United media officer Andy Hall (AH) spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's James Phillips (JP) this afternoon ahead of Carlisle's League One match away to Walsall, Hall first talking about a nice sunny day at the Banks's Stadium:
JP
What is it about Walsall and glorious autumnal days?
AH
Yeah, it was boiling last year and that made it quite difficult, today there is a little bit of edge in the air. You are right though, every time we come here the sun blares down on us some for strange reason, and more of it in my opinion.
JP
Indeed, Carlisle United today sporting three changes, we knew about Jon-Paul McGovern, the other two I guess Greg Abbott just trying to address things after the defeat last time out?
AH
I think that is fair to say yeah, he talked to you on Tuesday night when the game was postponed didn't he and he mentioned the fact that he was a bit worried about the fact that we were leaking goals and he was going to look at why. So, he is using his team, his squad, as he sees fit, he will always pick a team that he thinks is going to do the job, and that is exactly what he has done again today.
JP
The away form looking for the third win away from home this season of course Carlisle, it has been useful for United where for whatever reason the home form so far hasn't quite lived up to that?
AH
If only you could put your finger on why eh? It seems to happen this way for whatever reason with Carlisle United. We either storm away and win loads at home and we start to struggle away from home, or it is the other way round. At the moment we have had two very good performances on the bounce, Hartlepool and then the last one which we all enjoyed down at Coventry, and that is what we want to build on down in the Midlands again today. Because, Bury was a game that we all wanted to play I think, they were struggling, new manager, gives you a chance to get at them and get them unnerved.
That one has gone so this is a chance against probably one of the two surprise teams, Tranmere are the other one for me in this division so far this year, I didn't expect them to have the start they have had. I have seen the goal that beat them (Walsall) on Tuesday night which they will never have one scored like that against them ever again. So, they are a team in form and we are going to have to watch out for them today.
JP
We have got a tremendous amount of Football League, and in particular League One experience with us in commentary today in Chris Lumsdon and Karl Hawley, a pleasure to have Karl with us of course, if you are just joining us he is in with us today as he is injured for the Scunthorpe match and he is going up for the testimonial of Peter Murphy. But, looking through this Walsall team, both of them said that they don't know who any of them are?
AH
It doesn't jump out does it and it is a great job that has been done down here by Dean (Smith) with Walsall. We saw it a little bit last year, they have got a real heart and a real steel about them and they have pushed that on this year. Like I say, they are picking up wins the way you just wouldn't expect it to happen, and they are where they are and they would be higher as well if they had got Tuesday night right. They will be smarting from that because it was a home game, and I think Dean has been saying in his programme notes that he wants this place to be where they build their season this year. So, we are going to have to be ready for it because they are a very good side.
JP
One thing Graham Kavanagh impressed on me in particular on Tuesday night was that he feels if Joe Garner just gets that one goal there will be an avalanche. He really needs that and no more so was that evident than Saturday wasn't it, because he was in all the positions, he won a couple of clear headers, firmly met them, but then they just seemed to magnitise to the goalkeeper?
AH
There was a pull-back, I can't remember who it was, it might have been Robbo (Matt Robson), but he was in a great position, left foot, scuffed it and it went wide. That I think for me was the one, if that had gone in then Joe Garner would have been firing on all cylinders. That might have stuck in his head, I don't know, you will have to ask him that, but yeah, I would agree with it, he is the kind of player who just doesn't give up, he is always running, he is always in the right place and you just think with his history with the club and the way he plays the game, if one hits the back of the net then a few will.
JP
Definitely need him and others though to chip in with the goals, a stat that I wasn't aware of until I really looked into it today was that United, they are unequalled in the division, four games that they haven't scored in this season is slightly worrying when we have seen the creative options that they have got and that they have had and that they have built on over the last couple of years?
AH
Absolutely, and you look at last Saturday and everybody's buzz word was disappointment because of the number of chances that were created, they were coming from left and right. The players were in there, most of them fell to Joe Garner, and the fact of the matter is that if you don't take your chances, you don't score your goals and you get smacked on the backside in this game, and that is what happened to us.
JP
The big thing after Crawley though that I was keen to make sure that everyone remembered, because it was a disappointing day, was that had United have won that one, which on another day they could easily have done so, they would have gone into the play-offs. So, not just the stage to get too downheartened, but they do need to pick up that win and start finding that scoring touch.
AH
Consistency isn't it, if you are consistent in this division then you are up in the top six or eight, and that is exactly where we want to be if we are going to, I think I said it last time we spoke, if we are going to continue that measure of improvement there is only one place we can be this season and that is where we all want to be. So, we are going to have to do the job properly and certainly when you get the chances we have to put them away, that is not rocket science. Hopefully we will see the same number of chances created today, because I have absolutely no doubt that if they are we will be on the winning side.
JP
And Andy, no doubt that this is the big event of the weekend for Carlisle United because it is always about the club, it is always about getting points, however there is another day which is pretty big as well tomorrow for somebody who has been a great servant to Carlisle United?
AH
Peter Murphy. 2001 he came to the club, I can remember it because I was actually working for the club at the time, and he was a young lad back then, a very guarded young man, very awkward with the press. It has been fantastic to watch him grow, and I feel old now as well because ten years plus, that is frightening isn't it to have worked with a player at a club for that long. But, he deserves tomorrow, I hope the fans turn out in numbers and give him a clap. Some of the players that are coming, we have got Ian Harte here today somewhere in the crowd as well, he has come along to watch, he is on his way up to play tomorrow. Keiren Westwood, Karl Hawley and all the lads you have spoken about, it is a who's who.............
JP
Danny Graham, Grant Holt, Matt Jansen, it is incredible isn't it?
AH
Absolutely unbelievable you know, it is a dream team times three of Carlisle United tomorrow, so please do come along.
JP
Yeah, come and support Peter, but in a way even if you are not that bothered about supporting Peter come and see the players for heaven's sake. Because, by doing that you will support Peter?
AH
And it will be an exhibition match and there will be a chance to have a laugh as well, I have no doubt. Players like the silky Greg Abbott will be out there plying his trade, so yeah, please do come along, show Peter a bit of support and they will have a few smiles on their faces as well.
JP
I hope Dennis Booth gets five minutes out there?
AH
Oh wow, there is a thought.