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" I heard the word 'luck' used about our result at Hartlepool on Saturday, but from our point of view it was down to a terrific spirit. We've scored goals late on in games so many times now that it's down to more than luck. We've done it on a number of occasions this season and that does take some belief.
" I'm sure it won't be the last time we'll need to chase a game this season - and we have proved we can do it - so that will stand us in good stead. I'm pretty sure that last year the Hartlepool game was one we would have lost - and lost heavily - so credit for the fact we came away with a point goes to the team ethic and the fact we keep believing.
" We pushed them back over the last 15 minutes and turned the tables on them. But there were a lot of aspects during the middle hour of the game that we need to work on ahead of Saturday's home game with Carlisle because we weren't firing on all cylinders. But the sort of comeback we made last weekend will only add to the confidence of the group.
" We have picked up some decent wins so far, we are aware how tight the league is - both ahead of us and just below us. The next three or four games will be very important in shaping where we are competing and where we are looking to be. If we can do it right, we could be in a healthy position in a couple of weeks time. "
" Carlisle got out of the traps very, very quickly and were sitting in a lofty position for a number of weeks, but they have been up and down in recent weeks. They recruited well, they are stronger than last year that is for sure, and they will be pleased with their start to the season overall.
" They have some threats in attacking areas and have scored a lot of goals. They play a fluid system in forward areas that we need to be aware of. They will be looking to get back to winning ways after being beaten by Charlton last week in what looked like a humdinger of a game.
" We will be aware of what they do and where they are, but as always it is about us. We think that we can exploit them in one or two areas, and we think we have the players in the right areas of the pitch where we can cause them problems. We want to build on a home record that is OK, but it is important we get these wins to push us towards the play offs.
" All the non-starters from Hartlepool played in a reserve team friendly up at Hereford on Tuesday afternoon, which was an excellent exercise, and there were some very good performances. Harry Pell took a bit of a knock, but we are hoping he is fit to take his place in the squad.
" You are always looking to improve and progress, and certainly there were a few performances at Hereford on Tuesday that have pushed people forward in my thoughts. Every day in training evaluations are made on players, and we are going to pick a team that we feel best to beat Carlisle on Saturday. "
" It was a good piece of movement by John Akinde and a cracking finish at Hereford, so that will give him a little boost. He made a good impact when he came off the bench against Hartlepool, and set up one of the goals. He is an important player for us. He is frustrated he is not starting at the moment, but he will start games, and he will have a big part to play while he is here on loan.
" In previous seasons we have had centre-halves scoring a few goals from set pieces and midfield players who contributed heavily last year, and you need to share the goals around. We have not scored enough at home so far this season, and that is something we are looking to put right. Creation of chances needs to be more frequent and we need to make better decisions in the final third, hopefully that will lead to more goals and more goals from different areas of the pitch.
" We are monitoring situations with a number of goalkeepers. Mikkel Andersen has performed to a good level and made some cracking saves up at Hartlepool. I think by his own admission when he first came he had not played the games through pre-season that he would have liked, but now he has got games under his belt he is not only back to where he was last year, we think he has made a few steps forward as well.
" He is here until January initially, and then we will look at the situation. We would love to further that until the end of the season, but that is a decision that Reading will make, and we have to abide by that. In the meantime we are keeping tabs on other possibilities to make sure we are not going to be left short. We have been pleased with Mike Green's progress and he has shown himself capable in the first team, but it is an important position and it is important we have a way forward if things don't look bright in terms of Mikkel in January. "