BERNIE SLAVEN has launched a scathing attack on Middlesbrough's star players, accusing them of picking up their wages under false pretences.

Former Boro goal hero Slaven singled out Croatian striker Alen Boksic, who is claimed to be being paid £63,000-a-week, and French World Cup-winning midfielder Christian Karembeu, another of the Teessiders' top earners.

Slaven also urged under-pressure manager Bryan Robson to consider whether he is still the man for the job at the Riverside Stadium.

Boro crashed to their seventh consecutive defeat when they went down 3-0 in abject fashion at home to Leicester last Saturday.

Robson yesterday conceded that his future is in the balance ahead of this weekend's crunch visit of fellow basement boys Bradford.

But Slaven believes Robson is being let down by key players who he says have already given up the fight. Speaking on Century Radio, Slaven said: "Some players have thrown the towel in.

"I look at it that some are getting their money under false pretences. You look to big names like Alen Boksic and Christian Karembeu for inspiration, but it didn't happen against Leicester.

"Saturday was absolutely disgusting. When Bryan Robson got home on Saturday night, I hope he asked himself some serious questions like: 'Am I the right man for the job and can I turn things round? And are the players going to do it for me'?''

Slaven, who works for the club's cable channel, Boro TV, added: "If we don't win against Bradford, something has got to give because, after that, West Ham and Sunderland away are very hard games.''

Robson still enjoys the support of chairman Steve Gibson, but knows he is running out of time to halt Boro's slide.

"Steve is letting me get on with things at the moment,'' he said. ''He is giving me his 100 per cent backing. But that can't go on for too much longer. Myself and the players have to do something about the situation we are in and start picking up points.

"We feel we are better than where we are at the moment, but after 14 games, the league table doesn't lie and we're there because people are making far too many mistakes on the pitch.

"Everyone says this weekend's game is the biggest in my managerial career, but I disagree with that. The biggest game for me was when we drew and were relegated at Leeds.

"There is still a lot of football to be played this season, but we have to get it right very quickly and we can't afford any slip-ups against Bradford. Even if we win that one, the fight still goes on.''

Robson held the latest in a series of clear-the-air meetings with his players at Boro's Rockliffe Park training base on Monday in a bid to get to the root of their problems.

The Boro boss, who fronted the hour-long forum, yesterday stressed: "The players have to realise they are the ones who are making mistakes. It doesn't matter about tactics or formations. If people are making bad individual errors you are going to lose matches.

"They're not just letting me down, they're letting the club and themselves down.'