jermaine Beckford is still banned, while defenders Frazer Richardson, Andrew Hughes and Alan Sheehan remain on the injured list.