[LU] LORIMER: Let's seal our play-off spot – and rest up!

[John Boocock]

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/leedsunited/LORIMER-Let39s-seal-our-playoff.3996191.jp

LORIMER: Let's seal our play-off spot – and rest up!

By Peter Lorimer

Talking Soccer
There is never a good time for a club to suffer injuries or suspensions 
but this is the time of year when managers across the country cross 
their fingers more tightly than ever.
At Leeds United, Gary McAllister is blessed with a large and talented 
squad, and it is fair to say that Leeds are as well-equipped as any 
other club to cope with the play-offs.

But the business end of the season is the time when you need your most 
capable players fit and available, and United need every key player 
available for the weeks to come.

Leeds lost Alan Sheehan to a two-match ban after their win over 
Doncaster Rovers, and Jonathan Douglas will miss tomorrow's game at 
Millwall on the back of the red card he picked up against Huddersfield 
Town on Tuesday night.

Jermaine Beckford's fitness, meanwhile, was such a concern that Gary was 
not prepared to risk him at the Galpharm Stadium, and it's for these 
reasons that I hope to see United tie up a play-off position this weekend.

Walsall, Brighton and Tranmere Rovers will need to drop points in order 
for Leeds to achieve that, but the sooner sixth-place is secured the better.

A couple of dead rubbers ahead of the play-offs would give Gary the 
chance to rest those players who need it and to hold back those players 
who are carrying a sizeable or dangerous tally of cautions.

No doubt he wants to finish the term in style and head into the 
play-offs as the form team – assuming, that is, that the arbitration 
panel which met this week does not offer Leeds a greater prize – but it 
would be nice from his point of view to play out the regular term with 
the minimum of pressure on him and his squad.

The year as a whole has been very demanding and McAllister's 
introduction to the manager's job has been a stressful one, but he will 
share my opinion that United at their strongest have every chance of 
winning the play-offs.

A small or empty list of absentees will help no end.

To guarantee sixth place tomorrow Leeds must keep their side of the 
bargain by producing a victory at the New Den, and it is slightly 
frustrating that Tuesday's West Yorkshire derby went the way of 
Huddersfield.

The game proved once again that form is no factor in derby matches, and 
I'd have to say that Huddersfield deserved their win.

Speaking to their caretaker, Gerry Murphy, afterwards, he was at a loss 
to explain why the Terriers are unable to play like that every week.

Clearly, Leeds missed the pace of Beckford up front and resorted more to 
the type of direct tactics that were in use at the start of the season, 
but I'm sure it will prove to be a minor blip.

Millwall won't roll over tomorrow – their fans wouldn't have it, 
especially not against Leeds – but I can't see Gary's players struggling 
with the atmosphere.