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JP
They made you work a little bit but they got there in the end, the players.
GA
Yeah, we are a side that does make life hard for us at times. We think we get to 3-1, the only scoreline I can see is 4-1 if we play the game right and we keep the ball moving and we keep the ball going in behind their back four. It is a tricky night with the conditions but we contrived to shoot ourselves in the foot again and gave ourselves a really awkward four of five minutes to play out.
But that is us I suppose, I don't suppose as a manager I can be too critical because they are pulling up trees for us to be fair the players in terms of the effort and the commitment and that. But we just as a management staff, we would just like every now and again to be able to relax and say we are going to win a game from a 3-1 position quite comfortably without having to go at the nerve ends late on.
JP
Both their goals were disappointing for you, you could have been a lot more convincing in terms of the scoreline, because you were a lot better than that.
GA
I agree with you but is that not just a little bit of an indicator of how far we have come and how much we have improved. That we are disappointed, well not disappointed, we have won 3-2, we are delighted we have won 3-2. But we are not happy that we haven't won the game more convincingly and been able to really enjoy the game.
Which we feel we should have capitalised on our superiority if you like with a more handsome scoreline than that. What we have done then, when you are only down to a one goal slender lead, you are offering a chance for teams to come and nick points. We have done that too many times in my time here and that is something we need to put to bed.
JP
Another good reaction though, it was a sloppy goal that gave Hartlepool the lead, but what a good reaction to come back and get 3-1 ahead from your players?
GA
They are a fantastic set of players, we enjoy working with them and they enjoy working with us. I think if they really show the belief in what they can achieve then you never know where we might go.
But now the cups we are in and now seeing ourselves in the top half of the table, as a manager I really should be very satisfied with what we are doing at this club and the way we have done it and how hard it is to achieve what we have achieved. We should be very pleased with ourselves.
JP
Tom Taiwo as well, finally getting that goal that his perfomances have deserved.
GA
Yeah, some of his shooting leaves a lot to be desired but it was good play again to get the ball into Vincent (Pericard), which we wanted to do all night, he held it up, that is what he does well. And he pops it off, and Tom for me has just got to keep the ball on target hard and low, which is exactly what he did and he was delighted.
We are pleased for him because that it is what he needs to add to his game to become that complete player. He needs to get some goals in his game, as like the Kavs (Graham Kavanagh) and the other good midfield players have in their locker.
JP
You mentioned Vincent Pericard's involvement in that goal, he and Taiwo very much key players in your team now. We are into that stage aren't we, we are coming towards Christmas aren't we, how close are we to knowing whether you will be keeping those two players longer term?
GA
We are not, it is simple as that, we are not. But Vincent's agent was here tonight so I am going to have a chat with him tomorrow I think. Tom's situation is I think is closer, I think we have a great chance of sorting Tom out and making sure he stays.
But at the minute the more wins we get I think the more chance they have got of staying. The more successful we are as a club and a team, and making them see that we are going to go in the right direction then I think we have a genuine chance of keeping them.
JP
Tom Taiwo came back into the team after his suspension, and man of the match so vindication for him coming in. But some fans could see why Peter Murphy might be a bit upset, what was your thinking behind all of that?
GA
I would be upset if I was Peter Murphy as well but we want round pegs in round holes. Peter was terrific on Saturday, he is a terrific professional, he has come and done a terrific job for us but Tom is our A1 midfield player. He is tried and tested in there, he has played in near enough every game this season and that was the decision I had to make.
We brought Tom back because he knows the position, he knows it well, he gives you that energy and that drive round the park. He has scored his goal and we have won the game. So it is disappointing for Peter, I understand all that but it is not about Peter or me or anybody, it is about selecting the right team to win games, and we have done that tonight.
JP
And the manager keeping Peter out of the centre of defence, Ian Harte scored another goal, is he two clear on eight now for the season?
GA
I think so yeah, eight goals and another really calm composed performance from him. We need to keep protecting that area don't we and still improve in terms of our goals conceded but Ian is a good player, and Peter is a good player.
We have got some very good players in the club, we have had Adam Clayton on the bench as well tonight which is another one that could have felt like he could be in for a recall. But we have gone with what we thought was the best team for the night, we have won the game, we think we were better than them, so probably I am OK with that at the moment.
JP
I am sure you are, looking ahead to the weekend then, another long trip, how much are you looking forward to another chance in the league to extend this good run? Because it is three wins on the trot.
GA
Yeah, I need a breather at the minute, it is exhausting watching us at the moment in a number of ways. Tomorrow we are going to train, we are going to get a few things out of our system, I want them in, I want them working, I want them ready for Saturday.
If they think they have achieved anything they are wrong, we have achieved nothing, all we have done is prove to myself and to everybody here that we are capable. That is what we are proving at the minute, we are capable, but we haven't done anything yet.
We certainly haven't achieved anything and I am not happy looking at the table with us only being 12th, I think we are a better side than 12th I really do. I think if we can show that belief and a bit more discipline in terms of protecting our goal we can sneak up a few more places and then you never know what might happen.
JP
And two things to work on in training, however you do, starting the match at a 100 miles an hour rather than at about ten miles an hour, and also making sure you close out games. Take those two elements outside of tonight's performance and it would have been a fine 3-0 win.
GA
Yeah, and you are not wrong to say that. But we have scored three, we have only conceded two, that is the nature of the game. I am happy, the club should be happy, we can look at them and work on them which we always do and hopefully we can go down to Gillingham and cause them problems as well.
JP
Back to back Tuesday night high scoring games that Carlisle have won, the fans are entertained if nothing else.
GA
Well they ask for entertainment, they ask for stuff to talk about, they are certainly getting it at the minute. So onwards and upwards, we are all sticking together and terrific.