United boss Greg Abbott (GA) spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's James Phillips (JP) following Carlisle's 2-1 extra-time Capital One Cup win at home to Ipswich, Abbott saying that it was a night of mixed feeling for the United coaching staff:
JP
Just try to sum up how you feel right now?
GA
Well, we are really pleased, it has been a night of mixed feeling for us as a staff because we were really disappointed with the first 20 minutes. Listen, Ipswich are a good side, they will show you they are a good side if you sit off them and don't get round them. But, after that we started to get into the players to get tight and to chase everything down, to challenge for every ball, to go right up against people.
When we did that we put them under a bit of pressure, the game sort of evened out in terms of quality and I think at the end of the game I hope I am fair to say that there didn't look a big gulf in gap between the two sides. I think probably for our guts and our determination we probably just about deserved to come out winners in the tie.
JP
When it took so long to get there did you think there was maybe a chance that it was really unjustly not going to come that equaliser?
GA
Yeah, but we are doing things with young players and we are taking risks, not risks but calculated gambles to try to provide that spark, that something different, that goal threat. We are using everything we can and we haven't got the depths that a lot of clubs have got, certainly not what Ipswich have got, but the kids have come on and I thought Brad (Potts) has got better as the game has gone on, I thought he started really shakily, he has got edgy, he has been slashing at things again.
We are telling him to believe in himself, we think he is a really good player and that is why he is playing. But, I think Becky (Mark Beck) made a really significant contribution and David (Symington) as well, David looked a real handful on the right-hand side with his power and his pace, and he has got unbelievable shooting ability. He is one of the nicest boys going and when I told him he was getting a contract, and it is a really good story, when I told him he was getting his contract, he just burst into tears and I mean that.
He is such a genuine sort that wears his heart on his sleeve and gives everything he has got, and sometimes doesn't know how good he can be and that holds him back. But, sometimes it pushes him forward if that makes any sense because he does things instinctively and it is hard to mark sometimes and coach somebody that is an instinctive player. But, he was certainly instinctively very, very good tonight and we thank him for his goal and his part he played in turning the tie round.
JP
Two first-year pros (Mark Beck and Dave Symington), nowhere near their 20s really, with goals tonight, that is amazing?
GA
And a right-back first-year pro (Brad Potts). So, we are where we are and I think sometimes our fans have to be a little bit patient. I think they were tonight, they are calling for this and they are calling for that and we are making all the calls we can to give us a fighting chance to stay in games. They are probably not ready to play 46 games but it looks like they are ready to play a huge part in what we are doing, and there are certainly people there that can come on and make an impact.
They have proved that and as they get older and as they get more experienced they will get more consistency to their game and they will really help us in our quest for a larger squad, because you have got players there now who have shown that they can go in and do it.
JP
Do you immediately start having to look at these players with how they have come on and how they are already starting to contribute and think whether you maybe need to think about tying them down a little bit longer, or is that a bit early to be saying that?
GA
Before I have had a pint after this game I think it is a bit early, Jesus wept. I have not even stopped sweating yet and you are asking me to tie them down with contracts, can I just not enjoy the result? No, I understand what you are saying, we know where we are with these players, I have already reported back to the people that need to know where I think they are.
We have to make sure we get things sorted out with them and if they can continue their progress then progress gets rewarded, it as simple as that, if there is no progress there is no reward. But, they are pushing us in the right direction and they force your hand into doing something, but it is only something we would love......... Certainly as a manager I would love to do, and I will look at that after I have had my first drink.
JP
Is Dave Symington just on tonight's showing even further ahead than perhaps you thought throwing him into this game, because some of his stuff, I mean he was absolutely taking Aaron Cresswell to the cleaners?
GA
Yeah, well like I said, he has got no fear, he is an instinctive boy and you can expect the unexpected with David. He could play next week and be really poor and disparent, but he could also be the man of the match. He is that type of player, he is one of them that he is going to learn, he will get more consistent, but he has shown us that he can be effective.
