Noel Whelan has warned Leeds United they must not play with fear as they seek to emerge from their mini slump, as if they do so he cannot see where the next win will come from for the Whites.
Thomas Christiansen's side have now lost four of their last five Championship games, the latest being a 1-0 home defeat by Reading on Saturday, as alarm bells start ringing at Elland Road.
The head coach even took the step of dropping under-fire goalkeeper Felix Wiedwald, bringing in Andy Lonergan, but Leeds still lost.
It was put to Whelan on BBC Radio Leeds that the Whites could well be fearful of making mistakes now, as they try to emerge from the poor run.
But the former Leeds forward believes the Whites must make sure no fear creeps into their game, as he thinks it would make securing wins far harder.
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"What are they going to be like against Bristol City? Because this is now three on the bounce", he said, looking ahead to Leeds' next match.
"Are they not going to bring the quality to that game because they are a little bit scared of making a pass?
"You've got to make the pass. You've got to keep trying them.
"It's only going to get harder. You've got to man up and be strong enough mentally to take a game to a team and win a game of football.
"I can't see where the next win is going to come from if that's the case [that they are scared of making mistakes]."
Leeds' next opponents, Bristol City, are unbeaten in their last 12 games in all competitions, winning six of those contests.
The Robins, who welcome Leeds to Ashton Gate next weekend, have knocked Premier League sides Watford and Stoke City out of the EFL Cup.
