Greg Abbott - Radio Cumbria Interview

Last updated : 27 November 2009 By Thetashkentterror

Blues boss Greg Abbott
United boss Greg Abbott (GA) spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's Paul Newton (PN) and James Phillips (JP) on Friday evening before Carlisle's FA Cup second round tie at home to Norwich tomorrow, Abbott first talking about the latest situation transfer-wise at Brunton Park after loan deadline day yesterday :



GA

Ipswich made an approach for one of our players and it wasn't the right thing for the club so we turned it down. Then I think that obviously everybody knows that Shrewsbury made an approach for Peter Murphy and again it didn't suit me and I turned that down as well. He is part of what we are doing here, the only time I would let him go is if I thought he needed some games.

But at the minute we are light and we need him and there is every chance that if and when Murph gets back in the team he could stay in the team as he is that type of player. We need all the experienced players we have got so it was two no's and we crack on now.

JP

Would it be fair to say that you are looking to bring more players in rather than lose players out of your squad at the moment?

GA

We are looking at the window in January and looking at what we have got and how we think we can improve it. But we are looking to build on what we are doing at the minute, we can't really go any barer than we have got in terms of experienced professionals. So hopefully they will be comings in rather than people going out, but that is where we are at at the moment.

JP

And speaking about the goings out, you have let one player out, Gavin Rothery, tell us about the sort of player Barrow have got there?

GA

Gav is a tidy player, he can find a pass, he will find a goal, he needs to be playing real football. I spoke to Dave (Bayliss) who I am in constant touch with on a number of issues. I have said he will be a good one for you and it is a good one for Gav himself so I think everybody wins with that. He is lively, handles the ball really well, he has got a bit of pace about him and I think he will handle Conference level quite comfortably.

JP

A very important match of course for the club tomorrow.

GA

Yeah, absolutely, it is one we have been working hard, contrary to what maybe opinion is we are on a good run at the minute. I keep saying that it is five wins and a draw out of the last eight, which is really, really decent form. What we want to try to do is put on a good performance, like we did against Charlton and Southend, in front of our home fans and get that enthusiasm and that optimism spreading through the town. Because I think is what everybody needs at the moment.

JP

Do you feel part of the reason that some people are looking at the other aspects of the run and perhaps you as a manager, is some of the goals that you have conceded? Is that something that you could tighten up on?

GA

Well we could but as long as we score four we are allowed to concede three. But the ideal win I suppose is a nice 1-0 or a 2-0, you are tight at one end and you are scoring goals at the other. What we are trying to do is win games and we have done that over the past few weeks.

So yeah we can be tighter but people were criticising for lack of goals and now people are criticising for conceding. So we can't have it all ends up but we are always looking to improve at both ends of the field and 2-0 or 3-0 wins are absolutely perfect for coaches. But as long as we are winning that is the key at the moment.





PN

I have to ask you, what were your thoughts on the touchline on Tuesday night when you saw that 3-0 lead disappear?

GA

I am not allowed to say on the radio to be honest with you what I was thinking at 3-3. My mum would have thought that is not the son she has brought up, I was absolutely boiling inside. But to be fair when it got to 3-3 we went back at the game as if it was 0-0 and could have won the game 6-3 in the end.

So the response from the players was magnificent, but you just think that when it gets to that situation that they (MK Dons) might have the impetus and go on and win the game. But fair play to the lads and great character shown from everybody from within the club, and we battled away and we actually ran out comfortable winners in the end.

PN

Vincent Pericard once again proved his worth to you, longer-term where are you at currently with Vincent and a possible longer-term stay at the club?

GA

Vince is keeping his cards close to his chest at the moment. All he is saying is that he wants to concentrate on his football. We have a got really good relationship between us, he wants to do the best he can for us up to about the middle to back end of December, and then he says we will sit down and see what he wants to do and how things progress from there.

But at the minute he is such a good professional he just wants to concentrate on football matters. I have pushed him on staying a bit longer but he said 'listen, can we leave it to the middle or back end of December'. I honour his wishes and we will talk to him again later in that month.

JP

And what about the two players you have got in on loan, Tom Taiwo who of course is unavailable tomorrow and Adam Clayton, what is the situation with their longer-term futures? You have admitted that there has been interest in at least one of the pair.

GA

Yeah, there is probably interest in both the pair but there is only interest I know about in one of them. They are good players, people always want good players. That is the problem with the loan system that you are never guaranteed to have them longer than that period.

We are doing everything we can to keep them here, I think results, I think the way the fans are supporting them and have took to them and the way the results are going all go in our favour for them to extend their loans. They are both thoroughly enjoying their time here, they are both terrific lads, great to work with and we are really, really hopeful that we can extend those periods when they come up to the end.

JP

And what about the injury situation with Clayton ahead of tomorrow's match?

GA

Yeah, he is still feeling his knee from Tuesday so we are going to have a look at him in the morning and make that decision tomorrow. Apart from that Peter Murphy has had a dead leg but he is fine, he came through training no problem today, so he is in contention as well. So apart from Adam who we are going to leave until tomorrow, the longer-term ones Thir (Paul Thirlwell) and David Raven and little Bridgey (Marc Bridge-Wilkinson), we are in as good a shape as we can be.