Greg Abbott - Radio Cumbria Interview

Last updated : 22 August 2010 By Thetashkentterror

Blues boss Greg Abbott
United boss Greg Abbott (GA) spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's James Phillips (JP) on Thursday at Carlisle's official 2010-11 squad photograph session, Abbott first talking about the 1-1 draw at Plymouth last Saturday :


GA

A long trip last week and a decent result, it could have possibly been better. But, again, we have had a nice week's work, we are just getting to the stage now where we are getting our preparation right for Saturday. Hopefully we can keep the momentum going and the type of performances going that we are producing and we get another good result.





JP

What do you expect from MK Dons this weekend?

GA

Well, they are a good passing side, they like to play football and the pitch behind us is obviously conducive to that. They have got a lot of quality, again, they are one of the bigger clubs financially so we are expecting a really tough game. But, to be fair most of the games are at this level and we just need to keep doing what we are doing and I think we will be OK.





JP

Of course they didn't have a game last weekend because of the tragic passing of the Southampton owner (Markus Liebherr). Do you think because that is quite a long time without competitive action, could that play into your hands?

GA

The lads have done their work pre-season, had all their friendlies and they have had two games, one in the league and one in the cup. So, I think they probably would have preferred a game last weekend if they could have had one, but I don't think it will be a major problem either way. I am sure they have probably got their appetite now ready for the game, so I don't think it is an issue either way.





JP

And it looked like in their opening league game that Didier Hamann had quite an influential game in there. What an exciting prospect it is for your guys to play against someone like him?

GA

Yeah, he has been a great player, without question he has been at a fantastic club and he has played for his country, a top footballing nation. But, I am not so sure he will like running around after Tom Taiwo for 90 minutes because I think Tom has got a bit more energy than he has.

But, if you let him have time and space he will hurt us. But, if he plays we have to deal with that and what he can do. But, I am sure that Tom's energy and Berrett's energy and that around him will certainly snuffle him out as a passing force.





JP

They are a team who you enjoyed a fair amount of success against last year, is that something that you will be looking to build on this time around? Or does it all change season on season?

GA

I will certainly take the same result home and away against them. But, it will be tough, it is a new season, everything is different. I think what we have got to do is keep playing like we are doing and keep the enthusiasm from the terraces and the enthusiasm from the pitch and keep it all rolling and get that momentum flying on and keep the thing going. So, we are OK at the minute.





JP

Do you ahead of a game like this at home, with a week to prepare, do you think more about what they are doing or do you try to lay down your plan and let them think about what you are doing?

GA

It is a bit of both you know, we respect everybody we play, we obviously have to identify their strengths and their weaknesses and we work on how we can snuff out their strengths and how we can maybe exploit their weaknesses.

So, we give respect to everybody and MK Dons will be no different, but certainly we want to get after them and impose our style of play and our pace and the energy within our play and try to take the game to them.





JP

I bet for you and the fans it would be great to have seven points on the board come the weekend?

GA

Well, you dream about good starts and if we can get a win on Saturday then that has been an absolute flyer. You look at the disappointment of Saturday where we could have had another two points, and we could be sitting nicely. But, listen, that is all talk and it is easier to talk about three points, we have got to go and make it happen, and after Saturday if we have got seven then that has been a terrific start in the league.