John Ward - Radio Cumbria Interview

Last updated : 17 May 2008 By Thetashkentterror

John Ward
United boss John Ward spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's Derek Lacey on Wednesday morning as he talked about the upcoming play-off semi-final second leg against Leeds, Ward hoping that Carlisle can spring another surprise, like they did at Elland Road on Monday night :


" The tie is not finished and that's what it is, it's a cup tie and it's not over by any means. We know that, it wouldn't have been over at 2-0 or even if we were 2-1 down. So we have got to be absolutely right that you do put it away and forget all about it and get on with the next game, and we've got to go and try to win that. Knowing that if we win it then we are into the place that we want to be, so it's really getting everybody focused and all minds on this next game now.

" Everybody wondered how we would approach the first leg and I said that when we have got the ball we'll attack people and when we haven't got the ball we'll defend against Leeds. That's exactly as I see it, it sounds very simplistic and a bit blasé in a way but what else can you do? I'm not going to tell my players when they have got the ball not to attack, what are we going to do with it? Let's get it and go forward and try to win the game.

" It is now in my eyes a one-off football match, and whilst you can't take the score away from the first leg then you have got to go for it and try to win the football match. If we can win this game on Thursday night then we know that we are through regardless of whatever else has gone on on Monday. We said that when we came back from Leeds we wanted to be in with a chance of winning on Thursday and that's exactly what we have done. Now we have got to go and work very hard to finish the job.

" Because it won't be easy, for me Leeds are still the favourite team, they are the big team, they are the ones you'd expect to bounce back if you like and give us a tough game here at Brunton Park. I'm sure that they will but at the same time I want to give them a tough game as well like we did on Monday, and I'm sure that my players will be ready for that.

" I think people have enjoyed the three games we have played, we heard some very good comments about the game at Leeds. We thought that we played pretty well on Monday but in general the people have enjoyed watching the game. I think that I remember saying after the 3-2 defeat what a great game of football that was, even though we hadn't won it. "



" Obviously winning here 3-1 when we were a goal down with a full house was a big highlight of the season as well. So the three games have provided lots of goals and lots of entertainment, and I don't see why Thursday should be any different. You just work very hard and hope that it goes your way don't you.

" Someone told me that Carlisle don't do straightforward either so anything could happen, you've told me that and a lot of people here have said that. A lot of people have said that they are not surprised that there has been a late goal and something that has gone on and that we are not doing it comfortably. So that's fine by me, if it keeps people on edge and we get a full house here and there is a football match for loads of people to enjoy then fine. Obviously being in the business and the position that I am then I want to win the game.

" I'm not sure that we will practice penalties, I think that we will talk to the players about them, because it is a possibility and we don't want to get caught short. What we can't do though is replicate what the situation will be. They will have played for two hours, there will be 16,000 people here, there will be that kind of atmosphere. I can't do that at the training ground but we will ask people at that time if they will be prepared to take a penalty should that arise.

" We'll tell them that if they want to go and practice those on the training ground then they can do. So I think that a replication of the situation is just not possible, but people who want to do it are the key I think. There will be one or two that may not want to do it and we have to respect that, as long as I have got five then we'll get through it.

" They (the Carlisle fans at Elland Road) let themselves be heard, as you knew they would do, and they had a team to back it up as well which is good you know. They suffered a little bit last time when we got a goal ahead and then back to 2-2 and didn't win the game. So a little bit of pleasure for them but we have got to make sure that all those people that travelled to Leeds will be here on Thursday. We have got to make sure that we do as good a job for everybody, not just those guys but for everybody in the ground that supports Carlisle United this week. "