Leeds manager convinced Sheffield United can be caught
Ian Appleyard
Yorkshire Post
LEEDS UNITED manager Kevin Blackwell is determined to keep the heat on his former club Sheffield United in the race for automatic promotion to the Premiership.
Blackwell's side have returned to third spot in the Championship table courtesy of the 2-1 victory over Watford at Elland Road on Tuesday night and now sit just nine points behind second-placed Blades, who drew at home to leaders Reading.
With Leeds having played a game less, Blackwell remains convinced that the Blades can be caught over the remaining 13 games of the season.
He said: "It was an important win against Watford because we knew, if we are going to have any chance of getting automatic promotion, that we have to try and put the foot on the pedal and move forward.
"The players all wanted to get back to third position because we've had it for such a long time and felt aggrieved when Watford took it off us.
"Now we've got third place back and, when we came off, we found out that they (Sheffield United) had only drawn at Bramall Lane, so that was two points gained.
"There are plenty of games to go and the great thing about football is the twists and turns in the game.
"Sheffield United have still got the points and all we can do is keep the pressure on. If we can do that then let's see where we are around April time."
Leeds are now preparing for Saturday's trip to Leicester City, who have been in resurgent form since the departure of manager Craig Levein and the subsequent appointment of Rob Kelly. With 10 points from a possible 12 in their last four games under Kelly, Leicester have pulled seven points clear of the relegation zone and confidence is high. But Leeds have won seven out of their last 10 league games, so will travel to the Walkers Stadium with their tails firmly up.
Striker Richard Cresswell, who spent six months at Leicester after leaving Sheffield Wednesday in 2000, has vowed to play on for as long as possible this season despite a knee problem. Fears that the 28-year-old's season was already over were dispelled by his appearance as a second-half substitute against Watford. Scans have confirmed the striker does have a cartilage problem but he can still manage to play with discomfort.
"I'm just going to see how it goes in the next few weeks, but it felt great on Tuesday night and hopefully I will be able to carry on," he said. "The physios have done a fantastic job on me and the knee has settled down. I am sure I will be able to carry on as normal to the end of the season.
"We might look at it again then but, for the moment, I don't think there's going to be any problem. I just want to play football."
Midfielder Shaun Derry is suspended for two games which may lead to a recall for youngster Simon Walton.
Ian Appleyard
Yorkshire Post
LEEDS UNITED manager Kevin Blackwell is determined to keep the heat on his former club Sheffield United in the race for automatic promotion to the Premiership.
Blackwell's side have returned to third spot in the Championship table courtesy of the 2-1 victory over Watford at Elland Road on Tuesday night and now sit just nine points behind second-placed Blades, who drew at home to leaders Reading.
With Leeds having played a game less, Blackwell remains convinced that the Blades can be caught over the remaining 13 games of the season.
He said: "It was an important win against Watford because we knew, if we are going to have any chance of getting automatic promotion, that we have to try and put the foot on the pedal and move forward.
"The players all wanted to get back to third position because we've had it for such a long time and felt aggrieved when Watford took it off us.
"Now we've got third place back and, when we came off, we found out that they (Sheffield United) had only drawn at Bramall Lane, so that was two points gained.
"There are plenty of games to go and the great thing about football is the twists and turns in the game.
"Sheffield United have still got the points and all we can do is keep the pressure on. If we can do that then let's see where we are around April time."
Leeds are now preparing for Saturday's trip to Leicester City, who have been in resurgent form since the departure of manager Craig Levein and the subsequent appointment of Rob Kelly. With 10 points from a possible 12 in their last four games under Kelly, Leicester have pulled seven points clear of the relegation zone and confidence is high. But Leeds have won seven out of their last 10 league games, so will travel to the Walkers Stadium with their tails firmly up.
Striker Richard Cresswell, who spent six months at Leicester after leaving Sheffield Wednesday in 2000, has vowed to play on for as long as possible this season despite a knee problem. Fears that the 28-year-old's season was already over were dispelled by his appearance as a second-half substitute against Watford. Scans have confirmed the striker does have a cartilage problem but he can still manage to play with discomfort.
"I'm just going to see how it goes in the next few weeks, but it felt great on Tuesday night and hopefully I will be able to carry on," he said. "The physios have done a fantastic job on me and the knee has settled down. I am sure I will be able to carry on as normal to the end of the season.
"We might look at it again then but, for the moment, I don't think there's going to be any problem. I just want to play football."
Midfielder Shaun Derry is suspended for two games which may lead to a recall for youngster Simon Walton.