United media officer and first team kitman Andy Hall (AH) spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's James Phillips (JP) ahead of Carlisle's League One match away to Brighton, Hall first talking about the dire view of the pitch that Blues fans get at the Withdean Stadium :
AH
They are paying full price as well aren't they, which does seem a little bit unfair, but that is the policy of the team and the ground so they have to go with it. That is why there is a smattering there, I think it will fill up but fans who sit behind there won't be joining that campaign I wouldn't think. Because, when it rains, when the wind is blowing, you can barely see the football at all. I know the last time we were here people were asking us on the way out who scored the Carlisle goals, that shouldn't be the way when you are paying to see a football match.
JP
Of that smattering of fans, one of the supporters groups that come away with Carlisle have made it their big weekend, they have had a long weekend down here, I know this because I bumped into them last night in Brighton, a lovely group they are as well. They said when they were here in 2005-06 they were actually ringing friends back in Cumbria and asking them who got the goals, the people who were listening to the match, because they were just so far away they couldn't see.
AH
Yeah, it shouldn't be the way, the Goldstone Ground, anybody who went there will know that the latter part of the (Bill) Archer and (David) Bellotti reign, it was falling to pieces, they had to move, they have done all kinds of things haven't they, they have been across into Kent even to groundshare to try to get football played. So, I think they will be as pleased as anybody else that this new ground (Falmer Stadium) is ready.
JP
Yeah, I am told the new ground, and we may not get to visit it next year, maybe Carlisle put a late surge on because it does look like Brighton are going up, but I am told it is like a mini Eastlands so it should be exciting for those teams in the Championship next year who won't have had to serve the trial of coming to the Withdean Stadium. Onto the game itself, everything the stadium lacks the team makes up for, Brighton, they are a super team and United will have to be at their best?
AH
Quality isn't it, Gus Poyet has got them playing football as well, and you like to see that, the teams playing football, you want them to be doing well. They will certainly do it here today, they enjoy playing at the Withdean whether they like the stadium or not, they haven't been beaten so it is a massive task for us.
But, who knows you know, we are on this little run of ours, the away form is particularly impressive. One of the best performances of the season on Tuesday night, so confidence is high, I can tell you that for definite. Even though Greg (Abbott) has said we have got to respect this side, don't give them too much respect, go out there, win the battles, play your football and let's see what that brings us.
JP
Against teams who want to play football, want to win at football, want to play the beautiful game which no doubt Gus Poyet will have his Brighton side playing, United have historically done better under Greg Abbott, they have at times found the games that are less about the physical aspect are the games that they do well in, is that the hope again today then?
AH
It is, but I think there is a slightly different edge to Gus Poyet's team because there is a little bit of a physical aspect as well. They are able to slug it out and I think that is why they are at the top of the table, once they have won their battles that is when they start playing football. They have got players upfront, one who we know all about (Glenn Murray) who are able to put it away when it comes.
JP
Looking down their squad list in general, Francisco Sandaza, Marcos Painter, Cristian Baz, there are a number of fabulously... Agustin Battipiedi, there are some fantastic names in there and to look out at their team warming up, there are shocks of hair on a number of them from the Spanish and the Argentine, the assistant manager Mauricio Taricco has a great big shock of long hair. There is a great big barnet in the Carlisle ranks, tell us about your new man (Harry Arter) as well?
AH
Yeah, he is, he is looking very South Coast-ish isn't he with his flowing locks. But, he joined us yesterday, we had a mini training session on Preston Park on the way down London Road in Brighton and he was straight in amongst the banter. He sung a song at the evening meal last night which took everybody by surprise, so he is a confident lad, and he is really looking forward to getting his teeth into it. Hopefully we will get to see a bit of him today.
JP
What did he sing?
AH
It was the Prince of Bel Air.
JP
Really?
AH
Really.
JP
He rapped the Fresh Prince of Bel Air?
AH
He rapped the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, I was sat there choking on my chips.
JP
Oh, we are going to have to get him to come and do this, do you think he would do it for us, can you ask the question?
AH
Not a chance.