DANNY Pugh believes he can follow Gordon Strachan's example by winning over Leeds fans who detest Manchester United.

Pugh arrived at Elland Road yesterday as part of the controversial deal that took Alan Smith to Old Trafford.

The 21-year-old left-sided player knows he has a battle on his hands to cut through the bitter cross-Pennines prejudice.

Strachan, who captained Leeds to the championship in 1992, became an Elland Road favourite despite his long stay at Manchester United, and Pugh said: "If I have half the impact Gordon Strachan had for Leeds I'll have made a great start.

"I don't know how the fans will take to me but if I am performing well on the pitch then I am sure they won't have a problem with me. Then it won't matter who I played for. As long as I am doing a good job for Leeds United, things will go well."

Pugh is the first signing for new manager Kevin Blackwell who expects teenage prodigy James Milner to benefit from the newcomer's arrival.

Milner played out of position on Leeds' left flank last season, so loan signing Jermaine Pennant could slot in on the right.

Now Pennant has returned to Arsenal and Blackwell said: "Danny is left-footed and James prefers his right. So Danny's arrival will help us move James to the right or even up front."

Blackwell's next target is Aston Villa striker or central defender Dion Dublin, who is also wanted by Blackwell's former boss at Leeds, Peter Reid, now in charge at Coventry.

Blackwell admitted he was proud to have landed a job many would have avoided like the plague. With little cash to spend and the need to offload a host of overpaid players, Blackwell looks to be on a hiding to nothing.

But he said: "I am very proud. I set off along a route in my coaching career eight or nine years ago determined to learn my trade. I wanted to do that from top to bottom and have done it with a lot of Yorkshire clubs.

"I turned down four or five offers to become a manager because I didn't think I was ready. But now I have a real grasp of everything and am highly qualifed. This is the right club at the right time for me.

"I was prepared to wait. No disrespect to some of the clubs who offered me a chance, but at the time I was working at a higher level as a coach.

"I felt the next step would be to manage at a higher level so rather than take the first job that came along I was prepared to wait. I think that has been proved to be the right decision."

Blackwell has had a chat with managing director David Richmond about his plans for the future and said: "One would hope as a manager that you get as much money as possible to spend. It means your job is significantly easier as you can sign better quality players."

Leeds fans have still to decide whether to invite Alan Smith to receive his Player of the Season award at their annual dinner and dance next season.

An executive meeting of the Supporters' Club was held last night but the thorny question of Smith's award was not on the agenda.

Some fans are unwilling to forgive Smith for joining arch-rivals Manchester United, while others believe the transfer should be regarded as water under the bridge.

A decision on whether Smith should be invited will be made when the dust has settled.

Smith has won the Supporters' Club Player of the Year award for the last two seasons.

Updated: 10:53 Friday, May 28, 2004