Post by Taxigirl on Aug 26, 2005 9:04:34 GMT
www.leedsunited.com
Manager Kevin Blackwell believes his squad now will form the nucleus of a successful Leeds United team for the next few years.
Blackwell has spent the last year gradually building a squad capable of competing in the Championship, first to stop the terminal decline the club was going through and then the second stage, which is now, to begin challenging for promotion.
It has been an evolutionary process and of the current first team squad, only four players remain from the time before Blackwell took over, so the majority have been selected and brought into the club by him.
Having built what is arguably one of the strongest squads in the Championship, Blackwell has made it clear to a host of clubs that he wants to keep it that way and his key players are not for sale. He's looking for stability now and insists most of the squad will be together for some time.
"I am not looking at things in the short term," said Blackwell.
"I'm looking long term and the players we've signed are spot on for the next two to three years.
"We will improve on that as we go along and the great thing is that instead of there being wholesale changes it will be one in, one out and a steady progress of rebuilding the club to a higher level.
"That means a high level of player and with that comes extra cost and higher wages, so the whole thing has to be thought about carefully and that's what the Chairman and I are trying to do."
Blackwell is also looking to generate a good team spirit at the club, and as such he recognises the role every professional has to play - even if they're not playing.
"No-one is bigger than Leeds United, they are all working for the same cause.
"If we win a game it's not with 11 players, it's with 16 in the squad and it's with the 23 senior players at the club. It's everyone in together and it has to be that way.
"There is a good feeling within the players for each other, team spirit wise, and any new arrivals will also soon become part of that."
Manager Kevin Blackwell believes his squad now will form the nucleus of a successful Leeds United team for the next few years.
Blackwell has spent the last year gradually building a squad capable of competing in the Championship, first to stop the terminal decline the club was going through and then the second stage, which is now, to begin challenging for promotion.
It has been an evolutionary process and of the current first team squad, only four players remain from the time before Blackwell took over, so the majority have been selected and brought into the club by him.
Having built what is arguably one of the strongest squads in the Championship, Blackwell has made it clear to a host of clubs that he wants to keep it that way and his key players are not for sale. He's looking for stability now and insists most of the squad will be together for some time.
"I am not looking at things in the short term," said Blackwell.
"I'm looking long term and the players we've signed are spot on for the next two to three years.
"We will improve on that as we go along and the great thing is that instead of there being wholesale changes it will be one in, one out and a steady progress of rebuilding the club to a higher level.
"That means a high level of player and with that comes extra cost and higher wages, so the whole thing has to be thought about carefully and that's what the Chairman and I are trying to do."
Blackwell is also looking to generate a good team spirit at the club, and as such he recognises the role every professional has to play - even if they're not playing.
"No-one is bigger than Leeds United, they are all working for the same cause.
"If we win a game it's not with 11 players, it's with 16 in the squad and it's with the 23 senior players at the club. It's everyone in together and it has to be that way.
"There is a good feeling within the players for each other, team spirit wise, and any new arrivals will also soon become part of that."