LEEDS United’s 6-0 defeat by Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday was branded a “public humiliation” by manager Brian McDermott.

The fourth straight defeat dented United’s Sky Bet Championship play-off hopes and came hot on the heels of a 2-0 FA Cup defeat at Rochdale.

McDermott had said the cup exit was the low point in his managerial career, but this defeat plunged the former Reading chief deeper into despair.

He called all his players in yesterday for a clear-the-air meeting.

When asked if he could take any positives from his side’s display, McDermott said: “Are you serious?

“After that, in a local derby, it’s public humiliation as far as I’m concerned.

“I’ll go back to basics with this team to do what ever we’ve got to do as a group.

“That was just unbelievable. It doesn’t matter about being lower than the Rochdale game, that’s just humiliating for all of us.

“I don’t distance myself from the players because I’m part of the group.

“We’ve had a good run to get to 35 points, but we’re having a poor time now.

“It’s a terrible time for Leeds United, the supporters and us.”

McDermott added that he was considering appealing against Matt Smith’s dismissal by referee Lee Probert.

Reda Johnson and Atdhe Nuhiu put Wednesday in control with first-half goals, and after Leeds substitute Smith was sent off for his aerial challenge on Johnson seconds into the second half the floodgates opened at Hillsborough.

Connor Wickham slammed home the third, Chris Maguire followed up with a deflected free-kick and substitute Caolan Lavery fired a superb late double to seal Wednesday’s biggest-ever win against their White Rose rivals.