Post by Taxigirl on Jul 20, 2005 14:11:13 GMT
www.leedsunited.com
The Whites boss has confirmed that he is still actively looking to add at one more signing to complete his squad, and even then would be able to make further additions if needed thanks to the financial backing Chairman Ken Bates has been able to provide.
Rob Hulse was the first player to sign after a successful loan spell last season, he was followed by England under-21 international Dan Harding, USA international Eddie Lewis, ex-England winger Steve Stone, Birmingham City keeper Ian Bennett and this week snapped up Robbie Blake for an initial £800,000.
He's been more than happy with his success in the transfer market this summer.
"It was a little quiet on the transfer front earlier in the summer but we have steadily been bringing in players and I have always said we will take our time to make sure we get the right ones," said Blackwell.
"I think most people would agree they are decent signings. I am trying to get players who I know have a pedigree in this division and have been at the top end of this division and Robbie Blake is one that fits that bill perfectly, Steve Stone too and so on.
"I could never have even dreamt of speaking to people like Rob Hulse, Robbie Blake, Steve Stone and Dan Harding last season. Even the trialists we had at the club were of a much higher standard than last summer. So we are positively much further ahead that I thought we would be so soon into the turnaround of the football club and a lot of that is down to the Chairman.
"But I am still looking for more players. If somebody popped up who I felt would be a positive move for the club then we will be able to pursue it."
Blackwell is enjoying being able to manage the club without having to "put out fires" anymore, having taken on the job last year at a time when the club was imploding financially and having to sell to ensure it survived.
With the club now stable again, money is once more being invested in the team and that's given the boss reason to smile.
"The Chairman knew his first six months at the club was to evaluate and see where he could save money, then see what funds could be released to build the squad.
"He is a football man and he knows that having the best facilities means nothing when you haven't got the best team on the park. His astute managementship of the finances has allowed some money to become available, and when it has, he's spent it on team building."
There's much speculation that Blackwell's next signing will be a centre-half, but he was not committing to anything.
"I have a position in mind that I am looking to strengthen and it's not necessarily in central defence.
"With the strikers we have now, if we can score more goals it will be easier to keep the games close. There were many games last year when we should have finished games off, but we didn't and it put extra pressure on the back lads.
"What I don't want to be doing is putting players out of position this season, which is something that happened to us last season. I want people in their natural positions."
* The tribunal to decide on the fee for Dan Harding following the defender's move from Brighton to Leeds, will be heard by the Football League Appeals Committee on 28th July.
The Whites boss has confirmed that he is still actively looking to add at one more signing to complete his squad, and even then would be able to make further additions if needed thanks to the financial backing Chairman Ken Bates has been able to provide.
Rob Hulse was the first player to sign after a successful loan spell last season, he was followed by England under-21 international Dan Harding, USA international Eddie Lewis, ex-England winger Steve Stone, Birmingham City keeper Ian Bennett and this week snapped up Robbie Blake for an initial £800,000.
He's been more than happy with his success in the transfer market this summer.
"It was a little quiet on the transfer front earlier in the summer but we have steadily been bringing in players and I have always said we will take our time to make sure we get the right ones," said Blackwell.
"I think most people would agree they are decent signings. I am trying to get players who I know have a pedigree in this division and have been at the top end of this division and Robbie Blake is one that fits that bill perfectly, Steve Stone too and so on.
"I could never have even dreamt of speaking to people like Rob Hulse, Robbie Blake, Steve Stone and Dan Harding last season. Even the trialists we had at the club were of a much higher standard than last summer. So we are positively much further ahead that I thought we would be so soon into the turnaround of the football club and a lot of that is down to the Chairman.
"But I am still looking for more players. If somebody popped up who I felt would be a positive move for the club then we will be able to pursue it."
Blackwell is enjoying being able to manage the club without having to "put out fires" anymore, having taken on the job last year at a time when the club was imploding financially and having to sell to ensure it survived.
With the club now stable again, money is once more being invested in the team and that's given the boss reason to smile.
"The Chairman knew his first six months at the club was to evaluate and see where he could save money, then see what funds could be released to build the squad.
"He is a football man and he knows that having the best facilities means nothing when you haven't got the best team on the park. His astute managementship of the finances has allowed some money to become available, and when it has, he's spent it on team building."
There's much speculation that Blackwell's next signing will be a centre-half, but he was not committing to anything.
"I have a position in mind that I am looking to strengthen and it's not necessarily in central defence.
"With the strikers we have now, if we can score more goals it will be easier to keep the games close. There were many games last year when we should have finished games off, but we didn't and it put extra pressure on the back lads.
"What I don't want to be doing is putting players out of position this season, which is something that happened to us last season. I want people in their natural positions."
* The tribunal to decide on the fee for Dan Harding following the defender's move from Brighton to Leeds, will be heard by the Football League Appeals Committee on 28th July.