Blackwell: 110 Per Cent Effort

Last updated : 09 August 2004 By Kevin Markey
Blackwell was taken aback by the reception for his first real game in charge at Elland Road and felt the crowd played a massive role in the 1-0 win over Derby.

As he prepares his team for tomorrow night's trip to Gillingham, Blackwell said in the Yorkshire Post: "Wherever we go, be it the Arctic Circle or Gillingham, there will be plenty of Leeds fans there. We got 110 per cent out of every fan on Saturday and my job is to make sure that the players give 110 per cent to match their dreams and aspirations.

"The first thing that fans of this football club want to know is 'Do you want to play for Leeds United?' Yes, you do? Well, if you give me everything, we will forgive you if you lack a little bit of ability. The atmosphere was special, they shouted us home,'' he added.

"We were vulnerable at 1-0 because we didn't finish the game off. But when we needed that bit extra, the fans did it for us, they blew the ball out of the goal at least once. They cheered every tackle."