United boss Graham Kavanagh (GK) spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's Paul Newton (PN) at Thursday's open press conference for the local media, Kavanagh first talking about a slightly different 4-3-3 formation:
GK
It has been a real focus on the players, we have implemented quite a few changes in the structure and in the manner of which we have played, albeit it is still a 4-3-3, but it is a different variation on a 4-3-3. We have tried to capitalise on the pace and the strength that we have at the top end of the pitch while trying to add resilience at the other end. Up to now it has worked and the lads have bought into it apart from one poor performance last weekend, but on Tuesday it was a great performance against a very good side.
PN
How important is it to try to keep that momentum going for as long as possible now?
GK
Well, I think the first thing is you only focus on the next game. Bristol City is going to be a really tough game, I don’t think we can look too far ahead. I know we have spoken about momentum and that is why I felt Tuesday was hugely important to make sure that we got some sort of result against a difficult side.
It makes the job a hell of a lot easier and I think it was important also that because we signed Prince Buaben, it was important that he was there the other night. It gives players a lift because you know that your job is maybe in jeopardy and your position in the team is under threat, so you have got to give your maximum.
PN
You have mentioned the word quality before, that is precisely what Pascal Chimbonda has brought you in these last two games, are you considering maybe looking beyond those three months at this stage?
GK
No, no, as I say, we are going to take one game at a time. I am not making any promises to players that I can’t keep, I think it is vitally important they are aware that nothing is going to be taken for granted. That goes for me, it goes for the staff, it goes for everybody within the football club.
You are only as good as your last game and we are not going to look too far ahead, so therefore we are not going to start making promises, and all of a sudden a month or two into it after we have signed them and they haven’t performed, and we think that was a decision that was wrong. I know what Pascal is about, I know what he is about as a player and as a man, I mean the negotiations were incredibly easy because he didn’t want any money.
That is being totally honest, he wanted to come, he wanted to play, he wanted to do me a job and do me a favour and he wanted to put himself on the stage and in the window that he could actually go and show the world still what he has to offer. We are reaping the benefits of that and if he is still doing that in January we will be looking to sign him, I told him that and Pascal has no problem with that at all.
I keep knocking on John Nixon’s door and saying look, I could do with another player, I could do with another player. That must be a little bit annoying I think hearing it constantly because the team are doing well. But, there is a reason behind that, I want to have a strong bench, I want to have players in the team who are like for like, as good as each other.
Not a predominant eleven or twelve who are going to play and therefore there is no pressure from behind, because we all perform when we are looking over our shoulder. If we can create that and build that and continue to get results then I am sure they will continue to back us and who knows where it will take us.
So, the transfer window coming up in January, we definitely want to be in the top half of the table and certainly in the cup competitions also. If that is the case then John has told me that he would back us. It doesn’t necessarily always mean in terms of the market, but there is a lot of stuff I want to do behind the scenes in terms of sports science.
PN
You have made it known that Mike Edwards has been made available to leave the club, where does that currently stand, has there been any interest in Mike so far?
GK
No, as of today as I sit here now I haven’t heard anything. That may change and it can change in an hour really on a daily basis. But, up to now I haven’t heard anything. I think it is important for Mike that he gets games, that he goes out there and he gets himself back in the shop window.
PN
And like any other manager at this level you have to do an element of wheeling and dealing with players coming in, will that mean we might see other players going out?
GK
Yeah, well I mean finances dictate that and I think players who are here who aren’t going to figure, I think it is important to be fair to them if they have been fair to me and the football club in giving their all. It might be a case of even one or two of the younger lads maybe getting some game time elsewhere just to progress their careers and to give them some game understanding and the importance of Saturday to Tuesday football.
We will address that over the forthcoming days and weeks and see what we have available. I think it is important that we don’t dive in too quickly, because we have seen what can happen when the squad is slightly decimated. We do need a bigger group but I think we have to be calculated in the risks that we take.
PN
You have already mentioned Prince Buaben, how much is he in your thoughts in terms of selection for this weekend?
GK
I do want to get him on the pitch, I know what he brings to the team, I know what he brings to the squad. He has already brought a great deal on Tuesday night just by his presence of being there. So, we will assess him, I mean he is not match-fit and he is not match ready as of yet, but this morning is going to be a big indicator as to where he is at.
PN
Any other injury concerns at this stage?
GK
No, other than a permanent headache that I have had since I got the job, which I never thought I would have but I do. That is obviously the pressure you put yourself under, all these managers keep talking about waking at four in the morning, I tell you what, it is bang on four o’clock, it is like in your head the alarm goes and you are awake.
You are thinking about why you are awake, but you are thinking about all sorts, you are thinking about the directors, the club, the fans, the players, the position, the results, the training sessions. So, yeah, I am ready to go and get a scan myself to see if I can get rid of this headache.