Post by Taxigirl on Mar 17, 2006 9:48:44 GMT
www.leedsunited.com
United boss Kevin Blackwell believes his side are flourishing because they have been given time to the settle and there's been the minimum of tinkering.
Whilst some Championship managers took advantage of the January transfer window to bolster their squads for the end of season run in, the only new face in the Leeds squad was winger Joel Griffiths whilst Eirik Bakke returned from his loan spell with Aston Villa.
The Whites have lost just one game since the start of the new year and Blackwell insists that keeping faith with the players that have helped United challenge for promotion has been a key factor in that success.
"It's the first time we've had a settled squad in three years and it's great to have that," said Blackwell,
"I didn't want a massive transfer of players when the transfer window was open because too many players coming in at one time can unsettle the dressing room and the pattern and shape of your team.
"I have had enough of that from last season and that's why I just concentrated on nailing down Liam Miller until the end of the season, and of course Joel Griffiths.
"It's great to know everybody's first names in training!"
Last season Leeds used nearly 40 players to fulfil their league and cup commitments as they sought to consolidate their place in the division. This year that number has been reduced to just 24 so far, and with last year's experience in mind, Blackwell was wary that too many changes to his side could have presented more problems than benefits.
"You have got to be very careful sometimes not to let down the players that actually got you where you are right now. I feel these players will get me to where I want to be and that's why I have every faith in them and I will back them to the hilt.
"If there is to be any glory here then these are the lads that should get it because they've deserved it."
Leeds have also taken away the pressure of playing for a new contract off his players, having resolved any of those issues at the start of the season.
"We only have Danny Pugh coming up for renegotiation at the moment and we are still talking to him," added Blackwell.
"Part of the reason was we wanted to settle everybody down and we know everyone is here for two or three years now."
Although in no rush to do so, Blackwell is still looking at the possibility of bringing in another striker on loan but will not rush to do so.
"Any loan signings will be to make sure I have a squad strong enough to get us through the play-offs if need be.
"If there was any chance of Richard Cresswell being fit I wouldn't even go down that route but it isn't going to happen so I have got to have someone in mind, but it has to be someone who can do the job and not just fill out a team sheet."
United boss Kevin Blackwell believes his side are flourishing because they have been given time to the settle and there's been the minimum of tinkering.
Whilst some Championship managers took advantage of the January transfer window to bolster their squads for the end of season run in, the only new face in the Leeds squad was winger Joel Griffiths whilst Eirik Bakke returned from his loan spell with Aston Villa.
The Whites have lost just one game since the start of the new year and Blackwell insists that keeping faith with the players that have helped United challenge for promotion has been a key factor in that success.
"It's the first time we've had a settled squad in three years and it's great to have that," said Blackwell,
"I didn't want a massive transfer of players when the transfer window was open because too many players coming in at one time can unsettle the dressing room and the pattern and shape of your team.
"I have had enough of that from last season and that's why I just concentrated on nailing down Liam Miller until the end of the season, and of course Joel Griffiths.
"It's great to know everybody's first names in training!"
Last season Leeds used nearly 40 players to fulfil their league and cup commitments as they sought to consolidate their place in the division. This year that number has been reduced to just 24 so far, and with last year's experience in mind, Blackwell was wary that too many changes to his side could have presented more problems than benefits.
"You have got to be very careful sometimes not to let down the players that actually got you where you are right now. I feel these players will get me to where I want to be and that's why I have every faith in them and I will back them to the hilt.
"If there is to be any glory here then these are the lads that should get it because they've deserved it."
Leeds have also taken away the pressure of playing for a new contract off his players, having resolved any of those issues at the start of the season.
"We only have Danny Pugh coming up for renegotiation at the moment and we are still talking to him," added Blackwell.
"Part of the reason was we wanted to settle everybody down and we know everyone is here for two or three years now."
Although in no rush to do so, Blackwell is still looking at the possibility of bringing in another striker on loan but will not rush to do so.
"Any loan signings will be to make sure I have a squad strong enough to get us through the play-offs if need be.
"If there was any chance of Richard Cresswell being fit I wouldn't even go down that route but it isn't going to happen so I have got to have someone in mind, but it has to be someone who can do the job and not just fill out a team sheet."