Leeds Today
STATEMENT OF INTENT
Blackwell hails the arrival of striker Ricketts
by Phil Hay
LEEDS UNITED boss Kevin Blackwell today claimed his shock capture of Michael Ricketts has "raised a few eyebrows" in the football world.
The Middlesbrough striker agreed a three-year deal at Elland Road last week and Blackwell insists the signing is a clear statement that the relegated club are intent on making an immediate return to the Premiership.
Ricketts – signed for £2.5m from Bolton by Steve McClaren – has endured a difficult 18-month spell on Teesside where he failed to establish himself as a first-team regular.
Ricketts was expected to reproduce the form which earned him an England cap two years ago, but quickly fell behind Joseph-Desire Job and Massimo Maccarone in the Boro pecking order.
But Blackwell witnessed the forward's ability at Elland Road in January, when Ricketts scored
during Boro's emphatic 3-0 victory, and the 25-year-old has previously thrived at first division level.
Bolton boss Sam Allardyce worked 24 goals out of Ricketts during the 2000/1 season when Wanderers won promotion to the Premiership and Blackwell is
confident of earning a similar return.
Blackwell said: "I know that us signing Michael surprised a lot of people in football. It's certainly raised a few eyebrows.
"He was in the England squad less than two years ago and we have to try and get him back up to that level.
"We know he can score goals and we also know that's he's done it before at this level.
"Signing Michael shows everyone the intent of Leeds United and he will be a real asset next season."
United are still to finalise the deal for Ricketts, who has already passed a medical and accepted terms with the West Yorkshire club.
Ricketts will form part of Blackwell's newly-constructed strikeforce after the recent acquisition of Coventry forward Julian Joachim and Bradford City's Danny Cadamarteri.
The trio took the number of Blackwell's summer purchases to six, and the Leeds boss is hoping to unveil another two players tomorrow as the influx continues.
He said: "It'll be great when I've got everyone in who I want. There are still two or three major signings to be made and the irons are in the fire."
STATEMENT OF INTENT
Blackwell hails the arrival of striker Ricketts
by Phil Hay
LEEDS UNITED boss Kevin Blackwell today claimed his shock capture of Michael Ricketts has "raised a few eyebrows" in the football world.
The Middlesbrough striker agreed a three-year deal at Elland Road last week and Blackwell insists the signing is a clear statement that the relegated club are intent on making an immediate return to the Premiership.
Ricketts – signed for £2.5m from Bolton by Steve McClaren – has endured a difficult 18-month spell on Teesside where he failed to establish himself as a first-team regular.
Ricketts was expected to reproduce the form which earned him an England cap two years ago, but quickly fell behind Joseph-Desire Job and Massimo Maccarone in the Boro pecking order.
But Blackwell witnessed the forward's ability at Elland Road in January, when Ricketts scored
during Boro's emphatic 3-0 victory, and the 25-year-old has previously thrived at first division level.
Bolton boss Sam Allardyce worked 24 goals out of Ricketts during the 2000/1 season when Wanderers won promotion to the Premiership and Blackwell is
confident of earning a similar return.
Blackwell said: "I know that us signing Michael surprised a lot of people in football. It's certainly raised a few eyebrows.
"He was in the England squad less than two years ago and we have to try and get him back up to that level.
"We know he can score goals and we also know that's he's done it before at this level.
"Signing Michael shows everyone the intent of Leeds United and he will be a real asset next season."
United are still to finalise the deal for Ricketts, who has already passed a medical and accepted terms with the West Yorkshire club.
Ricketts will form part of Blackwell's newly-constructed strikeforce after the recent acquisition of Coventry forward Julian Joachim and Bradford City's Danny Cadamarteri.
The trio took the number of Blackwell's summer purchases to six, and the Leeds boss is hoping to unveil another two players tomorrow as the influx continues.
He said: "It'll be great when I've got everyone in who I want. There are still two or three major signings to be made and the irons are in the fire."