Micky Adams has warned his Leicester squad they are playing not only for their own futures but for those of the rest of the Filbert Street staff too.
The former Albion manager accepts the bottom-placed club will have to make cutbacks in all departments if they are relegated - and that would affect virtually every department at the club.
He feels it is time for "leaders and winners" to step forward after a disastrous 2001 which has seen them collect only seven wins and 28 points from 37 games in the calendar year.
But he is confident the Foxes will have the pride to show a positive response at the Reebok Stadium after being on the receiving end of a verbal lashing from boss Dave Bassett following Wednesday's defeat at Ipswich.
Adams said: "What the players have to realise is that they are not only playing for their futures but they are also playing with other people's lives as well.
"Leicester City employ something like 150 to 200 people, and the squad have a responsibility to those people from administrative staff through to the tea ladies - the whole lot.
"I am sure if we get relegated the club would have to cut its cloth accordingly, and it hurts me to think about that."
He added: "The statistics for the past 12 months show that if the Premier League had been played over a calendar year we would have been relegated. Those are the facts. That's what we are fighting against.
"The players we've got haven't produced the goods. There is going to have to be a massive improvement, and what we need is winners and leaders in our camp.
"We need the leaders to lead, the followers to follow and if we have more leaders than followers then we have a chance.
"But if we are all looking at each other expecting someone else to take the lead then we have no chance.
"You are looking at your senior pros and internationals who have been there, seen it and done it, who have the pride and passion for the club.
"We want a positive response after Ipswich, and if I was a player still then I would be wanting to respond to some of the things said in the dressing room to show I am not worthy of those comments."
Adams admitted: "It was a real kick in the teeth at Ipswich, and we have to respond at Bolton."
Meanwhile, Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini has revealed a burning sense of injustice at defeat against Arsenal is at the heart of his determination to make amends against leaders Newcastle today.
Cudicini was "mad" that referee Graham Barber failed to spot a foul which he believes Kanu committed on him at the corner from which Sol Campbell equalised at Highbury on Boxing Day.
Arsenal went on to clinch a winner through Sylvain Wiltord - the first time in 11 starts this season that the Chelsea keeper had conceded two goals in a game.
The Italian is still angry at the way in which three points slipped through their grasp after seizing a half-time lead at Highbury.
"I think we deserved at least one point. I was fouled for Arsenal's first goal," Cudicini, said.
"Kanu made a block on me and I didn't see the ball. I just jumped to try to find it but I couldn't see it.
"I was really upset as I'm sure that if they hadn't scored in the first 10 or 15 minutes of the second-half, we would have won three points for sure.
"It was the right time for us to win against Arsenal at Highbury. It really made me mad all night."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article