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McAllister has defensive concerns

Gary McAllister
McAllister's side have won their last six home games

Leeds United manager Gary McAllister has said that his side still make too many defensive errors after Tuesday's 2-1 win over Leyton Orient.

Leeds have kept just three clean sheets all season.

"We did create chances but there's a little bit of a concern over the chances we gave up at the other end," McAllister told BBC Radio Leeds.

"It was sometimes being done on the counter and lapses of concentration, and we've got to eradicate that."

The win at Elland Road moved Leeds up to fourth in the League One and McAllister felt the scoreline could have been more flattering.

"I thought we showed a lot of character and the way we're approaching the games and trying to get the ball down and pass and create openings - we're delighted we did create a lot of chances.

"On another night, our leading marksman [Jermaine Beckford] could have scored three or four, but we're not just playing this sort of style to try to look good or to play for claps from the crowd - the objective is to create chances at the end of it."

McAllister also backed Beckford to bounce back from his early penalty miss.

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"He was wearing studs tonight and when that standing foot goes, you've got no chance.

"It happened to John Terry in one of the biggest occasions that European football serves up [last season's Champions League final], and it's happened to Jermaine tonight.

"He is disappointed and a wee bit frustrated that he didn't get on the scoresheet but if we keep creating chances like we did tonight, then he's going to bag a few."

As well as the missed penalty, Beckford hit the woodwork three times, leaving strike partner Luciano Becchio to score the winner.

"I thought the way he led the line tonight was excellent," McAllister said about the Argentine striker.

"He wins his fair share of headers, he takes a lot of hammer, and I think he just generally links the team up pretty well.

If we get some decent balls into the box then I'm sure he'll get his fair share as well

Leeds boss Gary McAllister on Luciano Becchio

"The way he gets the ball into feet and brings others into the game is very pleasing for me because that's what we bought him for.

"He's taken a bit of the heat off Jermaine up the front and I thought he was a handful tonight.

"If we get some decent balls into the box then I'm sure he'll get his fair share as well."

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see also
Leeds 2-1 Leyton Orient
21 Oct 08 |  League One


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