McAllister: Crowd will be our 12th man

6:51pm Sunday 11th May 2008

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Gary McAllister expects the same kind of electric atmosphere generated at Elland Road tomorrow as during Leeds' Champions League quest.

And the Leeds United manager believes performing in front of over 38,000 people for a League One contest against Gillingham nine days ago was the perfect dress rehearsal for his team's play-off semi-final first leg against Carlisle.

McAllister knows nerves will be jangling when the two teams take to the pitch, watched by another massive crowd which could give Leeds the edge.

He said: "I have been at Elland Road as a fan on Leeds' Champions League nights and it is a special arena when it is full. Atmospheres and big crowds affect players differently. When I was playing I used them to my advantage. I hope I have enough players who are inspired by big crowds because ours is like a 12th man.

"It was good to have such a big attendance against Gillingham because it was a new experience for some of the players - an ideal dress rehearsal, though we know we have to give the fans something to shout about."

McAllister rates Leeds as the form team but insists: "We have loads of respect for Carlisle. They have stumbled a bit in recent games and we've had a good run but strange things have happened in the past and form sometimes goes out of the window.

"I am expecting us to be fired up. I have players who can produce in the heat of the battle. They need to stay calm, show a bit of quality and guile and hit that winning pass or goal.

"The players have won 27 games so they have every right to go into the play-offs with confidence."

Leeds' Carlisle-born defender Paul Huntington will be a target for visiting fans after he taunted them with gestures during a 3-2 win at Elland Road last month.

Jermaine Beckford returns after injury tomorrow.

Friday's play-off between Southend and Doncaster ended goalless.