Birmingham defender Franck Queudrue has hit back at co-owner David Sullivan's "horrendous" criticism of his performances this year and insists he did not play enough to be judged so harshly.
Sullivan, speaking after Blues' relegation from the Barclays Premier League was confirmed on Sunday, claimed the "pile of rubbish" signed by former manager Steve Bruce last summer was the main reason behind City's demise.
Queudrue was singled out as an example of one of the new boys who failed to meet expectations following his £2million switch from Fulham last August.
But the Frenchman has wasted little time in responding and insists he was not selected frequently enough by Bruce's replacement Alex McLeish for a fair assessment to be made.
"It's horrendous. Obviously I cannot stay in a club where the chairman makes comments like that about the players," Queudrue, who made just 14 league starts this term, told talkSPORT.
"He (Sullivan) should have pointed the finger at the players who have played most of the season.
"I don't like to say that because I'm a team player. I won't say anything bad about a player through the radio."
He added: "If he wants me to respect him then he has to respect me first, before he makes a comment like that.
"If he wanted to make those comments then he could have come to the training ground this morning to say goodbye to the lads and say what he thought went wrong this season and what his thoughts were for next season."
Queudrue is adamant that his professionalism during Blues' difficult campaign - which saw Bruce's departure and a failed and disruptive takeover bid from Carson Yeung - could not be called into question.
He argued: "I didn't get enough games. He says he can name a list [of rubbish players]. So I want to see the list and who's on there. I didn't play so I don't know how to take that.
"I always respect the manager's decision even if sometimes I felt I should have played.
"I stayed fit, I played all the reserve games that I could - I have nothing to worry about when it comes to my professionalism.
"You can ask anyone who comes to see us train or you can ask the players and they will tell you the truth. I cannot accept that criticism from someone I have not seen all year."
Despite Sullivan's broadside, Queudrue does not see his exit from St Andrews as inevitable.
He added: "If he thinks my wages are too big and he wants to push me out of the club then we can find an agreement to sell me.
"I love this club, I love the area and the fans have been great despite the results.
"If I'm still here next season then I'll give 100 per cent like I always do."
