Greg Abbott On A Terrific Win

Last updated : 03 February 2007 By Thetashkentterror

Greg Abbott
United assistant manager Greg Abbott spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's Derek Lacey on Saturday evening as he gave his thoughts on the excellent 2-1 win away to Doncaster Rovers, Abbott talking about the balance that new signing Jeff Smith has given the side :


" I have to say that it was a terrific football match from both teams, it was a game that it was a pleasure to be involved in. I thought both sides were terrific and I just thought that our second-half performance was right up there at the top of the tree, they were absolutely magnificent to a man. To beat Doncaster on their own patch, who are the form side in the division, they had won nine out of eleven or something like that. They had better form than Nottingham Forest, I think this is a miles better win than the midweek game, and we're all a little bit excited.

" We just said 'belief' at half-time, we were sloppy for the first fifteen minutes, I thought Doncaster were the better in the first fifteen minutes and then it was even-stevens. I just think in the second-half, we drummed it into them at half-time – belief - be more positive in the last third and, to be fair, be more positive? Look at the two goals we scored, absolutely dreamboat goals, you won't see two better in the Premiership, they were absolute quality.

" 2-0 against a team that have been flying like Doncaster on their own ground is a mountain to come back from, and we've done that too many times on our travels. It was a wonder save and it inspires people around him (Keiren Westwood). We said at half-time – you owe the keeper – because he has kept us in the game, now we owe the Hitman (Karl Hawley) and Jeff (Smith) because they have gone and got two fantastic goals. To be fair, without singling those three out, everybody to a man was unbelievable today, we're delighted with everybody.

" Joe (Garner) couldn't even move at the end of the game, he's given us everything, he's an 18-year old boy. He's just a baby in the game, your hat has to go off to him. Jeff Smith did one in the first-half as well though which didn't sail too far wide, that's what he (Smith) is capable of, that's what the manager has got him in for. His goal, as soon as it left his foot it was in the back of the net, the keeper was never getting anywhere near it. Then the crème de la crème to finish it off, Karl (Hawley's) turn and we're all standing right behind it and you can see it's going to bend in with the shape he's got on it. "

" They work hard though, the strikers work hard with their finishing, the goalkeepers work hard as well with their shot-stopping and today it has paid off for them all, we're just chuffed to bits. Jeff is left-footed, we lost Simon (Hackney) and it just gave us a little bit of a void on the left-hand side. Ziggy (Zigor Aranalde) has been trying to do it all on his own up and down that left-hand side, now he's got a real out-and-out balanced left-hand sided player and I just think the whole shape of the team looks miles better.

" Fingers crossed, and let's not get too excited, that we can just start putting a little run together. We've always been positive, we're not being clever and we're not saying that we are going to do this and do that, but I just see now a determined side with a good shape and a good balance, and a side that has got goals in them too. That's a good thing for us.

" With bringing Neale McDermott on, I think that is what the manager is paid to do, he ‘s paid to make big decisions. We gambled a little bit with Johann (Smith) who has only just joined us to put him on for Gally (Kevin Gall). It was a positive move and I told you that we'd be positive all the way along, it was a positive step to try to win the game and just give Kevin a little bit of a breather. He has played every single game near enough and works his socks off week in, week out, we just got a little bit of extra energy and pace on that side with Johann. It was a decision that he (Neil McDonald) has made, and on little bits and pieces during the game we have countered the strength that Doncaster had, overall I think we deservedly came out on top.

" When a competitive midfield player (Paul Thirlwell) is getting his first suspension going into February there can be no complaints from me. It's a month late for me (laughs), it is a blow though because he is terrific, he keeps the ball well and he is an inspiration to people around him. I don't expect those sort of players to go the whole season without getting a suspension, we'll deal with that no danger. The crowd were magnificent to be fair and we owed them that, they've come everywhere and all season they have been terrific with their numbers. There was another 1,500 there today, they get behind us and it's nice to send them back with something to cheer. I think even the Doncaster fans have been appreciative of the game I think today even though they have been beaten, so it was terrific for everybody. "