Prutton keen to make amends

Prutton: Confident

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David Prutton is hoping that his second experience of the play-offs goes better than his first.

The combative midfielder was involved in the end of season shake-up for the first time during a loan spell at Nottingham Forest last term.

Things appeared to be going well for Forest after a 2-0 first leg victory away at Yeovil, but in a remarkable game at the City Ground the Glovers turned the tie around to record a 5-4 aggregate win.

Prutton had started the second leg on the bench, but less than half-an-hour after entering the fray he was dismissed for two bookable offences.

He insists that he has had little time to dwell on the disappointment, but is determined to ensure that he does not suffer the same fate this time around.

Proud

"Some people may think it is weird to say this, but I have not really had chance to think about what happened in the play-offs last season," Prutton told the Yorkshire Post.

"There has been so much going on in the last 12 months that there just has not been time. Anyway, it is something that is in the past - I can't change it. But maybe Leeds getting into the play-offs is a nice chance to do something positive.

"Obviously, it would not be something to look back fondly on anyway, though in the grand scheme of things maybe if it had not happened like it did then I would not have been at Leeds.

"It was a big disappointment, of course it was. It is why I was made up that Forest went up (last Saturday) because I have friends there. Maybe it was a year later than they thought it would be but everyone at the club can be proud."

Impressed

If Leeds are to join Forest in the Championship next season then they must first overcome Carlisle in a two-legged semi-final.

The Cumbrians may have suffered an end-of-season dip in form which saw them slip out of the automatic promotion places but they will provide a stern test of the Whites' credentials.

Leeds have performed admirably against John Ward's men this season though and, despite going down 3-1 at Brunton Park earlier in the season, Prutton is adamant that Gary McAllister's side have what it takes to set up a date at Wembley.

"We did really well up there in the first half but ended up losing. And then at Elland Road (in April), I was really impressed with our team and I felt we deserved the (3-2) win.

"If we play as well as we can, we will fancy our chances against any of the other three clubs in the play-offs.

Fear

"The crowd can play a big part in the first leg.

"They were great against Gillingham (when the Football League's biggest crowd of the season witnessed a 2-1 win by United). I know there were rumbles at half-time when we were losing but to see the whole ground packed out galvanised us.

"They are very loyal. It makes a hell of a difference. The opposition come here and see 40,000 people, that can really help us.

"There is a little fear factor in other teams."