Blackwell backing Gregan to cover for Kilgallon
Richard Sutcliffe
Yorkshire Post
KEVIN BLACKWELL insists Leeds United have a ready-made replacement in Sean Gregan after revealing influential defender Matthew Kilgallon will be out for at least two months.
The 22-year-old York-born defender has been United's most improved performer this season, but a double injury blow sustained against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup meant he missed the 3-0 derby win at home to Sheffield Wednesday.
Gregan, who before the weekend had made just two starts in three months, stepped in to help Leeds keep a clean sheet against the Owls.
The former Preston and West Brom man has been a target for the Elland Road boo boys in certain games this season, but Blackwell believes it is time for all parties to look forward and not back.
He said: "I thought Sean was tremendous. The last time he came in (to the defence) at Millwall he was man of the match and he looked like he had not been away. Full credit to him and I hope people give him that credit.
"The punters have to get over the hurdle with Sean Gregan. Ironically, his record is good (eight clean sheets in 18 appearances as a defender) and that is why I find it harsh when people are ultra-critical of him.
"The amount of work he gets through means he will make a mistake at some time, but four months ago Sean and Paul Butler were playing so well that Matthew Kilgallon could not get into the side. That is the highest accolade I can pay them both."
On Kilgallon, Blackwell added: "Matthew is out for two months with damage to his knee ligament and also to his hamstring. He picked up both injuries at the same time (against Wigan).
"If it is any longer than that, then I will have to get cover for Sean because Simon Walton is maybe a little bit too inexperienced to go in there on a long-term basis."
The victory kept Leeds in third place, though with Sheffield United beating Brighton 3-1 the gap to the automatic promotion places remains 12 points.
Blackwell said: "I am not worried about them. Sheffield United must be thinking, 'When are they ever going to stop coming after us?' At some point they might just crack."
The three-goal margin was harsh on Wednesday who, until Paul Butler opened the scoring on 69 minutes had looked capable of returning back down the M1 with a hard-fought point.
Wednesday manager Paul Sturrock felt there was several positives to come out of the defeat and said: "In the end the first goal was key, but I did not feel it was a 3-0 result.
"I am not downhearted and I learned a few things about my players. I have learned we are not a 4-3-3 team, but needs must and we needed to get up there in their faces.
"You probably learn more in defeat than you do when you win. We are going to get healthier now because we have got 10 days without a game and we live to fight another day.
"The result will be hard for the Wednesday fans to take because they were magnificent and will find losing to one of their deadliest rivals a bitter pill to swallow."
Richard Sutcliffe
Yorkshire Post
KEVIN BLACKWELL insists Leeds United have a ready-made replacement in Sean Gregan after revealing influential defender Matthew Kilgallon will be out for at least two months.
The 22-year-old York-born defender has been United's most improved performer this season, but a double injury blow sustained against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup meant he missed the 3-0 derby win at home to Sheffield Wednesday.
Gregan, who before the weekend had made just two starts in three months, stepped in to help Leeds keep a clean sheet against the Owls.
The former Preston and West Brom man has been a target for the Elland Road boo boys in certain games this season, but Blackwell believes it is time for all parties to look forward and not back.
He said: "I thought Sean was tremendous. The last time he came in (to the defence) at Millwall he was man of the match and he looked like he had not been away. Full credit to him and I hope people give him that credit.
"The punters have to get over the hurdle with Sean Gregan. Ironically, his record is good (eight clean sheets in 18 appearances as a defender) and that is why I find it harsh when people are ultra-critical of him.
"The amount of work he gets through means he will make a mistake at some time, but four months ago Sean and Paul Butler were playing so well that Matthew Kilgallon could not get into the side. That is the highest accolade I can pay them both."
On Kilgallon, Blackwell added: "Matthew is out for two months with damage to his knee ligament and also to his hamstring. He picked up both injuries at the same time (against Wigan).
"If it is any longer than that, then I will have to get cover for Sean because Simon Walton is maybe a little bit too inexperienced to go in there on a long-term basis."
The victory kept Leeds in third place, though with Sheffield United beating Brighton 3-1 the gap to the automatic promotion places remains 12 points.
Blackwell said: "I am not worried about them. Sheffield United must be thinking, 'When are they ever going to stop coming after us?' At some point they might just crack."
The three-goal margin was harsh on Wednesday who, until Paul Butler opened the scoring on 69 minutes had looked capable of returning back down the M1 with a hard-fought point.
Wednesday manager Paul Sturrock felt there was several positives to come out of the defeat and said: "In the end the first goal was key, but I did not feel it was a 3-0 result.
"I am not downhearted and I learned a few things about my players. I have learned we are not a 4-3-3 team, but needs must and we needed to get up there in their faces.
"You probably learn more in defeat than you do when you win. We are going to get healthier now because we have got 10 days without a game and we live to fight another day.
"The result will be hard for the Wednesday fans to take because they were magnificent and will find losing to one of their deadliest rivals a bitter pill to swallow."