BLACKWELL AIMING FOR STEADY PROGRESS - Sporting Life 22/9/04

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BLACKWELL AIMING FOR STEADY PROGRESS: Sporting Life - Football | Premiership, Championship, Scottish & European News, Scores, Results BLACKWELL AIMING FOR STEADY PROGRESS Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell insists he will go on rebuilding the club in a "slow and proper manner" as they seek an instant return to the Barclays Premiership. The Whites booked their place in the third round of the Carling Cup with a 1-0 win over Swindon as Blackwell tried to give some of his players a break, with Sunderland due to visit Elland Road in the Coca-Cola Championship on Friday. The boss believes his squad is not quite at the level he would like yet but he is acutely aware that money cannot be thrown around to repeat the rapid improvement of the club under former chairman Peter Ridsdale. "I know there's a level we need to compete at and we've still got to get to that level, but we can't rush it, we can't do that any more," Blackwell said. "It's my job to keep planning for the future, to keep getting players in and to build the club in a slow and proper manner. "I'm still two or three players short, I know I am, but I believe those players will cost money. These are the players I need to make the club competitive as quickly as possible again." Blackwell was at pains to reiterate that the club's latest signing, Brett Ormerod, was signed on loan from Southampton "through the correct channels" after an insinuation from Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock that the player was 'tapped up'. The United boss was also impressed with Michael Ricketts, whose first goal for the club proved decisive against Swindon. The 25-year-old has one England cap to his name from his time at Bolton but a £3.5million move to Middlesbrough in January 2003 failed to work out, and he is now trying to resurrect his fortunes in Yorkshire. "The pleasing thing was Michael finished it with some style, there was a lot of work still to do for that goal," Blackwell added. "It shows what he is capable of. We have to have patience with him. He is a frustrating player but there is no doubt he is a talented player. "If he gets into that position again now he'll feel more confident." Despite the defeat, Swindon manager Andy King was pleased with his side's display and believes more of the same will transform them from a mid-table League One side to a team challenging for a place in the Championship. "The players need to take this energy, this commitment and this composure and transfer it into the league - that's the task," King said.

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