Leeds United boss Wise: It's not about Blackwell
DENNIS WISE is putting Kevin Blackwell's return to Leeds United to the back of his mind after insisting tomorrow's clash with Luton Town is not a personal showdown between the two managers.
Blackwell is poised for his first outing at Elland Road since his sacking by Leeds last September, but reigning United boss Wise is anxious to divert attention away from his predecessor after inspiring Leeds to an impeccable run of league form.
Wise was named League One's manager of the month for August yesterday following United's sequence of three successive victories, but tomorrow's fixture will bring Leeds together with another of the form clubs in England's third tier.
Luton have taken six points from their first three fixtures, lifting them to fourth in the division, and Blackwell's side eliminated Premiership club Sunderland from the Carling Cup on Tuesday night.
The 48-year-old is aiming to mark his return to Elland Road by breaking United's perfect league record, and he will be joined in the away dug-out by former Leeds coaches Sam Ellis and John Carver.
Blackwell was sacked by United just 10 games into the 2006-07 season, and less than four months after taking the club to the Championship play-off final.
Wise, who was today being linked with a deadline-day move for Sunderland midfielder Graham Kavanagh, said: "I'm sure Mr Blackwell, Mr Carver and Mr Ellis will be paying more attention to this game than others. They would love to shove it down our throats and beat us. But this isn't about Blackwell and him being the ex-manager. It's about Leeds versus Luton and getting three points.
"We know a lot about them and it's going to be a good game. They're doing very well.
"I think they'll be very cautious in the way that they play and it's going to be tight – they'll try to keep us quiet and we have to be patient.
"I'd like it to be an open game and it would be fantastic for us if it was because I think we've got more pace than them and I think we'd cause them more problems than they'd cause us."
Blackwell's presence has added anticipation to a fixture which was already expected to attract a large crowd on the back of United's victories over Tranmere, Southend and Nottingham Forest.
Their dramatic 2-1 win in Nottingham last weekend secured the manager of the month award for Wise, although United's boss admitted the accolade could not dampen his continuing sense of injustice created by the Football League's decision to deduct 15 points before the start of the season.
Leeds are still two wins from clearing their deficit despite their consistent run of results, but Wise's players will have the chance to reach zero points against Hartlepool next weekend if they overcome Luton tomorrow.
After being notified of his award, Wise said: "After what they've done to us this is like a little tap on the back saying 'we do apologise, here's manager of the month'.
"I'd rather have my 15 points back than manager of the month. It means not too much to me, to be honest.
"Nothing from the Football League this year will be going near my mantelpiece, or any trophies I've got on my mantelpiece.
"I just can't accept what they've done to us, but I don't want to keep on about it. I think that's enough now."
United enjoyed initial success in the transfer maket this morning, securing goalkeeper Alan Martin on a two-year contract from Motherwell. Leeds have an option to extend the deal by a further 12 months.
Leeds were chasing a number of other targets after previously lodging bids for Hibernian's Rob Jones and Tranmere's Steve Davies, and they have been monitoring Blackpool's Shaun Barker and Leicester duo Elvis Hammond and Matty Fryatt.
Wise is also understood to have cast his eye over Kavanagh during Sunderland's reserve clash with Newcastle last night.
But Wolves striker Jemal Johnson was unlikely to return to Elland Road after lining up a move to MK Dons.
YEP
