Leeds eye 'fantastic achievement'

Leeds eye 'fantastic achievement' LEAGUE ONE PLAY-OFF FINAL
Venue: Wembley Date: Sunday, 25 MayKick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Leeds & BBC Sport website

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I've never heard one word of complaint from them and they've never felt sorry for themselves. They've just got on with it Gary McAllister on his players

Leeds boss Gary McAllister believes winning promotion to the Championship on Sunday would rank among the club's greatest achievements in its history.

Leeds have defied the odds to reach the play-off final after being deducted 15 points for breaking insolvency rules.

Their reward for 27 league wins is a Yorkshire derby with Doncaster Rovers.

"We are 90 minutes away from what I believe would be a fantastic achievement by this group of players," McAllister told BBC Radio Leeds.

The former Scotland international midfielder took over the reigns at Elland Road in January, following Dennis Wise's controversial move to Newcastle United.

Wise had installed a siege mentality, using the "injustice" felt by the club at the Football League's punishment as motivation.

It worked, as Leeds won their first five league matches and wiped out the 15-point deduction.

606:DEBATE We can beat them and if we perform to our best abilities, we will beat Doncaster Rovers King Jag

It took 14 games before Leeds lost to a League One club.

However chairman Ken Bates' club could not sustain such high momentum and come the end of Wise's time in charge Leeds' form had dropped dramatically.

The waning belief affected the start of McAllister's reign at Elland Road, as he was forced to wait five games before enjoying a victory as manager.

McAllister then guided Leeds to just one defeat in their last 10 league matches to secure a play-off place.

"The players have worked hard to buy into anything we have tried to get across to them. The work rate and enthusiasm is something I knew was already here and I haven't been let down by that," he explained.

"It's been a very hard season for the players. The 15 points was a major blow to the lads, and then they've had to get use to a new guy coming in and they had to buy into that.

"But I've never heard one word of complaint from them and they've never felt sorry for themselves. They've just got on with it.

"The players have realised over this season what the ambition of the club is. It comes with the territory, if you want to be a player at Leeds this is part of it."

The former Leeds, Liverpool and Coventry player is used to the big occasion, as he won the League Championship with Leeds in 1992, and lifted three trophies in the 2000/01 season at Liverpool.

However Sunday's clash with Yorkshire rivals Doncaster this will be his first experience on the big stage as a manager.

"It's not quite the same as being a player, but it's the closest it can get. Of course there are butterflies and there is excitement.

I'm proud of taking the team to Wembley, but the proudest moment will be if we get the right result Gary McAllister

"The major piece of advice I'll be passing on to the players is to not let the occasion pass you by, because it does go by quick.

"We have worked very hard to get to this week. So as much as we have to enjoy it we have to realise Wembley is a place of work.

"I'm proud of taking the team to Wembley, but the proudest moment will be if we get the right result."

BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope, Eddie Gray and the team will broadcast live from Wembley at 1330 BST.