Post by Taxigirl on Apr 4, 2006 8:26:45 GMT
www.leedsunited.com
United boss Kevin Blackwell says Leeds will bounce back strongly from a disappointing last month and be ready to give their all in the play-offs.
Although not prepared to throw in the towel on the Whites automatic promotion hopes, March saw Blackwell's men record just one win and with April 1st's defeat at Hull included, lose twice to pass up the opportunity of loosening Sheffield United's grip on second place.
Leeds went into Saturday's trip to the KC Stadium knowing they had to start winning again but Jon Parkin's 76th minute winner for Hull has left them seven points behind the Blades with five games to play.
Blackwell admitted the Hull defeat had left his team bitterly disappointed but believes they will respond and pick up before the play-offs.
"It's disappointing to lose that one because we did have some good chances to win the game," said Blackwell, "but we knew it was going to be full of blood and thunder and it didn't disappoint.
"we knew the strength of Parkin and we've worked on it, but we've seen him outdo us and at the other end nothing seems to be dropping for us at the moment.
"We knew it was their cup final and for most of the game I could not see them scoring but once again you have to give them credit for sticking at their job. We knew the system and how they play and they didn't disappoint us.
"I think we got something of an improvement but once again I am asking everyone to step up to the plate. I asked the forwards for more last week but it's everybody else as well.
"If you are going to go on and do anything you have to be able to take a kicking to move on our else it shows you have no courage.
"We had a couple of great chances and if we had taken them we would have been talking about a different result."
Blackwell maintains his stance that his team should be judged on their results over the season and not just one or two games.
"We are disappointed but we keep moving on and there is a lot to play for this season, this game does not finish our season, this game was just part of the good season we are having.
"When you lose a game it's never nice, especially in our situation, but sometimes you might just be trying to hard and things aren't quite happening, so we just have to play it a little bit cool and keep our heads because the most important part of the season is coming up.
"If we are going to go into the play-offs we want to be going into them as positive as we can."
United boss Kevin Blackwell says Leeds will bounce back strongly from a disappointing last month and be ready to give their all in the play-offs.
Although not prepared to throw in the towel on the Whites automatic promotion hopes, March saw Blackwell's men record just one win and with April 1st's defeat at Hull included, lose twice to pass up the opportunity of loosening Sheffield United's grip on second place.
Leeds went into Saturday's trip to the KC Stadium knowing they had to start winning again but Jon Parkin's 76th minute winner for Hull has left them seven points behind the Blades with five games to play.
Blackwell admitted the Hull defeat had left his team bitterly disappointed but believes they will respond and pick up before the play-offs.
"It's disappointing to lose that one because we did have some good chances to win the game," said Blackwell, "but we knew it was going to be full of blood and thunder and it didn't disappoint.
"we knew the strength of Parkin and we've worked on it, but we've seen him outdo us and at the other end nothing seems to be dropping for us at the moment.
"We knew it was their cup final and for most of the game I could not see them scoring but once again you have to give them credit for sticking at their job. We knew the system and how they play and they didn't disappoint us.
"I think we got something of an improvement but once again I am asking everyone to step up to the plate. I asked the forwards for more last week but it's everybody else as well.
"If you are going to go on and do anything you have to be able to take a kicking to move on our else it shows you have no courage.
"We had a couple of great chances and if we had taken them we would have been talking about a different result."
Blackwell maintains his stance that his team should be judged on their results over the season and not just one or two games.
"We are disappointed but we keep moving on and there is a lot to play for this season, this game does not finish our season, this game was just part of the good season we are having.
"When you lose a game it's never nice, especially in our situation, but sometimes you might just be trying to hard and things aren't quite happening, so we just have to play it a little bit cool and keep our heads because the most important part of the season is coming up.
"If we are going to go into the play-offs we want to be going into them as positive as we can."