NEIL Redfearn has admitted these are “difficult times” at Leeds but he has stressed the importance of getting a result at home to Birmingham on Saturday.

The head coach saw his captain Stephen Warnock depart for Derby today as president Massimo Cellino’s appeal against being disqualified from owning the club was being heard in London.

After Cellino had announced earlier this week that Leeds would not be re-signing former favourite Luciano Becchio, the mood amongst United supporters has grown increasingly despondent.

Redfearn, whose side lie just one place above the relegation zone, believes a positive result against in-form Birmingham can help lift the mood.

He said: “The fans have been different class.

“This is their football club and it will be for years and years and years.

“I think they’ve shown a great loyalty to the club and it’s tough at the moment - it’s difficult for everybody concerned.

“But the fact is they have stuck with us and got behind the lads.

“They’ve been frustrated at times and naturally so - it’s a given right. But the bottom line is that we are trying to get it right.

“It’s difficult at the moment as regards the circumstances but I know what they want, I know what they are after and I know what pleases them.

“It’s trying to get that across and get that consistency so that we can play how we want to play and give the supporters what they need but pick results up as well.”

Leeds picked up a useful point at Bolton last weekend and they now face two home matches within the space of four days.

Saturday's visit of Birmingham is followed by another home clash against high-flying Bournemouth.

Redfearn said of the Birmingham clash: “I think what’s important for us is that the performance has got to give them something to cheer about and we’ve got to warm them up.

“We’ve got to be a threat, we’ve got to show that we can score goals, we’ve got to defend well and we’ve got to compete.

“The one thing that is a given, that is definitely picked up on, is that these supporters like to associate themselves with sides that compete and battle and fight for the shirt. We’ve got to give them that on Saturday.”