He has shown that he can come on and make a real impact and we are working with him day in and day out, we work with him in the afternoons. That will have done him some good training with some better players at a higher intensity and his consistency will get better and we will wait for that to arrive. But, he has given us something certainly to think about.
JP
You know that is only the second time Carlisle have reached the third round of the League Cup in 38 years?
GA
Yeah, I will take that as we are alright then, I will take that as we are doing OK.
JP
You got the other time as well.
GA
Sorry?
JP
You got the other time as well at Bristol City.
GA
Very good, I will take that as another positive. Have you got any more of these facts because I am starting to like you now, the people out there will be worried. No, very good, listen, we are trying to give of our best and we know the obstacles at the club and we know we are up against them sometimes.
But, do you know what, there is a lot of honesty and there is a lot of hard work and there is a lot of good decisions made, believe it or not. As a club we have to take heart from that, that we are back in the hat and we might get Newcastle or Sunderland and get a really, really big gate here at home and have a really exciting evening, which the players, the staff and the fans deserve. So, that is all good and it is all going in the right direction.
JP
Can you contrast your feelings tonight as opposed to a week ago as well?
GA
It happens, listen, I don't get too blown away, I am having a drink because I had a drink last week and I just fancy a pint after the game. I enjoy it because it is hard work leading up to the game and the work we have done since last Tuesday has been taxing and demanding and it has put a lot of strain on us all. Because, we don't want to be that team, we want to be this team and we want to be Saturday's team, but unfortunately we can't guarantee it every week.
But, we have got to give that type of effort and that type of performance as often as possible and we will be more than OK. So, as a manager yeah I am pleased tonight, but I will be no different tonight in the bar with the lads, the board and that, and I will be no different tomorrow when I approach the lads, probably less fierce and less ferocious than I have been, but I want to stress the importance of putting together those really determined performances.
JP
In terms of the lads, very tiring, one or two with cramp out there on the night, is that a concern a bit with the amount of mental and physical effort they have had to put in, or do you think that will actually carry them along into the weekend?
GA
I don't think that will bother them one little bit, come Saturday if I say to Pottsy: 'you have got cramp, do you want to miss the game or do you want to not travel?' then I think I would get an answer which would be unspeakable on here, well I would hope so anyway.
JP
Jake Jervis, Birmingham City now knocked out of this competition, will that maybe have a knock-on effect? Might you hopefully get to use him in this competition yourselves now?
GA
Becky has just walked in, he wil be flabbergasted if I said that Jake is going to come in instead of him. But, no, he is available, it looks like he will be available now, I didn't even know Birmingham had got knocked out so I didn't know that. But, that is something that is good because it gives us another body, it is another bit of strength to the squad because he did alright on Saturday. But, the big man in here now has staked his claim, and it was a proper centre-forward's header, so that is two proper centre-forward's headers we have had since Lee (Miller) has gone down. So, maybe we have got two look-a-like Lee Millers.
JP
And while he is here there is a slightly littler man (Symington) who has staked his claim pretty well hasn't he?
GA
He is a horrible little man, look at him, all you will get is a big smile and he deserves it, he should be proud of what he has done there. I told you what he is all about and he will be really pleased with his work, and he can go home to Workington tonight and tell them that he scored a great goal, it will be about 40 yards out by the time he gets there I'm sure, but, listen, he can tell them what he wants for all I care.
JP
And just finally, what sort of a platform can this be for you for a tricky looking away trip (to MK Dons) back in league action at the weekend?
GA
Well, it certainly gives you some heart and some optimism to go down there, which will be probably be one of our toughest away games of the season. A top, top side with a really forceful squad and one that is looking to be at the top end of the division. But, listen, we go in good heart don't we after that, confidence should be bouyant and we have got to make life difficult for them again and get right in and amongst them and show what we can do.