Post by Taxigirl on Feb 15, 2006 9:47:57 GMT
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Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell watched his side move to within nine points of Sheffield United and then set his sights on overhauling the Blades.
Robbie Blake's brace handed Leeds a 2-1 victory against nine-man Watford on Tuesday night and saw them leapfrog the Hornets into third spot in the Coca-Cola Championship.
Leeds have a game in hand on Neil Warnock's second-placed side, who drew 1-1 with leaders Reading, and travel to Bramall Lane on April 17.
Blackwell said: "There are plenty of games to go and the great thing about football is the twists and turns in the game.
"Sheffield United have still got the points and all we can do is keep the pressure on.
"If we can do that then let's see where we are around April time, but I cannot praise the lads highly enough.
"They've been through hell and high water at this club and to be where we are is an absolute testament to every player that I have."
Leeds edged a compelling encounter against Adrian Boothroyd's side, who were reduced to nine men for the final half hour.
Ashley Young's delightful free-kick five minutes before the break put the Hornets on course for a momentous seventh successive Championship win.
But Boothroyd could only watch in despair shortly after 57 minutes as on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster conceded a penalty and was shown a straight red card.
Blake fired the resulting spot-kick past 41-year-old replacement keeper Alec Chamberlain to draw Leeds level before tensions hit boiling point moments later.
Hornets striker Darius Henderson became embroiled in an unseemly tussle with Sean Gregan and after retaliating to the Leeds defender's challenge he was also sent off.
Leeds made their numerical advantage pay and Blake's clinical 81st-minute finish secured a priceless win.
Meanwhile, Henderson's red card, and Gregan's role in the incident, left a sour taste in Boothroyd's mouth.
The Watford boss, a former coach at Leeds, said: "As long as the offence is punished for both teams then there's not a problem.
"Some people call it professionalism or you can call it want, but when you go down as if someone has hit you with a sledgehammer it's a little bit disappointing.
"But I don't complain because it goes on. Henderson's shirt was ripped and when that happens there has to be some sort of wrestling match going on."
Boothroyd insisted his side would emerge stronger from the experience and urged them to embark on another winning streak.
He said: "We all get setbacks in life, but it's how you bounce back from them and we need to do that against Brighton on Saturday.
"We had won six on the spin and now we've got to make sure we win another six, or seven, or eight.
"That's all we can do, and make sure you learn from the experience, but I think you might see us again."
Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell watched his side move to within nine points of Sheffield United and then set his sights on overhauling the Blades.
Robbie Blake's brace handed Leeds a 2-1 victory against nine-man Watford on Tuesday night and saw them leapfrog the Hornets into third spot in the Coca-Cola Championship.
Leeds have a game in hand on Neil Warnock's second-placed side, who drew 1-1 with leaders Reading, and travel to Bramall Lane on April 17.
Blackwell said: "There are plenty of games to go and the great thing about football is the twists and turns in the game.
"Sheffield United have still got the points and all we can do is keep the pressure on.
"If we can do that then let's see where we are around April time, but I cannot praise the lads highly enough.
"They've been through hell and high water at this club and to be where we are is an absolute testament to every player that I have."
Leeds edged a compelling encounter against Adrian Boothroyd's side, who were reduced to nine men for the final half hour.
Ashley Young's delightful free-kick five minutes before the break put the Hornets on course for a momentous seventh successive Championship win.
But Boothroyd could only watch in despair shortly after 57 minutes as on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster conceded a penalty and was shown a straight red card.
Blake fired the resulting spot-kick past 41-year-old replacement keeper Alec Chamberlain to draw Leeds level before tensions hit boiling point moments later.
Hornets striker Darius Henderson became embroiled in an unseemly tussle with Sean Gregan and after retaliating to the Leeds defender's challenge he was also sent off.
Leeds made their numerical advantage pay and Blake's clinical 81st-minute finish secured a priceless win.
Meanwhile, Henderson's red card, and Gregan's role in the incident, left a sour taste in Boothroyd's mouth.
The Watford boss, a former coach at Leeds, said: "As long as the offence is punished for both teams then there's not a problem.
"Some people call it professionalism or you can call it want, but when you go down as if someone has hit you with a sledgehammer it's a little bit disappointing.
"But I don't complain because it goes on. Henderson's shirt was ripped and when that happens there has to be some sort of wrestling match going on."
Boothroyd insisted his side would emerge stronger from the experience and urged them to embark on another winning streak.
He said: "We all get setbacks in life, but it's how you bounce back from them and we need to do that against Brighton on Saturday.
"We had won six on the spin and now we've got to make sure we win another six, or seven, or eight.
"That's all we can do, and make sure you learn from the experience, but I think you might see us again."