Post by Taxigirl on May 5, 2006 8:38:29 GMT
soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=197136&cc=5739
KO - 19:45 UK - Elland Road
Preston boss Billy Davies has laughed off claims Leeds have a trump card up their sleeve for the first leg of their play-off semi-final at Elland Road.
The two sides meet just five days since North End, who lost to West Ham in the play-off final last year, beat United 2-0 in the final league game of the season at Deepdale - a match that saw Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell make eight changes.
The opposing managers were keen to play down the importance of that result although Blackwell said he had not shown ``a strong hand'' and that Leeds had learned more than Preston ahead of the crucial double-header.
But Davies has star striker David Nugent back after a broken metatarsal, while midfielder Brian O'Neil, utility man Callum Davidson and Marcus Stewart have all declared themselves fit for duty this week.
The Scot, who has been crowned Championship manager of the month for April, said: ``There are one or two at the other end saying they're keeping one or two things up their sleeve but so are Preston North End.
``We're going to be very surprised when they bring in (Rob) Hulse who we don`t know, Eddie Lewis who we don't know, (Gary) Kelly who we don't know and (Shaun) Derry who we don't know. It will be a great surprise to us, no doubt.
``It's a surprise for them about Davidson and O`Neil. The difference is we've just got to carry on what we've been doing.
``The difference is we have very much hit form at the right time, our confidence is high and we've got some very big hitters coming into the squad which is great.''
Having lost just six games in the league all season and having broken a club record for clean sheets, North End, unbeaten in eight matches, go into the first leg with plenty of confidence.
Along with fit-again O`Neil (hamstring and groin), Davidson (knee) and Stewart (hamstring), defender Tyrone Mears is back following the birth of his child but goalkeeper Andrew Lonergan and Adam Nowland are long-term absentees.
Blackwell has called on the spirit of 2001 to help sweep Leeds back into the big time.
He insists it is the biggest game at Elland Road since the heady days of their last-four Champions League clash with Valencia five years ago.
``That's how big the game is,'' said Blackwell. ``But it's really the kind of game this club is geared for with its fanbase, ground and history. It's up to people like myself and the players to try and get it back.
``All I know is Leeds is a Premiership club in every way bar status and we are trying to get back that status.''
Blackwell will attempt to do so without his skipper Paul Butler, sidelined for up to four weeks with a torn calf muscle sustained in training.
The vastly-experienced former Sunderland and Wolves defender is definitely out of both legs and would be doubtful for the Millennium Stadium final on May 21 should Leeds see off Preston's formidable challenge.
But midfielder Eirik Bakke (hamstring) will be available after returning to training this week, while former England winger Steve Stone, hoping to make only his third appearance of the season due to a ruptured Achilles, could provide the bullets Leeds have recently been badly missing.
Fellow Championship managers Neil Warnock and Ian Holloway believe the weight of expectation on Leeds will work against them but Blackwell, naturally, refutes this.
``The fans have been fantastic all season,'' he said. ``We know come what may the fans will shout us home. There is no better place to be for a night match than Elland Road - it really is a bit special.''
Sean Gregan, Lewis and David Healy will all be facing their former club, while a fourth ex-Preston player now at Leeds, striker Richard Cresswell, misses out after sustaining a season-ending knee injury in February.
Blackwell admitted his own determination to succeed is steeled by the all-too-recent memory of relegation and that his side were in fact ahead of schedule in their bid to get back to the Premiership.
``It was a desperate time because I was watching everything fold around us, but wasn't able to do anything about it,'' he said. ``It was the most frustrating time in my career - I knew we were heading for the wall, but I could not stop the car.
``I want to see this club back, the Premiership wants Leeds United back, but we have to earn the right against a quality side like Preston.
``After we were relegated I expected it to be a three-year process to get back. I thought the first year would be to stop the slide and then the second would be all about consolidation. The third would then be going for promotion.
``So we find ourselves 12 months ahead of where we wanted to be.''
