John Ward On Another Three Points

Last updated : 04 November 2007 By Thetashkentterror

John Ward
United boss John Ward spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's Derek Lacey after the 3-1 home win over Leeds that takes the Blues back to the top of the League One table, Ward talking about how hard the Carlisle players worked in the second-half :


" From my point of view it was extremely disappointing to be a goal down at half-time, particularly the way we had played, we were probably fortunate we weren't two goals down. That at least was some comfort to us that we could pick up and get back together again, and pick up the pace of the game again. Because certainly Leeds were the better team in that period and I was pleased to get down at 1-0 really, I couldn't see us finding a goal back at that stage.

" We just said that we had to lift the tempo of the game, the attitude was fine, we worked fine and I had no problem with that but we were second best to many things getting bumped about. What we did in the second period was that we did that to Leeds United, we disrupted their game and got at them and got in their faces. We've won in a different style today and that's good for me because it shows me that my team is not just a nice football team. It can get their sleeves rolled up, get a bit of muck and nettles and go and win a game that way, and there was some good football also to boot with that.

" We said at half-time that we needed to step up the pace of the game and I think we showed them perhaps a little bit too much respect. They didn't show us any which is fine, I don't expect any. They stopped our slower game if you like and we needed to quicken it up and we needed to match their game and be better, that's literally what I said but in a slightly different tone maybe.

" The equaliser restored belief, I think that is Simon (Hackney's) third (goal) in six games now since I've been here and he's getting better all the time. He's increasing in confidence with everything that he does and it does lift the whole place but we haven't given enough for this maximum crowd to cheer about and get behind us. I thought the way we started the second period showed them that we meant more business, there was a bit more devil in our football.

" That goal then lifted the lid off the whole place and then we went on to produce some really strong sterling performances. My two front boys were running and chasing and working exceptionally hard for the team as they have been doing but weren't getting the service that they wanted in the first period. So it did change matters and it happens like that, you've seen enough football to know that you sometimes need a lift and that was certainly a big one. "



" He (Joe Garner) and Danny Graham at the top end are really working their socks off for the team, it's very important that they do that. Joe will get the plaudits for his goal but Danny has equally put the work in, he has made some chases down the side, he's upset centre-backs in the second period, he's won a fair few headers in the first period and has chased them on himself. That was where we were lacking a bit but in the second period they got it together. Joe Garner is improving again all the time, obviously I like him but there is a lot more to come out of those guys.

" The third goal was the icing on the cake because you know then that you are going to win, at 2-1 I'm shouting to keep it and don't mess about with it. It was quick thinking though and we didn't have enough of that again in the first period but when the confidence is up you can see this team passing and moving and making decisions like that very quickly. Fair play to him (Marc Bridge-Wilkinson), he has come through with that decision, had he not scored it I'd have had a little grumble at him.

" This will send the same message, it will let people know that we are not a bad side. I keep saying to you that we are a decent side at this level and we need to keep people fit to have the squad to deal with it. We haven't got enough probably in the group and that is something that I've got to try to address as the transfer window comes around. They've got to be good players though to come in here and we hope we can keep this lot of people fit, but other people certainly recognise that we're not a bad team.

" I've said just to the boys that they would be foolish now if they do anything to inhibit their movements over this weekend and do the wrong things and not prepare for the next game. It's a fantastic result, they'll get all the plaudits, I guess if they walk down the main street of Carlisle they will never get past the first bar. They shouldn't be there though and they should be ready for the next football match because someone like Luton Town and then the two cup ties coming up in front of us. If we don't win those then this whole place will get deflated and we shouldn't let that happen.

" Management is OK at the moment but I know that I am not going to walk down the main street tonight because there will be other nights when I certainly can't. I've enjoyed the day today and the fans have been brilliant, we've responded to the major crowd. Hopefully some of these people who have not come regularly to Brunton Park will come back because they have seen a good days work from their team today. "