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By Dean Ritchie
July 01, 2009

South Sydney coach Jason Taylor and senior management are facing the prospect of a player revolt, with team members incensed that they are "being treated like kids".

The proud club is under threat of derailing, with two wins out of the past 10 matches and Taylor under enormous pressure to change the side's flagging fortunes.

The Daily Telegraph has reported that players have accused management of treating them like children because they are banned from drinking on away games and forced to submit to random breath tests at training.

Players are also fuming about the club's decision to sack popular assistant coach Mark Ellison for next season.

Some Rabbitohs sponsors have threatened to walk away unless results improve dramatically.

One well-placed source admitted Taylor was under the pump, although the coach does have a solid relationship with Souths co-owner Russell Crowe.

"The players aren't responding. I'm not sure what's going on," the source said.

Ellison, a former Rabbitohs backrower, coached many Souths players as kids and on Tuesday night said he was unaware of any player unrest.

But a source close to the players said: "It's nearly a revolt. They are really angry Mark won't be there next season."

Taylor, off contract at the end of next season, was remaining calm Tuesday, denying he was under pressure despite Monday night's loss to Newcastle and talk of player unrest.

"I'm not feeling any pressure," he said.

"We're not far away. We've got some young blokes in key positions.

"We are working hard to get up there with the better clubs and in my opinion we are heading in the right direction.

"As a club off the field we are going from strength to strength and we are improving on it as well. You just have to keep at it in this game."

Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens, Sydney Roosters' Brad Fittler and Brisbane Broncos' Ivan Henjak are also under intense scrutiny.

Ellison would not reveal why he was sacked and was relucant to comment last night.

"I'm a South Sydney man. That's how I want it to be. In my time left here, I just want to help Souths get back and play in the finals," Ellison said.

"I think 'JT' is going well."

Souths Junior officials are also upset that Ellison will be removed from the club's coaching staff.

Sportingbet Tuesday night installed Fittler as $1.90 favourite to be first coach sacked this year with Taylor at $5.50 and Sheens at $7.50.

Sheens said everyone at Wests Tigers was feeling the pinch.

"Everyone is feeling under pressure. You wouldn't be human if you didn't," he said.

Ivan Cleary has another year at the Warriors but admitted: "There is rarely a moment we're you're not under pressure."

Roosters chief executive Steve Noyce said his club was not in a rush to appoint a coach next season.

"The more games we win, the better Freddy's prospects are of staying at the club," he said.

"We will keep monitoring it and working together."