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"The fans are very vocal and it is clear they want it (promotion) as much as the players. They are like the 12th and 13th man. I played in front of this crowd, but I have also been back a few times since then such as when Leeds were in the Champions League. It (Gillingham) reminded me a little bit of that.
"Elland Road is a special arena when it is full. It was good to have the near 40,000 crowd last week because for a few of the guys who played against Gillingham, it was new. And those sort of numbers can rock you back on your feet. So, it was nice to have that dress rehearsal.
"We have got to feed them, rather than them feed us. We need to give them something to shout about. It is not a case of us expecting the crowd to take us over the line. We have to get on top of our opponents and give the fans something to shout about. Crowds affect players differently, but I feel I have players who, in the heat of the battle, will do the things I expect.
"Atmosphere and big crowds affect people differently. I always felt, as a player, going into a full stadium was something that helped me. I used it to my advantage. It is why I want to affect Carlisle as a team and not rely on the crowd. This club needs and warrants football at a higher level. That is what we are trying to achieve, get Leeds back into the second tier. And then, one day, back into the Premier League.
"The players are very much aware they have won 27 games and they have every right to go into these play-off games with confidence. It will be tense, but it is who deals with that. I would be disappointed if the players weren't tense. It is using it to your advantage rather than letting it affect you that is key."
"The quick turnaround is not a problem. We have a nice mix of experience and young legs who are bursting to go. They are good athletes. At times, we have been forced to rest players with injuries, but we arrive at this point looking quite fresh.
"I can see a buzz around training, people want to try to impress and try to get in that starting line-up. It's been good and everyone's busting to go. It'll be a fast and furious affair, and there'll be nervous moments, but the players have to be aware there will be times to turn things down, hit that pass, and be a bit calmer.
"We've got to realise they'll be up for it as well. There's a lot at stake for them. They've achieved a lot in recent seasons, and we're fully aware of that. They also beat us up there, and we beat them here, so there's not a lot in it. That's where my style of managing comes in. I may not have the management experience of some, but I've played a lot of football. I've played in two legged home and away games, and we won the UEFA Cup at Liverpool not that long ago.
"You can't panic if things don't go right early on. We have 180 minutes to get ahead of Carlisle. We have to stay focused and keep concentrating. You can be 2-0 down after ten minutes or 3-0 up after the first game, but you can't take anything for granted. There's a lot of anticpation and expectation, but the day Leeds United fans lose that, and the drive to get in the league we should be in, would be a sad day.
"Its exciting for the players and the fans, but us needing to think we only have to turn up isn't right. I respect our fans, and we appreciate their support, but I want them to get behind us on the back of us playing well. We've got to produce and work hard to get where I feel the players deserve to be."