[goldenHuddlestone]

Under-fire Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell has reopened old wounds by blaming his sides dreadful run of form on the ill-fated Peter Ridsdale era. Blackwells position became ever more perilous after last nights morale-sapping 3-0 home defeat by resurgent Sunderland. It was Leeds third straight home loss and condemned them to their lowest league position since August 31, 1985 to leave fans again calling for Blackwells head.

Yet the Leeds boss, who took the helm following the clubs relegation from the Premiership in 2004, insists his hands are tied. Although Ken Bates takeover in January 2005 transformed the clubs financial health, there is little or no money available to fund the loan signings which Blackwell desperately needs to offset his sides injury list. "The squad is paper thin and weve been trying to bring in loan signings but the chairman says the finances at the moment are quite tight," said Blackwell.

"Two years ago, we didnt have a team to start with and we havent been afforded the finances to develop the club as I would like it to. As a manager, it frustrates me - and its very difficult to accept - but you have to. This isnt about Kevin Blackwell; this is about the safety of Leeds United Football Club. Thats what I did when I came in, was to save the club. But we havent been able to strengthen in the areas that we knew we needed to because we have a financial burden at the football club which needs to be addressed."

The "financial burden" Blackwell refers to is the debt which Leeds became saddled with following the overspending which characterised Ridsdales tenure and drove the club to the brink of liquidation. Blackwell revealed last week the debt could be reduced from £121million to as little as £4million within a year. In the meantime, though, he is being forced to work on a shoestring budget after last seasons play-off final defeat against Watford.

Blackwell spent little money during the summer and saw striker Rob Hulse sold to Sheffield United for £2million. Leeds supporters are showing little sympathy for their managers plight as chants of Blackwell, time to go again rang out around Elland Road for the second time in the space of four days. However, Blackwell insisted he is going nowhere.

He said: "Im going to keep on doing my job and Ive already turned this club around from nothing. If you look where weve come from, with no players, then I think I can turn this around - no problem. I think the fans are fed up with what has happened at Leeds. They can see a situation at Sunderland, where someone comes along and pumps millions into the club - and they think why cant it be us? Theyve had four or five years of being kicked where it hurts and theyve seen their best players being sold. I think the fans need to know the real truth about this football club - but I dont think it will come out in the short term. I think in the long term people will realise what a good job has been done at this football club."

In stark contrast to Blackwell, Sunderland boss Roy Keane has been afforded the funds which allowed him to bring in several new players. The Irishman, who is threatening to turn a team of losers into serious promotion contenders, said: "I spoke during the last few weeks about character, spirit and desire of the players - but on top of that you need good players with talent. They showed that against Leeds, and Im proud of them. The new players have helped, but Id also like to give credit to the ones who were already here."

[Jedi Knight]

this has been touched upon in a previous Leeds thread. A new manager will still have to work under these severe financial constraints so i don't think sacking Blackwell will achieve anything

[goldenHuddlestone]

and theyd be at a disadvantage in as much as they would have to start from scrath where i can only presumer that Blackwell has a plan