Greg Abbott On The Huddersfield Defeat

Last updated : 11 August 2010 By Thetashkentterror

Blues boss Greg Abbott
United boss Greg Abbott (GA) spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's Andy Wood (AW) after Carlisle's 1-0 defeat at home to Huddersfield in the first round of the Carling Cup, Abbott suggesting that the Blues should have had their noses in front by the time the Terriers scored in the 89th minute :


AW

How much of a hammer blow was that? 88 minutes you hold them for and then they go and get one just on the break.

GA

Well, it was a hammer blow because we didn't think we held them, we think we more than matched them and more than contributed to a good performance. We are probably thinking we should have had a goal by then and our noses in front.

But, we are looking at the display on the whole and again there are a lot of positives, a lot of good things about us. The players are a bit disappointed with the result and the result only, and I have told them that is the only thing to be down about because the rest of it is not too bad.





AW

A lot of graft and it kind of shows because Huddersfield are one of the favourites in this division, where we need to be and we are not that far off really are we?

GA

Well, if you look at the game against Huddersfield at the end of last season when we were really second best quite comfortably, we have made a bit of progress haven't we. So, I suppose that is a sign that we are going in the right direction, but we need to convert our play into goals and we need to give ourselves a platform if we are going to win games, and that is probably the only criticism for tonight.





AW

It says quite a bit about the strength of the squad that you can bring on Matty Robson and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson and still more players that didn't come on that are definite quality to be in there.

GA

Well, we are looking at a squad, we are going to need everybody we have got. Everybody is together, I know the lads that aren't playing want to play and it gives me some options to do things that we have to do. Like tonight, when we have wanted to shuffle it around a little bit when we needed to.

But, I thought the overall play was very good, the lads on the pitch have done a smashing job. We know we can change things round from the bench and we have got a strong bench. It is what we have been working towards, having a bit more depth and a bit more strength in the club.





AW

Speaking this week, James Berrett said he wanted to prove a point against his old side, he is down there pretty happy with the way he played?

GA

I don't think he has anything to prove, he is a good player and I thought he was excellent tonight. With a bit more luck in the first-half he might have had his goal as well. But, we think he is going to be a good player and we think the complement of experience and energy in the midfield is looking quite OK at the minute.





AW

It says quite a bit about how much you do rate this competition, a lot of big sides play weakened sides, but you played the strongest side, the side you played on Saturday. So, it says a bit about what you think about this competition and what it is worth?

GA

I think it is what I think about winning football games. I don't like to lose any games and tonight is no different. To be fair to Lee (Clark) he has picked exactly the same side that played on Saturday, he has respected it.

We thought that if it was going to end up 0-0 it would have been one of the nicest sort of entertaining 0-0's for a long time. Our fans have shown a great appreciation of what we are trying to do and at the minute we are getting everybody behind us and getting some belief throughout the club.





AW

Off the field this week, great news on Danny Livesey, he doesn't need an operation?

GA

Yeah, that was the one downside of pre-season and the start of this year. But, it is a little bit better news now that we know he can continue his rehabilitation and get himself back and fit as quick as possible.





AW

Now I know you are not a fan of talking about other players that don't play for you but Darryl Duffy has been told by Bristol Rovers that he is no longer required. Now he is a free agent would you be interested in having another look at him or not?

GA

You're right, I don't talk about other players?





AW

Now, looking to Saturday, the Plymouth game, the same eleven tonight as last Saturday, did everyone come through fit? Are you expecting to play the same eleven on Saturday?

GA

We will just have a look and see how everybody is tomorrow. It is time just to reflect a little bit on what we have done tonight, have a look at the performances and how we think we can improve. Then we will get to work on Plymouth's team and their strengths and weaknesses, and then we will see where we are come Friday.





AW

A bit of a journey, is it one that you like to get out of the way in August or does it not matter when you go there?

GA

No, I am not bothered, I have told the lads not to start using excuses about journeys and lengths. Carlisle is always going to be where it is and Plymouth is always going to be where it is. We have to get on with it and deal with it, we have done it all in the past, the length of it. So, there will be no excuses, if we get beat it is because they are better than us and nothing to do with any journey.