Leeds face biggest test since Valencia, says boss
Blackwell’s side take on Preston tonight in the first of their two-legged semi-final and the manager insists it is the biggest game at Elland Road since the heady days of their last-four Champions League clash five years ago.
“It’s Leeds United’s biggest game since maybe Valencia – that’s how big the game is,” said Blackwell.
“But it’s really the kind of game this club is geared for with its fan base, ground and history. It’s up to people like myself and the players to try to get it back.
“All I know is Leeds is a Premiership club in every way bar status and we are trying to get back that status.”
Blackwell will attempt to do so without his skipper Paul Butler, sidelined for up to four weeks with a torn calf muscle sustained in training.
The vastly-experienced former Sunderland and Wolves defender is definitely out of both legs and would be doubtful for the Millennium Stadium final on May 21 should Leeds see off Preston’s formidable challenge.
But midfielder Eirik Bakke (hamstring) will be available after returning to training this week, while former England winger Steve Stone, hoping to make only his third appearance of the season due to a ruptured Achilles, could provide the bullets Leeds have recently been badly missing.
Billy Davies’ side are slight favourites on current form, having remained unbeaten in their last eight matches, including a 2-0 success against a much-changed Leeds side in last week’s dress rehearsal at Deepdale.
Sean Gregan, Eddie Lewis and David Healy will all be facing their former club, while a fourth ex-Preston player now at Leeds, striker Richard Cresswell, misses out after sustaining a season-ending knee injury in February.
Blackwell admitted his own determination to succeed is steeled by the all-too-recent memory of relegation and that his side were in fact ahead of schedule in their bid to get back to the Premiership.
“It was a desperate time because I was watching everything fold around us, but wasn’t able to do anything about it,” he said.
“It was the most frustrating time in my career – I knew we were heading for the wall, but I could not stop the car.
“I want to see this club back, the Premiership wants Leeds United back.
“After we were relegated I expected it to be a three-year process to get back. I thought the first year would be to stop the slide and then the second would be all about consolidation. The third would then be going for promotion.
“So we find ourselves 12 months ahead of where we wanted to be.”
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