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Woody
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 Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 5:39 pm Post subject: Latest rant |
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Under-fire Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell has reopened old wounds by blaming his side's dreadful run of form on the ill-fated Peter Ridsdale era.
Blackwell's position became ever more perilous after last night's morale-sapping 3-0 home defeat by resurgent Sunderland.
It was Leeds' third straight home loss and condemned them to their lowest league position since August 31, 1985 to leave fans again calling for Blackwell's head.
Yet the Leeds boss, who took the helm following the club's relegation from the Premiership in 2004, insists his hands are tied.
Although Ken Bates' takeover in January 2005 transformed the club's financial health, there is little or no money available to fund the loan signings which Blackwell desperately needs to offset his side's injury list.
"The squad is paper thin and we've been trying to bring in loan signings but the chairman says the finances at the moment are quite tight," said Blackwell.
"Two years ago, we didn't have a team to start with and we haven't been afforded the finances to develop the club as I would like it to.
"As a manager, it frustrates me - and it's very difficult to accept - but you have to.
"This isn't about Kevin Blackwell; this is about the safety of Leeds United Football Club.
"That's what I did when I came in, was to save the club.
"But we haven't been able to strengthen in the areas that we knew we needed to because we have a financial burden at the football club which needs to be addressed."
The "financial burden" Blackwell refers to is the debt which Leeds became saddled with following the overspending which characterised Ridsdale's tenure and drove the club to the brink of liquidation.
Blackwell revealed last week the debt could be reduced from £121million to as little as £4million within a year.
In the meantime, though, he is being forced to work on a shoestring budget after last season's play-off final defeat against Watford.
Blackwell spent little money during the summer and saw striker Rob Hulse sold to Sheffield United for £2million.
Leeds supporters are showing little sympathy for their manager's plight as chants of 'Blackwell, time to go' again rang out around Elland Road for the second time in the space of four days.
However, Blackwell insisted he is going nowhere.
He said: "I'm going to keep on doing my job and I've already turned this club around from nothing.
"If you look where we've come from, with no players, then I think I can turn this around - no problem.
"I think the fans are fed up with what has happened at Leeds. They can see a situation at Sunderland, where someone comes along and pumps millions into the club - and they think 'why can't it be us?'
"They've had four or five years of being kicked where it hurts and they've seen their best players being sold.
"I think the fans need to know the real truth about this football club - but I don't think it will come out in the short term.
"I think in the long term people will realise what a good job has been done at this football club."
In stark contrast to Blackwell, Sunderland boss Roy Keane has been afforded the funds which allowed him to bring in several new players.
The Irishman, who is threatening to turn a team of losers into serious promotion contenders, said: "I spoke during the last few weeks about character, spirit and desire of the players - but on top of that you need good players with talent.
"They showed that against Leeds, and I'm proud of them. The new players have helped, but I'd also like to give credit to the ones who were already here."
Who will he blame next????????
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| Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 6:40 pm Post subject: |
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Perhaps he should apply for a position in the Labour party.  _________________ 
"Be who you are and say what you feel,
because those who mind don't matter,
and those who matter don't mind."
Dr. Seuss |
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Lufc_danny
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