Leeds United Football Club - Blackwell's Spring Warning
Kevin Blackwell has told Matthew Spring he needs to impress him in every game to ensure he has a long term future at the club.
Spring has been given an opportunity to do just that in the first team following Sean Derry's suspension and the decision to withdraw Seth Johnson for contractual reasons.
The player had remarked that he doesn't believe he has been given a fair chance to establish himself in the squad this term after recovering from a series of early season injuries that set him back.
Signed on a free-transfer from League One side Luton last summer, Spring is keen to prove to Blackwell that he can handle to step up to the Championship and the Whites boss will be happy if he does just that.
"Matthew was injured more than he was fit this season, so he has to bear that in mind," said Blackwell.
"I make it quite clear to Matthew Spring and any other player at this football club that they are damned right they have to impress me.
"They have to make sure they can play for this football club week in and week out at a very good level because if they can't then you will be leaving this football club.
"It is nice to know Matthew feels he has a point to prove because I want my players to believe they have a point to prove every week, not just to me but to the 30,000 plus fans at Elland Road who demand success.
"The players that cannot handle that will be shown the door."
Spring's main problem has been his fitness and a subsequent lack of "sharpness", but regardless of the fact that he has only made 5 starts this season, manages to maintain a healthy fan club amongst United supporters.
Kevin Blackwell has told Matthew Spring he needs to impress him in every game to ensure he has a long term future at the club.
Spring has been given an opportunity to do just that in the first team following Sean Derry's suspension and the decision to withdraw Seth Johnson for contractual reasons.
The player had remarked that he doesn't believe he has been given a fair chance to establish himself in the squad this term after recovering from a series of early season injuries that set him back.
Signed on a free-transfer from League One side Luton last summer, Spring is keen to prove to Blackwell that he can handle to step up to the Championship and the Whites boss will be happy if he does just that.
"Matthew was injured more than he was fit this season, so he has to bear that in mind," said Blackwell.
"I make it quite clear to Matthew Spring and any other player at this football club that they are damned right they have to impress me.
"They have to make sure they can play for this football club week in and week out at a very good level because if they can't then you will be leaving this football club.
"It is nice to know Matthew feels he has a point to prove because I want my players to believe they have a point to prove every week, not just to me but to the 30,000 plus fans at Elland Road who demand success.
"The players that cannot handle that will be shown the door."
Spring's main problem has been his fitness and a subsequent lack of "sharpness", but regardless of the fact that he has only made 5 starts this season, manages to maintain a healthy fan club amongst United supporters.
