Post by Taxigirl on Nov 24, 2005 10:36:33 GMT
www.leedsunited.com
Kevin Blackwell says Tuesday night's win over Burnley is further evidence that his side are steadily improving and will get even better.
An even game at half-time was turned United's way when Eddie Lewis won a penalty that David Healy put away for 1-0, and then Robbie Blake doubled the advantage with a spectacular 25-yard free-kick.
Blackwell was overall satisfied with Leeds' performance on the night, and particularly pleased to see another clean sheet.
"I thought Burnley shaded it in the first half and then second half we really got to grips with the game and created the better chances," said Blackwell.
"We knew they would come at us because they were on a four game winning streak and any team that puts that together is full of confidence, and sure enough they were.
"The pleasing thing for me was that when we were not on top of our game we worked very hard to make sure they did not get on top of theirs.
"We started to open up a little bit, our passing was better and we carved out three or four really good chances with some great football and that's what we want to see. For me it is just starting to come together.
"There were times when Burnley got on top but two teams in the top six are going to have a spell on the game. When that happens you have to concentrate and I think we did, it allows you to move forward."
Leeds were unfortunate not to take an early lead in the game but Matthew Kilgallon's header came back off the underside of the crossbar with .
"We seem to be very unlucky because we started well and I think that's the fifth or sixth game where we've hit the bar in the opening ten minutes.
"We go back to Brighton and Ipswich game where we hit the bar early on, and if one of those had gone in it might just have life a bit easier, but we are Leeds United and we don't do things the easy way."
After they took a 2-0 lead the Whites began to play with confidence and looked more like a side chasing promotion, and Blackwell says they earned the right to play.
"There were spells when they were on top and then there were spells where we played really well.
"We got the crowd cheering 'ole', and we almost got Rob Hulse in after the 22nd pass, he was in and his touch just went away from him and that would have been a sublime goal. There's times when I think we just need to brush up on that final pass.
"What we have to make sure is that we grind out results when we have to. You have got to be able to mix everything and we had our powers of concentration when we were under pressure, we had our wits about us when we needed it, and then some really good open play.
"To finish with some good goals and a clean sheet is a decent day's work at the office."
Kevin Blackwell says Tuesday night's win over Burnley is further evidence that his side are steadily improving and will get even better.
An even game at half-time was turned United's way when Eddie Lewis won a penalty that David Healy put away for 1-0, and then Robbie Blake doubled the advantage with a spectacular 25-yard free-kick.
Blackwell was overall satisfied with Leeds' performance on the night, and particularly pleased to see another clean sheet.
"I thought Burnley shaded it in the first half and then second half we really got to grips with the game and created the better chances," said Blackwell.
"We knew they would come at us because they were on a four game winning streak and any team that puts that together is full of confidence, and sure enough they were.
"The pleasing thing for me was that when we were not on top of our game we worked very hard to make sure they did not get on top of theirs.
"We started to open up a little bit, our passing was better and we carved out three or four really good chances with some great football and that's what we want to see. For me it is just starting to come together.
"There were times when Burnley got on top but two teams in the top six are going to have a spell on the game. When that happens you have to concentrate and I think we did, it allows you to move forward."
Leeds were unfortunate not to take an early lead in the game but Matthew Kilgallon's header came back off the underside of the crossbar with .
"We seem to be very unlucky because we started well and I think that's the fifth or sixth game where we've hit the bar in the opening ten minutes.
"We go back to Brighton and Ipswich game where we hit the bar early on, and if one of those had gone in it might just have life a bit easier, but we are Leeds United and we don't do things the easy way."
After they took a 2-0 lead the Whites began to play with confidence and looked more like a side chasing promotion, and Blackwell says they earned the right to play.
"There were spells when they were on top and then there were spells where we played really well.
"We got the crowd cheering 'ole', and we almost got Rob Hulse in after the 22nd pass, he was in and his touch just went away from him and that would have been a sublime goal. There's times when I think we just need to brush up on that final pass.
"What we have to make sure is that we grind out results when we have to. You have got to be able to mix everything and we had our powers of concentration when we were under pressure, we had our wits about us when we needed it, and then some really good open play.
"To finish with some good goals and a clean sheet is a decent day's work at the office."