Blackwell salutes Leeds' fighting spirit
Kevin Blackwell is hoping the “emotional rollercoaster” that comes with being Leeds boss ultimately ends on a high with a place in the Barclays Premiership.
Blackwell certainly endured a rough ride of ups and downs during 90 turbulent minutes of last night’s Coca-Cola Championship semi-final second leg against Preston at Deepdale.
Leeds booked their place in the May 21 final at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium with two goals in five second-half minutes from Rob Hulse and Frazer Richardson.
Blackwell’s joy, however, was tempered by the dismissals of Stephen Crainey and Richard Cresswell later in the half for two bookable offences, ruling the duo out of the clash with either Watford or Crystal Palace.
However, referee Mike Thorpe is understood to have indicated he will look at the second booking for Crainey, with the left-back appearing to make contact with the ball before bringing down David Nugent.
In the end, nine-man Leeds managed to hold onto victory, much to the delight of Blackwell, who said: “We’ve built a club in less than two years that is now one game away from the Premier League.
“Gary Kelly, who captained the side last night, is all that remains of Leeds United from a couple of years ago.
“So from that, to where we stand today, is a magnificent effort by all the players and the staff.”
