Wolves players back boss Stale Solbakken

Captain Karl Henry and defender Roger Johnson spoke out to say they are behind the manager after reports claiming players rounded on Solbakken after the Peterborough game on Boxing Day.

It's understood players have again debated with the manager in the wake of the recent woeful performances.

But, in a public show of unity, the current skipper and former captain have come out in support of the under-pressure Solbakken.

Henry said: "The last three performances haven't been good enough and as players we have to take responsibility for that.

"We have let ourselves and the fans down with the displays over Christmas."

Kevin Foley claimed after the Ipswich defeat that there was a lack of effort from the players, but Solbakken and now Henry insist that is not the case.

Henry said: "It's certainly not down to a lack of effort. We have a squad giving their all and are fully behind the manager and what he's trying to do to take the club in a new direction.

"Everyone is still in it together from manager to backroom staff and players and that's the only way we will get back to form."

Johnson admitted the manager's future is in the players' hands.

He said: "We are all behind the gaffer and know what he wants from us. But he can only do so much – when we cross the white line we have to perform.

"We've done that in many games this season but collectively, in the last three, we haven't been good enough.

"We should have used the Christmas period to push on after a few good results but instead it's gone the other way.

"Everyone knows it hasn't been good enough and now it's up to us to put it right.

"The manager takes a lot of the flak publicly but, on the pitch, it's up to us to get the right results and that starts against Luton on Saturday."

Henry believes Wolves could still be suffering from the effects of relegation eight months ago.

He said: "Maybe the hangover after relegation has affected us more than we thought. But it's no good making excuses."