Match Reaction From The Leeds Camp

Last updated : 17 May 2008 By Thetashkentterror
Gary McAllister
White boss Gary McAllister spoke to the assembled press about his side's 2-0 win at Brunton Park tonight that saw Leeds qualify for the League One play-off final 3-2 on aggregate, McAllister dedicating the victory to the fans :


"I know what 40,000 of them sound like. I've been in front of them before and tonight again they were fantastic and the Leeds fans know that. That was for them tonight. The players would be first to admit that. It was a bit of a damp squib on Monday night at Elland Road, but I think the fans got the reaction they wanted.

"I'm very proud of the players and pleased for the players. Everything that's been put in front of them they've dealt with and I've not heard one murmur of complaint. We move on again. Slightly closer to the Championship. I don't want to be a killjoy, but nothing's been achieved yet. We've still got to go and try and win a game at Wembley.

"The ugly side of our game was missing the other night. We didn't win any headers or tackles or ugly bouncy balls, Carlisle were first to most. But we reversed it tonight. And you know what I feel about Jon Howson. He's been an ever-present since I arrived and he's a young man with great potential. We keep drip-feeding him information so as not to try and stifle him. He's got a lot of raw energy and power, so we're just going to try and protect him and make him progress as a footballer."



Meanwhile double Leeds goalscorer Jonny Howson commented :

"If Gary McAllister had put me on the bench, I would have had no complaints. The other night (Monday) I was way below my standard but I can put it down to being one of those games. As soon as I found out I was starting, I thought 'I have got to repay him' because he kept faith with me.

"The thought that he would drop me had crossed my mind a few times because I had been nowhere near the performance I was capable of. But he had a word with me, said I wasn't good enough on Monday and that I needed to up it.

"I was very confident we could go to Carlisle and win. The first goal was always going to be important so it was great to get that. And when the second one went in the net, I didn't know how to react. It was a brilliant feeling. We have been through a lot as a team this season but, in a funny way, everything that has happened has brought us together. If I was not playing for Leeds, I would have been at Carlisle as a fan or watching it on television.

"Going to Wembley is a massive achievement but we can't settle for that. I have never been before. I did go to Cardiff a couple of years ago when we got to the play-off final but this will be something else. All I will have to do now is find enough tickets to go round. I had a few requests before the game from my friends asking if they could have one if we got to Wembley. I will do my best for them."