McAllister targets treble victory

McAllister is happy there is competition for places in the Leeds squad (Getty)

Leeds United manager Gary McAllister has set his side a target of three wins in eight days to keep up their promotion push.

Leeds beat Bournemouth 2-0 on Saturday, and now host strugglers Cheltenham on Tuesday before going to bottom club Port Vale at the weekend.

McAllister told BBC Radio Leeds: "Before the game I made it clear to the lads it was a big week.

"We're playing against three teams at the bottom, and we've started well."

The win moved Leeds to within a point and a place of the League One play-offs, but McAllister has refused to reveal the points target he has set his side for the season.

"The targets will remain between me and the players.

"I don't want to be shouting my head off, but we know what's required and that's a good start to this little group of games."

The win over Bournemouth was the first time the Leeds manager had been able to field an unchanged side since taking charge at Elland Road, and he felt it paid dividends.

"You want a bit of continuity, people getting used to the system, getting used to how we want to play.

I feel if you're going to challenge up in the top-half you need goals from the middle of the park Leeds manager Gary McAllister

"There's also nice competition there as well," he added.

"I've said to the players that they've got the jersey at the moment and it's up to the other ones to try to get them out of the team."

With his established strikers Jermaine Beckford and Tresor Kandol failing to find the net on Saturday, McAllister was especially pleased with the efforts of his midfielders, as Neil Kilkenny and Bradley Johnson opened their accounts for the club.

"We've got two guys who have proved already this season that they can score goals, but I feel if you're going to challenge up in the top-half you need goals from the middle of the park.

"It's nice to see our two midfielders scoring and I thought the goal from Kilkenny was an excellent take. Good disguise, gave the keeper the eyes and just wrong-footed him."

Listen to live match coverage of Leeds United v Cheltenham Town on Tuesday, 11 March on BBC Radio Leeds, followed by the Leeds United phone in. Coverage starts at 1900 GMT