Greg Abbott - Radio Cumbria Interview

Last updated : 30 January 2009 By Thetashkentterror

Blues boss Greg Abbott
United manager Greg Abbott spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria on Friday evening ahead of Carlisle's match at home to Colchester tomorrow, Abbott first talking about the signing today of Preston winger Lewis Neal on a six-month deal :


" Lewis is a terrific player, he is a Championship player, he is one that we think can take us forward and improve what we have got and give us again more competition. So we have spent the whole of the day and up to five minutes ago with him and his wife, they came up to see us and we have managed to beat off another couple of clubs to his signature, so we are really, really pleased. It is onwards and upwards from here.

" We know a lot about Lewis and what he is all about, so when the opportunity came, it was a week ago that I made my first initial contact with his representatives. We have managed to see it through and we have done it today so we are delighted with that and we can crack on from there.

" He has got really good feet, he is very clever, he is intelligent, he has got great delivery and he will make things happen. His end product, his crossing ability is good, his passing range is very, very good and his understanding of the game is first class. So we are hoping that he will give us that little bit extra and help us move forward.

" Obviously the finance side of it was an issue and what we have done is that to get the thing done quickly, Preston agreed to help us with that. We have initially done it for six months but it is a longer term one, we are hoping that he comes in and shows us what he can do and very, very quickly we can move to make that a longer deal. "



" It has been a rush to make it all happen today, I have only just walked through the door five minutes ago. What we have done is that we have said is that it has all been done, his wife has come up with him and it has been terrific. They have had a good look around the place, we have tried to sell the place to them as well.

" We just feel that tomorrow is too early to throw him in, he has not even trained with the players, he has not met the players. I think that it is unfair on him to expect him to come in so what we will hopefully do is get him training on Monday and then have him around the squad on Tuesday.

" I just see it as an improvement to the squad, I just want him to come in and add competition and make us better. We just like the way that he is, we have known about him for a long, long time. I just want him to come in and have no debate about whether he is this or that, I just want him to come in, enjoy his football and make us better.

" We have had more than just a good reference from Dennis Booth. Dennis is good enough for me but there has been more than just Dennis about Lewis saying how much he thinks he can add an impact to what we have got. So the homework has been done, we know a lot about him, he is not a shot in the dark so he is a pleasing one to have on board. "



" There is no such thing as revenge tomorrow, what we are doing is the reminder is of how low we were at that particular stage of the season at Colchester. The revenge is not a thing that you should talk about I don't think in football because it can come in and you can get too hyped up about it. What it showed us is how low we were on that particular day and then tomorrow we need to hopefully get a performance and a result to say that we have come, improved and progressed.

" We need to make sure that we get a decent performance out of the team tomorrow and that shows that there is definitely an improvement that has been made. I would think that all the players will be up for it with the result in mind down at Colchester. I think that everybody is keen to put the record straight and prove to people that we have made progress, we are improving and we are not a soft touch anymore.

" Jeff (Smith) has got a slight problem, we don't know what the problem is so with Jeff he is going to see another specialist I think in the early part of next week. Michael (Bridges) had a terrible time with his back on Tuesday night, he is actually showing terrific recovery in terms of the spasm has gone. He has trained today and we are going to wait and see if there is a reaction tomorrow, and if there isn't then he will be involved with the team or the squad for the game tomorrow.

" You never know what will happen with transfers from now, the question is that I don't know. As far as I am concerned I will be really happy if it stays as it is now and we can concentrate on getting some more good results and pressing on up the table. "