Greg Abbott - Radio Cumbria Interview

Blues boss Greg Abbott

How did you find Tuesday night, and where would you rank that in the games that you've had with the club?

GA

It is probably the best performance since I have been the manager, it was near enough a complete performance. We didn't really have our goal threatened and we threatened Huddersfield's goal on numerous occasions. We got four goals and I thought the big thing was that we probably dominated near enough every area of the pitch, from back to front.

We were on top in most areas and in the end we won convincingly, but probably feeling a little bit that we might have won even more convincingly and put the tie out of reach. That is probably being over-critical but certainly the all-round performance was terrific, and the players worked exceptionally hard and probably set a standard.

JP

I was asking the fans actually in the commentary on Tuesday night to text in and tell us what they would have taken going into the game, what they would have liked to have gone to the Galpharm with. And I think they were very honest to admit that not many of them thought it would have been anything near that. Yourself going into the game, what would have you seen as good enough to take to the Galpharm?

GA

I don't think we really look at it like that, I think as a manager what you are looking for is to get a performance, and if you get a performance then you generally get a positive result. We are just looking at getting good performances under our belt, working as hard as we did against Bristol Rovers and against Huddersfield, then your result generally follows. I think trying to predict a 1-0 or a 2-0 or what is good enough or what is not good enough, 1-0 might be good enough.

If we go there and play the same as we have got then 1-0 might have been enough. So, I don't think it is important what we take forward, I think it is important that we don't get beat and we are still in the tie. We are definitely that now, we have got a really positive lead to take to Huddersfield and then now we have to set about not just going there to protect it but to go and produce the type of performance we did on Tuesday.

I don't think the game will be similar, I would be very doubtful that the game will be similar, it will be much tougher but we have got to make sure that we don't just sit back and think we have already got one foot where everybody is talking about. And we give Huddersfield the same type of game in terms of our determination and our work-ethic and see where it takes us.

JP

I am sure you will be less than amused that the bookies have actually made you evens favourites now to lift the trophy. But, Lee Clark is still saying that the tie isn't entirely dead yet and I am sure you will be urging that amount of caution yourself?

GA

Yeah, the tie is absolutely not dead, because the one team in this league that are capable, probably along with Southampton, even for me both better than Brighton. The table might suggest different but they are certainly sides with the quality of players capable of getting goals. I think Southampton and Huddersfield are the teams that I would be most least like to face in a situation like we are in.

But, listen, we have got a healthy advantage, we have got to not just think we are going there to defend it, we have got to play the game the right way, the way we play. Try to dominate the game in just the same way, I am not so sure we will as convincingly as we did the other night.

But, we have got to make sure that we make life difficult for Huddersfield and don't sit back and protect a lead. We have got to go out there and play and play the game properly, and try to give a good account of ourselves and that maybe will be enough.

JP

Just on the two performances that you have just had, the two 4-0s, how satisfying have they been? You clearly wanted a reaction after that Torquay game, you said you needed to see certain things from the team and from the fans etc. How satisfying has it been for you as a manager to have got two results like that?

GA

I have been pretty satisfied most of the season, we are disappointed with two or three games in particular this season. Certainly Torquay, I keep talking to the players about opportunities and that was an opportunity to progress in the FA Cup. If you think back to last year it was a fantastic occasion at Everton, what was disappointing was the manner and the performance and the way we went out against a side that I think we are very, very capable of beating.

But, that apart, and maybe two/three of the performances, generally this season the players have given a really good account of themselves. If you look at the league table now, and look at our games in hand, if we can get a couple of results or a win and a draw out of them then we are in the top four or five, it is absolutely ridiculous.

So, we are doing really well in the Johnstone's Paint, the league performance, if we can pick up some results in the next few weeks then it is a real live and alive season. I am really satisfied with the overall progression that the team is making.

Yes, we have to take out three or four indifferent performances but if you look at our table and you look at our league and you look at the teams in it, I think every single manager would say that they had had at least three performances that they are not proud of.

One of ours happened to fall in FA Cup at Torquay which was a winnable game, which sort of quantifies the importance of that game and how bad it was, the performance. We have to move on from that and draw a line under it, but sort of try not to repeat it, certainly not in the next few weeks.

