Fuming ... South Sydney legend Mario Fenech. Photograph: Gregg Porteous / The Daily Telegraph

With the club under immense pressure after their recent performances, the strong words from Fenech, one of Souths' greatest players, hit home.

"Mario is a passionate supporter of Souths and we have a lot of them, that is why we have survived for so long," Richardson said. "When he played for Souths he put his body on the line every week and he has a right to expect that from the team as well.

"I have no qualms about Mario saying what he has said, he is probably expressing the view of a lot of Souths fans at the moment."

The straight-talking Richardson made no attempt to sugar-coat the current situation, which sees the club sitting 11th on the ladder and five competition points outside of the top eight.

"We are aware they are under-performing and we have to lift it, it's as simple as that," he said. "The coach knows it and I know it, we have to be better."

Richardson said the club had never expected to find themselves in their current situation and the players have to show more passion in games.

"We have put a lot of good things in place," he said. "Off the field we are strong in our membership, strong in our corporate and strong in everything else. But the reality is you have to be strong on the field."

He said the club had put together a good roster and Souths was no longer the "transit lounge" where players go just for the big money. They have international and State of Origin players in their ranks.

"There is an expectation our roster should be doing better. And they should be," Richardson said.

"There is no point in hiding from that. Certainly I don't and I know JT (Taylor) doesn't."

And Richardson offered some positive words to the club's loyal supporters. "The real key, though, is getting them to turn it around," he said.

"That is what we are working towards doing and we will turn it around."