Since the former Scotland international was appointed earlier this year, United have lost as many home games as they have won in his 11 games in charge.

Oldham Athletic were the latest side to leave West Yorkshire with all three points a week last Saturday to ensure United's home campaign in League One got off to the worst possible start.

Tranmere Rovers, Cheltenham Town and Carlisle United also beat McAllister's side at Elland Road last season and the Leeds manager is calling for a huge improvement as United prepare for a run of four consecutive games on home turf – starting with tonight's Carling Cup second round tie against Crystal Palace.

The Leeds manager said: "It is important for us. We have a run of four home games and home form has not been particularly good since I took over.

"I am going to use these four games to get the players in a frame of mind to be positive and play in front of a crowd at Elland Road.

"I am looking for players who can cope with it."

It seems likely, with the transfer window being less than a week away from closing and United already having a huge squad, that any improvement will have to come from within the club's ranks.

McAllister has already made five signings during the summer with Robert Snodgrass, Andy Robinson, Alan Sheehan, Enoch Showunmi and Luccio Becchio having arrived at Elland Road.

But he has admitted that any future arrivals are unlikely until some of the players on the fringe of his squad follow Antony Elding out of the club.

The Leeds manager said: "I have to be honest and say that we need people to go out of the club before there is any movement coming in.

"There are a few players who know they have become surplus here, their chances of first team football having lessened.

"I think most people are aware of that so people coming into here will be dictated by people going out."

There are likely to be changes tonight with McAllister hinting after the weekend draw at Yeovil Town that he may be tempted to give several of those who were on the bench their chance.

The Leeds chief added: "You look at our bench and the people we had sitting in the stand. The starting XI didn't really change but we have four home games now and we are looking for people to step up to the plate."

United do not have the best of records in the League Cup under its various guises with the club having gone past the third round stage just once in eight attempts.

Last season, they crashed out at the second round stage with a 3-0 defeat at Portsmouth and McAllister accepts tonight's tie against Championship outfit Palace will be a huge test for his men.

He said: "It is a good barometer for the players to see where they are at, playing against a team from the division above.

"There's also the added spice of Neil Warnock coming back to Elland Road – I think it is a ground he likes coming to with his teams.

"The league is our first target, but I am of the thinking that a good cup run lifts morale and lifts the city.

"I have played against Neil's teams before and I know the style of his teams and we will be able to compete."

The presence of Warnock in the away dugout is certain to bring an extra edge to tonight's tie with the former Sheffield United manager not being the most popular among the Elland Road faithful.

One face familiar to Leeds fans who will not feature, however, is Shaun Derry after the Palace midfielder was shown a straight red card in the weekend goalless draw at home to Burnley.

The sending off means the tough-tackling midfielder will have to miss the return to his old club, though Warnock has joked that he might make the player travel anyway.

The Palace manager said: "I told him that if he didn't want to go to Leeds then he didn't have to do that.

"I think I might take him with us as punishment."

Last six games: Leeds United WLWWLD, Crystal Palace LLDWLD.

Referee: K Friend (Leicestershire).

Last time: Leeds United 2 Crystal Palace 1; February 10, 2007; Championship.