JP

The last couple of results haven't been a bad line to draw under it. Onto the league as you say and tomorrow a game against Notts County, a side right there or thereabouts, a good opportunity to put a bit of distance potentially between yourselves and them?

GA

Yeah, I think they are similar to us, I call those types of teams, at the minute we are three game teams, we are three games from being right in the top of the table or looking over your shoulder at what is behind you. So, I think Notts County are the same, Paul (Ince) has gone in, he has steadied the ship, he has had some decent-ish performances. I still think he will want more results.

So, we look upon tomorrow's game as an important one to try to not get beat. It is important tomorrow we don't get beat, keep the run going, keep the momentum, keep the excitement that has been generated by the past two performances.

JP

In terms of Notts County themselves, they are surely not a one-man team, no doubt about that, but they have sold arguably their key player in Ben Davies in the week. Do you think that will work in or against Carlisle United? In your favour or against you?

GA

Well, we sold possibly our most effective player (Gary Madine) in the last couple of weeks and it worked in our favour, so let's hope that the same doesn't happen for Notts County. But, Ben is a player that we have talked about prior to him getting sold about his set-pieces, his energy, his quality. So, there is that threat not to take care of but they are not a one-man team and we have proved we are not a one-man team.

Our response from our players, and certainly Craig Curran who has come in and I thought he was fantastic in the two games in terms of his work-ethic and he obviously got his goal in the first one. You will have players at Notts County doing the same, they will see Ben is leaving as an opportunity for them, so you generally get people trying twice as hard to make sure he (Ince) doesn't bring in somebody that takes that position and leaves them left wanting.

JP

I was actually going to come on to that comparison, with Gary Madine leaving do you feel that some of your players have stepped up to the plate for you? Stepped into the limelight a little bit more?

GA

I just think the way we are rebuilding the squad, there is competition going in in all areas. We still think we need one or two more but I think the competition and the players we are bringing in and the quality of the players we are bringing in has added an edge to near enough every part of the game.

Nobody at the minute, we might have to say Adam Collin is an exception, has got a guaranteed place in the side, and that is exactly what I want. It is no coincidence I think that three or four of our players had their best games of the season for us on Tuesday night. That might be just the fact that there is some competition and some really good players coming into the club to provide that.

JP

Liam Noble, you have extended his loan to the end of the season, I believe that Tuesday night's game against Huddersfield was his first start as a professional footballer. An amazing performance and presumably a lot of why you have decided to extend that loan?

GA

Yeah, and I just think that is a big pat on the back to the backroom staff for enabling us to bring that type of player in where nobody else really knows about Liam. He has not played first-team football, you are always worried and concerned about how he would react.

But, he has come in, he was there to provide competition, he has got his chance early on because of Paul (Thirlwell's) injury. But, I thought his performance on the pitch for a first time against the type of quality of opposition he was up against was absolutely magnificent. If he can maintain that progress then his future looks bright and rosy and if he helps us along the way that is double the benefit for us.

JP

Might you also want to, or are you looking into, trying to extend the loan of your other recent loan signing in Liam Cooper who has also been superb since joining?

GA

Yeah, Liam needs games, he came off with cramp late on in the game and we have bullied him about being not fit, you know what I mean. He has got to play with us because he is not even fully fit to last 90 minutes yet, but that is just a bit of banter he has had.

But, I think Liam has come and he has got that bit between his teeth, he is playing regular football and I think he has come in and he has added a bit of aggression. He has given us balance at the back and he has looked a decent player, so I would be foolish to say I wouldn't want to extend that as well.

JP

Another of your loan signings, just for a bit of detail for fans who perhaps aren't aware of the story, Mike Grella who was with Carlisle United, went to Motherwell and then some UEFA ruling says that he is not allowed to play.

He can be registered for more than two but can't play for more than two clubs in one season, he has been with Leeds, he has been with Carlisle United, so his loan to Motherwell has been cut short or stopped at source. He is somebody that you would still consider for Carlisle United?

GA

Well, I did say to you at the back end of December and early January that my job is to make sure that at the end of this month, the squad is as strong if not stronger than it was. I think I am well on my way to making sure that happens.

We have got more irons in the fire, I have got more work to be done, I am close on one or two things and I think at the end of this month the squad could be even stronger than it was at the end of December. That is my job and I am well on my way to doing that.