Blackstock's goal scoring record does not jump off the stats page, around one goal every four games, and his chances at the City Ground have been pretty much non-existent of late following a flurry of new signings - but interestingly he has agreed to join Leeds without any "guarantees" of a starting place.
It is very unlikely - barring any injury concerns - that he will feature from the start at Huddersfield and will probably be content with a place on the bench - having watched United's impressive display against a poor Birmingham outfit. “I watched them on Sunday and it was a very good performance, a very comfortable victory. I’m here for when the manager needs me and he’ll pick a team he thinks will win. Every game’s different but I’m ready to come off the bench or do whatever the manager needs me to do. I’m here for three months, not one game, and I’m raring to go. If needed I’m definitely ready. Before I agreed to come, I sat down with the manager and went through his plans. I was very impressed with what he had to say. There were a few clubs interested in taking me but as soon as a club like Leeds come in, it’s very difficult for other clubs to compete. It ticked all the boxes. The ambition’s here for this club to move forward and I imagine the expectation’s very high, just like Nottingham Forest where the fans demand good football and entertaining games. The club seem to be moving in the right direction and I wanted to be part of that".
Blackstock talked of his frustration about not being involved at Forest - suggesting "It would have been fairly easy for me to stay at Forest and be bit-part but I’ve never done that during my career. I’ve never been bit part at any of my clubs and I was missing playing on a Saturday afternoon. I’ve not played a lot of games but my fitness feels good. In terms of match fitness, you’re not going to get that without playing and you’re never going to get sharp until you play games but I’m raring to go when the manager needs me and it’s on my mind to impress".
With Blackstock still tied to a 4 and a half year contract with Forest, neither he nor BM would commit themselves on the possibility of the loan agreement becoming a permanent deal - sensibly opting to assess the situation at the end of the current arrangement - which takes us to the Januuary window. Blackstock stated “What surprises you in football these days? Very little in terms of things changing quickly. That’s what happens. I’ve been at Forest for almost five years and it’s a big part of me. I’ve still got a long-term contract there and it’s definitely not over completely. It’s a case of me coming out and getting games under my belt.
In terms of a permanent deal, I can’t really talk about that because there’s no agreement between the two clubs. It’s strictly a loan for three months and it’s something we’d have to sit down and reassess in January.
Both parties at the moment are fixed on a loan but you never know what the future will bring and all I know is that for the time I’m here I’ll do my best for the club, help us pick up some results and move up the table.”
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