First Objective Met
leedsunited.com
Kevin Blackwell paid tribute to his players after they secured a place in the play-offs with a point against Plymouth.
Although the result was disappointing, a second successive 0-0 draw at home, Blackwell was keen to point out the positives from the game and put it into context of the season as a whole.
Leeds have been challenging for promotion since the first few months of the campaign and whilst the grand prize of promotion has yet to be earned, he believes his side deserves to be recognised for their achievements.
He said: "I would like to congratulate the players after a hard season for achieving one of the targets we set out to do and that was to get the minimum of a play-off place.
"I have to take my hat off to them for the hard work they have done to achieve that.
"It's great to look at the league table and see Leeds right up the top there, I think everybody should be proud of that and let's all stick together. I know things are currently frustrating for fans and players alike, but let's shout them home and make sure Elland Road is a fortress because we need everybody behind us.
"The players that have fought to get us here have done us proud but things are not dropping for them at this moment."
Having now gone four games without a goal, Blackwell admits his side are struggling to put away their chances but cannot complain about their work-rate, attitude or desire.
He's hoping that his strikers' luck will turn - Rob Hulse, David Healy, Robbie Blake and Jermaine Beckford all came close - and hopefully in time to fire Leeds back into the Premiership.
"At the moment it's not just dropping for us, Rob's taken maybe another half second to make sure he's going to finish it and the lad gets a foot in, Robbie Blake's made the keeper make two great and David Healy's missed out by the width of the post, so please God we are saving the goals up for when it matters in the play-offs.
"They've given everything and you can tell the frustration they have because they are desperate to do well for all the fans, and you can understand the frustration the fans are showing but one thing about the players is that to be guaranteed a place in the play-offs with four games to go is an achievement in itself.
"I am frustrated about certain things but you have to remember how far we have come this season. When I see crowds cheer people off after losing 4-0 against Arsenal, I think these lads deserve applause when they come off even though it was 0-0.
"In the first three minutes they wasted time, and if that's how they want to play that's fine, it's up to us to break them down but it just didn't quite happen. All the little things are not happening. It's all if's and but's and we have to turn that round.
"I am proud of the players and I hope the fans are."
leedsunited.com
Kevin Blackwell paid tribute to his players after they secured a place in the play-offs with a point against Plymouth.
Although the result was disappointing, a second successive 0-0 draw at home, Blackwell was keen to point out the positives from the game and put it into context of the season as a whole.
Leeds have been challenging for promotion since the first few months of the campaign and whilst the grand prize of promotion has yet to be earned, he believes his side deserves to be recognised for their achievements.
He said: "I would like to congratulate the players after a hard season for achieving one of the targets we set out to do and that was to get the minimum of a play-off place.
"I have to take my hat off to them for the hard work they have done to achieve that.
"It's great to look at the league table and see Leeds right up the top there, I think everybody should be proud of that and let's all stick together. I know things are currently frustrating for fans and players alike, but let's shout them home and make sure Elland Road is a fortress because we need everybody behind us.
"The players that have fought to get us here have done us proud but things are not dropping for them at this moment."
Having now gone four games without a goal, Blackwell admits his side are struggling to put away their chances but cannot complain about their work-rate, attitude or desire.
He's hoping that his strikers' luck will turn - Rob Hulse, David Healy, Robbie Blake and Jermaine Beckford all came close - and hopefully in time to fire Leeds back into the Premiership.
"At the moment it's not just dropping for us, Rob's taken maybe another half second to make sure he's going to finish it and the lad gets a foot in, Robbie Blake's made the keeper make two great and David Healy's missed out by the width of the post, so please God we are saving the goals up for when it matters in the play-offs.
"They've given everything and you can tell the frustration they have because they are desperate to do well for all the fans, and you can understand the frustration the fans are showing but one thing about the players is that to be guaranteed a place in the play-offs with four games to go is an achievement in itself.
"I am frustrated about certain things but you have to remember how far we have come this season. When I see crowds cheer people off after losing 4-0 against Arsenal, I think these lads deserve applause when they come off even though it was 0-0.
"In the first three minutes they wasted time, and if that's how they want to play that's fine, it's up to us to break them down but it just didn't quite happen. All the little things are not happening. It's all if's and but's and we have to turn that round.
"I am proud of the players and I hope the fans are."
