A slight lack of cutting edge and switching off at the back at crucial moments has already cost potential crucial points in the Elland Road games against Oldham and Bristol Rovers and lessons will have to have been learned.

Gary McAllister sees no reason to panic, however, that the Whites have only collected five points so far as the side is certainly controlling games more than last season and playing a much more entertaining brand of passing football. The supporters are getting behind this new approach too, but the big question is how long can everyone stay patient?

"We threw everything at them (Bristol Rovers) and had the ball for most of the time. We dominated from minute one but we switched off at two vital moments, which is becoming a habit, " said McAllister.

"Our keeper David Lucas only had to touch the ball twice - and that was to pick the ball out of the net, so we are not happy with a point. We need to improve our decision-making in the final third of the pitch."

The Leeds boss was pleased with the contribution of Jermaine Beckford, however, as the striker definitely added one goal to his increasingly impressive tally and may be given another if the Football League rules that his on target shot that went in off defender Steve Elliott should also count against his name.

"It only takes a split second for him to produce a bit of magic and his finishing was top drawer," said McAllister.

"I'm just trying to emphasise where he can actually go with his game and what he can achieve. He's got to get better at certain aspects of his game, but we know if we can get any decent ball through to him - in one-on-one's or balls across the face of goal - he's capable of all sorts of different finishes."

United now come up against a former strike partner of Beckford when they take on a Crewe side which contains Anthony Elding who moved to Gresty Road this summer after a shortlived stay at Leeds.

After feeling he was hard done to by Leeds, Elding will be chomping at the bit and he already has three goals this season to indicate he will be a real danger man in a game that already has a feel of a must win for the Whites.

The football transfer deadline came and went without much activity at Elland Road on Monday, aside from the club releasing French winger Seb Carole.

Carole had his contract terminated by mutual consent after being relegated out of the first team picture this season. He came to Leeds on a free transfer in 2006 and made 52 appearances, scoring three goals.

One deadline day deal of note to Leeds fans was the free transfer of Dougie Freedman to Southend from Crystal Palace.

United have been drawn at home to Hartlepool in the third round of the Carling Cup with the tie to take place on Tuesday, September 23 (7.45pm kick-off).