United media officer and first team kitman Andy Hall (AH) spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's James Phillips (JP) ahead of Carlisle's League One match at home to Exeter, Hall first talking about :
JP
Two wins on the trot, did you know that United are going to win their first ever three matches in a row in the league under Greg Abbott?
AH
Yeah, isn't it somewhere around or about the beginning of 2008 (March 2008) or something like that, which is an amazing statistic. You are right, if we can do it again tonight, especially the way we played the last two and a half games away from home, and I would include the Southampton second-half in that, then we won't go far wrong I don't think.
The lads have really dug deep, they have really played well and they have pulled the results out of the bag that we needed. Because, I think people were starting to get a bit edgy, we were a little bit too close to the relegation zone when we have all been wanting to look up the way rather than down the way this season.
JP
I have been talking to a few fans, sensible fans, you get fans who are very radical with their thoughts, some who are a little bit glass always full, some a bit more empty. But, some sensible fans say it annoys them when people talk about the play-offs, I have been trying to temper that and not talk about that, just let Carlisle finish where they are going to finish and not push that one too much. The further you get away from the relegation zone though everyone is going to feel a lot better about it basically?
AH
Absolutely, you have got to set yourself a target and people have got different targets for what they think safety will be. Personally I reckon it is 53 and you are absolutely nailed on to stay in the division. The sooner in the season you get to that 53, the better it is for you to look perhaps a little bit further, maybe 60, then to 70, and if you are talking about that level of points come April or May then things might just be happening.
JP
And you have got a chance haven't you. In terms of the line-up tonight, a couple of changes, one enforced in the centre of defence I assume and then one more a tactical rethink by the manager (Greg Abbott), am I right on that?
AH
That is right yeah, Lubo (Lubomir Michalik) is not quite ready, I will let the manager talk about where we are at with Lubo when he does his post-match stuff with you, that is really not for me to discuss at this stage. Obviously, a disappointment because he has been an absolute rock, I think Warren Feeney would pay testament to that.
The other one upfront, Rory Loy, I think he was always going to be gradually introduced, and I think the manager has had a look at what Craig Curran has been doing, full of heart, full of energy, very, very direct is Craig, so Craig has got the nod to come in tonight.
JP
Yeah, great to see Craig Curran come back in, was there ever a temptation to have Rory Loy in there and maybe have Curran playing around him?
AH
I think possibly for the manager that has been the biggest temptation, because Rory Loy does look like there is a player in there doesn't he. Not scared to have a shot, good when he is on the ball, plenty of work-rate, a little bit like Craig Curran to be fair. So, they play as a similar and it is a decision for the manager to make.
JP
Yeah, an exciting one, Gary Borrowdale not named amongst the substitutes, what is behind that?
AH
He phoned in with an illness and it is always best to keep a player away if that is the situation, because the last thing you want is illness spreading around the camp. Particularly when you are on a high you don't want players dropping out because of sickness, tummy bugs, whatever it may be that has affected him, so he has been advised to stay away.
JP
And just something that you have not realised or forgotten, this place that we are here, this is called Brunton Park. I had almost forgotten what it looked like.
AH
I know, we have chewed up some miles haven't we in the last few weeks. It is all to come as well, you are looking at a rearranged game this week for Leyton Orient that has been finalised, and Charlton, and they just keep coming.
JP
Looking forward to a few of the weekends, is it Brentford and Yeovil in the space of a few days, one on the Friday and one on the Tuesday?
AH
Isn't that just before the big 'W' word as well, so what a preparation week that is.
JP
Yeah, it is going to be some period in time, in terms of the little run that Carlisle are on, including as you rightly say that Southampton performance if not result, where is confidence going into a match with a side who we mustn't forget had a fabulous win at Charlton at the weekend?
AH
Yeah, Exeter City did really well didn't they and they have got that in their locker. They are sat neck and neck with us in the league table, one below us or one above us, I can't remember which it is just standing here right now. But, that tells you that they suffer from the same stuff as us and that is a little bit of inconsistency.
At this stage of the season when you are heading into March, if you find consistency then you really are looking up the table, which is what everybody wants to be doing. Both teams will be looking for that, they have got the same kinds of players who will work hard, and they just need to find the results.
JP
And how happy has Greg Abbott been, I know you are around him an awful lot, with the clean sheets in recent matches? I know that perhaps some fans would like to see 5-2, 3-1, whatever, like Exeter are getting, but a couple of clean sheets and then you look at why Carlisle are above Exeter in the table just on goal difference. They are in the top of the bottom half and we are at the bottom of the top half, Carlisle are plus seven and Exeter are minus six, it just shows the difference that a bit of tight defending has had for Carlisle this year?
AH
It makes a huge difference, if you are keeping a clean sheet then all you need is that one clinical opportunity at the other end to go in and you have got yourself three points. We have managed to do it on a number of occasions this season where Adam (Collin) and the boys in front of them, and that is all ten of them, have worked hard and kept that clean sheet. Then you all need is that one chance and we have done it. The last two games I would say has not just been the one chance, it has been the manner of the way we have done it, we could have got a few others as well. So, it is all looking very positive.