COME ON LADS ;D
KO - 19:45 UK - Elland Road
Preston boss Billy Davies has laughed off claims Leeds have a trump card up their sleeve for the first leg of their play-off semi-final at Elland Road.
The two sides meet just five days since North End, who lost to West Ham in the play-off final last year, beat United 2-0 in the final league game of the season at Deepdale - a match that saw Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell make eight changes.
The opposing managers were keen to play down the importance of that result although Blackwell said he had not shown ``a strong hand'' and that Leeds had learned more than Preston ahead of the crucial double-header.
But Davies has star striker David Nugent back after a broken metatarsal, while midfielder Brian O'Neil, utility man Callum Davidson and Marcus Stewart have all declared themselves fit for duty this week.
The Scot, who has been crowned Championship manager of the month for April, said: ``There are one or two at the other end saying they're keeping one or two things up their sleeve but so are Preston North End.
``We're going to be very surprised when they bring in (Rob) Hulse who we don`t know, Eddie Lewis who we don't know, (Gary) Kelly who we don't know and (Shaun) Derry who we don't know. It will be a great surprise to us, no doubt.
``It's a surprise for them about Davidson and O`Neil. The difference is we've just got to carry on what we've been doing.
``The difference is we have very much hit form at the right time, our confidence is high and we've got some very big hitters coming into the squad which is great.''
Having lost just six games in the league all season and having broken a club record for clean sheets, North End, unbeaten in eight matches, go into the first leg with plenty of confidence.
Along with fit-again O`Neil (hamstring and groin), Davidson (knee) and Stewart (hamstring), defender Tyrone Mears is back following the birth of his child but goalkeeper Andrew Lonergan and Adam Nowland are long-term absentees.
Blackwell has called on the spirit of 2001 to help sweep Leeds back into the big time.
He insists it is the biggest game at Elland Road since the heady days of their last-four Champions League clash with Valencia five years ago.
``That's how big the game is,'' said Blackwell. ``But it's really the kind of game this club is geared for with its fanbase, ground and history. It's up to people like myself and the players to try and get it back.
``All I know is Leeds is a Premiership club in every way bar status and we are trying to get back that status.''
Blackwell will attempt to do so without his skipper Paul Butler, sidelined for up to four weeks with a torn calf muscle sustained in training.
The vastly-experienced former Sunderland and Wolves defender is definitely out of both legs and would be doubtful for the Millennium Stadium final on May 21 should Leeds see off Preston's formidable challenge.
But midfielder Eirik Bakke (hamstring) will be available after returning to training this week, while former England winger Steve Stone, hoping to make only his third appearance of the season due to a ruptured Achilles, could provide the bullets Leeds have recently been badly missing.
Fellow Championship managers Neil Warnock and Ian Holloway believe the weight of expectation on Leeds will work against them but Blackwell, naturally, refutes this.
``The fans have been fantastic all season,'' he said. ``We know come what may the fans will shout us home. There is no better place to be for a night match than Elland Road - it really is a bit special.''
Sean Gregan, Lewis and David Healy will all be facing their former club, while a fourth ex-Preston player now at Leeds, striker Richard Cresswell, misses out after sustaining a season-ending knee injury in February.
Blackwell admitted his own determination to succeed is steeled by the all-too-recent memory of relegation and that his side were in fact ahead of schedule in their bid to get back to the Premiership.
``It was a desperate time because I was watching everything fold around us, but wasn't able to do anything about it,'' he said. ``It was the most frustrating time in my career - I knew we were heading for the wall, but I could not stop the car.
``I want to see this club back, the Premiership wants Leeds United back, but we have to earn the right against a quality side like Preston.
``After we were relegated I expected it to be a three-year process to get back. I thought the first year would be to stop the slide and then the second would be all about consolidation. The third would then be going for promotion.
``So we find ourselves 12 months ahead of where we wanted to be.''
COME ON LADS ;D