BLACKWELL PLAYS DOWN DEFEAT'S IMPACT
By Graham Chase, PA Sport
Sporting Life
Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell insisted the 2-0 defeat by Preston has no bearing on his team's meeting with them in the Championship play-offs.
Goals from Brian Stock and Brett Ormerod either side of half-time at Deepdale ensured the home side finish in fourth and Leeds, who have won once in 10, settle for fifth.
The sides will meet again in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals at Elland Road on Friday before the return game at Deepdale on Monday week.
Blackwell said: "I put a team out to be competitive and it was so I'm pleased with what I got out of it.
"There were a lot of changes but it was for a purpose. It's about just playing the (semi-final) game. The occasion will have to be dealt with in a separate way.
"With eight changes, I don't think Billy (Davies) or I will read too much into the result."
Blackwell admits he is relieved to have the season out of the way to prepare specifically for the play-offs and added: "Now knowing who we've got, all four teams can now focus on the game.
"Training becomes a lot more specific so I'm pleased it's out of the way."
Leeds' wall should take a share of the blame for the opening goal, with Stock finding it easy to curl a shot inside the right post just before half-time to register his first goal since joining from Bournemouth in January.
The game seemed to be ebbing away until Ormerod bundled over the line with 14 minutes left after his header was pushed onto the bar by goalkeeper Neil Sullivan, while Preston boss Billy Davies also took the chance to give David Nugent a brief run-out following a broken metatarsal in March.
By Graham Chase, PA Sport
Sporting Life
Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell insisted the 2-0 defeat by Preston has no bearing on his team's meeting with them in the Championship play-offs.
Goals from Brian Stock and Brett Ormerod either side of half-time at Deepdale ensured the home side finish in fourth and Leeds, who have won once in 10, settle for fifth.
The sides will meet again in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals at Elland Road on Friday before the return game at Deepdale on Monday week.
Blackwell said: "I put a team out to be competitive and it was so I'm pleased with what I got out of it.
"There were a lot of changes but it was for a purpose. It's about just playing the (semi-final) game. The occasion will have to be dealt with in a separate way.
"With eight changes, I don't think Billy (Davies) or I will read too much into the result."
Blackwell admits he is relieved to have the season out of the way to prepare specifically for the play-offs and added: "Now knowing who we've got, all four teams can now focus on the game.
"Training becomes a lot more specific so I'm pleased it's out of the way."
Leeds' wall should take a share of the blame for the opening goal, with Stock finding it easy to curl a shot inside the right post just before half-time to register his first goal since joining from Bournemouth in January.
The game seemed to be ebbing away until Ormerod bundled over the line with 14 minutes left after his header was pushed onto the bar by goalkeeper Neil Sullivan, while Preston boss Billy Davies also took the chance to give David Nugent a brief run-out following a broken metatarsal in March.