Contract challenge for Douglas

Contract challenge for Douglas

Published Nov. 20, 2012 7:15 a.m. ET

Paris Saint-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti says the big-spending Ligue 1 club are "in a crisis" after Saturday's defeat to Rennes, which saw them fall to third in the overall standings.

Ancelotti blasted his side for their poor performance as Rennes punished them at the Parc des Princes.

Rennes, who had been reduced to nine men, pulled off a huge shock when Romain Alessandrini scored a fantastic volley in the 13th minute and did not crumble when goalkeeper Benoit Costil was sent off after Nene's leveller.

Julien Feret scored Rennes' winner from a free-kick as the Breton side held PSG back even after Jean Makoun's second-half dismissal.

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Ancelotti knows his side quickly need to raise their game ahead of Wednesday night's Champions League clash away to Dynamo Kiev.

"It is unbelievable. Our attitude out there was not good," Ancelotti told the official Ligue 1 website.

"We have just lost two games at home and that is unacceptable for a team that wants to win the league. We are yet playing as a team and we are going through a bad spell.

"We have to change things and I am going to change things. We need to be more concentrated, more determined and harder. It is not right.

"We need speed and intensity. I am not scared to say it; we are in a crisis.

"We have to emerge from it quickly. If we show character and professionalism we will pull through."

Douglas was a star performer in United's 3-3 draw with Kilmarnock on Friday, setting up Jon Daly for a last-gasp equaliser.

The 23-year-old, who joined from the Terrors from Queen's Park two years ago, struggled earlier in the season as he dealt with a family bereavement.

But his display against Kilmarnock has earned him the praise of his manager, who has now challenged him to consistently showcase his qualities.

"Barry was excellent against Kilmarnock. It's great to see him back as he's had a tough start to the season for personal reasons when his uncle died," Houston told the Daily Record. "But I've always said he's got the capabilities to play in our first team. He hasn't shown it an awful lot as he made mistakes against Kilmarnock earlier in the season.

"But the best way to rectify that is to show what a good player he can be and I thought on Friday he did just that.

"His use of the ball was superb and that's something he also showed against Celtic recently. Now he can hopefully string a run of games together and show the kind of consistency to make me give him a new contract."

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