Post by Taxigirl on Jul 28, 2005 8:47:40 GMT
www.leedsunited.com
Kevin Blackwell has sent out a warning to his side that no-one should take their place in the first team for granted with competition in the squad growing stronger every day.
Blackwell was reflecting on his options after watching Leeds in their 1-1 draw with Grimsby Town, in which he rested a number of key players such as skipper Paul Butler, Sean Gregan, Gary Kelly, Eirik Bakke and Dan Harding.
The players who did come in showed enough of themselves in the game, and in the previous pre-season fixtures for Blackwell to declare that he now has competition for places in his squad like he never has before.
The Whites boss has more or less formulated his team for the opening game against Millwall but a few players gave him food for thought on Tuesday evening.
"I thought it was a good work out and at times we played some great stuff," said Blackwell.
"We really should have buried our chances and finished them off early on but when you look at the side we put out, it is exciting to think that I still have another eleven players back home.
"Frazer Richardson has put Gary Kelly under pressure, Stephen Crainey has put Dan Harding under pressure, Killa has put the other two centre-halves under pressure, Bennett has put Sullivan under pressure, Jermaine Wright has put Steve Stone under pressure and Michael Ricketts is working very hard.
"In midfield Gylfi Einarsson did a strong job and he showed he has a role to play at the club and Shaun Derry looked good too, particularly in the first half and we still have the likes of Eirik Bakke to come.
"And there's Robbie Blake who is getting fitter with every game and whose movement was great tonight. When he gets fit it's going to be exciting.
"Add all that together and we've got competition that I've never had before at this club. We have got to have a solid squad and from that respect things are looking so much better than they did last season."
Former Sunderland striker Michael Reddy gave Grimsby the lead but a superb goal from Frazer Richardson drew United level to the delight of almost 1,500 travelling fans.
"It was great build up play and it was reminiscent of his goal against Derby on the opening day of last season." added Blackwell.
Kevin Blackwell has sent out a warning to his side that no-one should take their place in the first team for granted with competition in the squad growing stronger every day.
Blackwell was reflecting on his options after watching Leeds in their 1-1 draw with Grimsby Town, in which he rested a number of key players such as skipper Paul Butler, Sean Gregan, Gary Kelly, Eirik Bakke and Dan Harding.
The players who did come in showed enough of themselves in the game, and in the previous pre-season fixtures for Blackwell to declare that he now has competition for places in his squad like he never has before.
The Whites boss has more or less formulated his team for the opening game against Millwall but a few players gave him food for thought on Tuesday evening.
"I thought it was a good work out and at times we played some great stuff," said Blackwell.
"We really should have buried our chances and finished them off early on but when you look at the side we put out, it is exciting to think that I still have another eleven players back home.
"Frazer Richardson has put Gary Kelly under pressure, Stephen Crainey has put Dan Harding under pressure, Killa has put the other two centre-halves under pressure, Bennett has put Sullivan under pressure, Jermaine Wright has put Steve Stone under pressure and Michael Ricketts is working very hard.
"In midfield Gylfi Einarsson did a strong job and he showed he has a role to play at the club and Shaun Derry looked good too, particularly in the first half and we still have the likes of Eirik Bakke to come.
"And there's Robbie Blake who is getting fitter with every game and whose movement was great tonight. When he gets fit it's going to be exciting.
"Add all that together and we've got competition that I've never had before at this club. We have got to have a solid squad and from that respect things are looking so much better than they did last season."
Former Sunderland striker Michael Reddy gave Grimsby the lead but a superb goal from Frazer Richardson drew United level to the delight of almost 1,500 travelling fans.
"It was great build up play and it was reminiscent of his goal against Derby on the opening day of last season." added Blackwell.