King fears relegation

Harry Redknapp blasted some of the players for what he feels is a lack of the stomach necessary in a relegation dogfight after watching them slump to a stoppage-time 1-0 defeat at Wigan - a fifth Barclays Premier League match without a victory.

"We have to improve, otherwise we will go down. It is simple," declared the centre-half. We need people to stand up and fight for each other, and be counted as men and as players."

He added: "That has not been happening enough, which is why we find ourselves in this position."

King, quoted in the London Evening Standard, added: "We are not playing well away from home, but when that happens, you have to work hard and maintain your focus.

"We are conceding late goals because of a lack of concentration. We are switching off, and that sums us up at the moment."

Redknapp - who left £15million man David Bentley on the bench on Sunday - has made it clear he feels the squad inherited from Juande Ramos lacks strength in depth.

While he has more money to spend in the transfer window, the former Portsmouth manager is not certain wheeling and dealing is the answer.

"The club have paid a lot of money for these players because they are supposed to be quality players but they need to show that on the pitch," he said. "We have some players in there who need to do a lot better than they are at the moment."

Asked if he had plans to bring in replacements, Redknapp replied: "I haven't got anyone in mind. It is pretty quiet really. Where do you find good players this time of year? It is hard."