Leeds United 1 - 3 Newcastle United

	Keane (right) fires the ball home (LaurenceGriffiths/Allsport)

Despite taking the lead through Robbie Keane after 112 seconds, they slumped to a defeat which now leaves the FA Cup, or an unlikely Champions League success, as the only routes to glory in a season that promised so much.

'Last season we were a free-flowing, exciting side and the players were able to express themselves,' he said. 'Now it's all about the simple way, from A to B, because the players are afraid of making mistakes.

'When we lost the ball during matches last season, we worked hard to get it back. Now the fear factor has crept into our game. I know I still have a group of people who are good enough but they all seem to be off form at the same time.

'When you're dealing with young people and things go against them, confidence can drift away very quickly. They're being asked questions which they're struggling to find the answers to.'

O'Leary also held a post-match meeting with skipper Lucas Radebe, his lawyer Gary Blumberg and representatives from South Africa.

Radebe has been embroiled in a club v country row this week, with the 31-year-old having been selected for the squad for next Saturday's World Cup qualifier with Burkina Faso.

The match clashes with Leeds' FA Cup fourth-round tie at home to Liverpool, a game in which O'Leary believes Radebe must be involved.

The argument escalated to such an extent that on Friday night, Blumberg claimed Radebe would quit international football after playing in what would be his final game for South Africa next weekend.

O'Leary revealed: 'With regard to the Lucas Radebe situation it's his decision and to be honest, I don't know what it is. The club and myself think that being captain of this team, and with vital games coming up, he is needed here.'

As if those problems are not enough, O'Leary revealed that Rio Ferdinand - the club's world record defensive signing at £18million - missed the game after damaging a tendon behind his knee in unusual circumstances.

'He was watching TV on Monday night with his feet up on a coffee table but when he got up, he felt a pain behind his knee and unfortunately he has damaged the tendon,' said O'Leary.

'It's not too serious and we are hoping he will be available for the game with Liverpool, and possibly Wednesday's League match at Aston Villa.'

Leeds had been handed the perfect launch pad to avenge their 2-1 Boxing Day defeat at St James' Park, described by O'Leary in his programme notes as 'the most disappointing performance since I took over as manager'.

Keane benefited from a fortunate run of the ball to thump it past his Republic of Ireland team-mate Shay Given, recalled in goal for Newcastle after Steve Harper stubbed a toe training in the morning.

But Given, whose recent first-team absence prompted an unsuccessful transfer request, had his day, standing up to the best Leeds could muster and refusing to give way.

He was aided by some resolute defending, with Alain Goma and Aaron Hughes recovering from their early jitters to subdue both Mark Viduka and, in the end, Keane.

When that was not enough, Given made a sound case for leaving his rival Harper to ponder when he might pull on the senior jersey again.

Given's save from Bowyer in the 25th minute was out of the top drawer, a spectacular dive to his right to push the midfielder's fiercely-struck shot away for a corner.

Newcastle had responded to their early setback by equalising within two minutes. Kevin Gallacher's hooked cross hit Danny Mills on the hand and referee Alan Wiley had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.

Nolberto Solano clinically sent Paul Robinson the wrong way and the early Leeds elation was silenced.

Clarence Acuna lifted the ball over theheadof theadvancingRobinsonand into thenettoput thevisitorsaheadand although Leeds poured forward after the break, Solano teed up Shola Ameobi for Newcastle's late third.