United boss Greg Abbott (GA) spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's James Phillips (JP) following Carlisle's 2-1 pre-season friendly loss at Morecambe this evening, Abbott saying the Blues played some decent stuff in the opening 45 minutes :
JP
Highs and lows in that match I am sure for you tonight?
GA
Yeah, we played some really decent stuff in the first-half we felt. The system worked really well, they couldn't contain us, we passed it around for fun, we got in some great areas, probably even in our quality in the first-half at getting the ball into the box was not as good as it should be, scored a great goal and looked really, really decent. Second-half is maybe what pre-season is all about, what we have said throughout the games is that we are going to give as many people as much time as we can.
But, the team will end up picking itself from performances, and you have seen some of the players there that are shorter than others at the moment. So, the team will sort of make its team up on its own. We are probably down to about 16 or 17 players now and that's what happens, performances will say well there is my best eleven, and then you will have two or three that are, or two or three or four positions that are really close and you decide nearer the Notts County game which players to go with.
But, that is what we are all about and everybody has had some pitch time now, and we have seen some good things and we have seen second-half the tempo drop, the pace of our game drop, the thrust of our game drop and the dynamism of our game was below par. Then you see what happens, you put yourself on the back foot, they get into the game and get two goals, two really poor goals if you like from our point of view. If that is a league game we are coming away from here thinking how have we got beat in a game where we had as much control through loads of the game.
So, that is pre-season for you, making ten changes in a game isn't ideal and it upsets the rhythm and the pattern. I am obviously disappointed with the result because I don't like losing and I have told them that, we don't like getting beat. You have got to look at the fact that hang on a minute, we have made ten changes and changes at different stages of the game which obviously upset the fluency, but that is what pre-season friendlies are all about.
JP
You talked about getting through these early games and then up towards the Doncaster match and then evaluating things in terms of whether you need to do more work in the transfer market, has it moved your mind on any more in that respect?
GA
My mind is always moving towards making us better, and I have always said that if I think I can do something to make us better then I will do. But, there are probably three or four players now that aren't quite ready for the first-team football, we have seen that now over the two or three bit part games they have played. So, we have to look at whether 15 or 16 is going to be enough and if we don't think it is then we have to go to the board and say, listen, we probably need one more that is ready to play now and make an impact. Because, there are a few players there that need a bit more time.
JP
One player who had an enormously impressive match for you, inspite of coming on in that second-half where perhaps things weren't quite as good for you was your young full-back Lance McGlen, what a game the youngster had?
GA
Yeah, I mean, listen, Lance is one that is not quite ready but we are taking the opportunity to give him some pitch time and have a look. He is one that we think quite a lot of, along with Josh Todd and along with Bradley Potts who has had a bit of a tough time with injuries. But, we are seeing what they are made of and we are seeing straight away whether we think they can make an immediate impact. Lance is still a little bit short because he is behind Frankie Simek, but we have found out a bit about him haven't we, we have found out that possibly in time he will be able to handle this level. So, that is a plus on the night but probably Frankie is still my number one choice.
JP
I am sure, but one or two fans were a bit concerned in the summer that there wasn't a great deal of cover for Simek if he were to pick up an injury, maybe there is a little bit more than some thought?
GA
Yeah, he is not ready yet, listen, he is not ready yet, he is 16, well 17, and he is still learning his trade and there were one or two times tonight where he made easy passes because he doesn't want to give the ball away and was a bit conservative. We need to get him a bit more confidence and if he is going to be with us and he is going to be on the first-team pitch he does the same things that he does in the youth team, he doesn't pass the buck and he doesn't give it to more experienced players, and we see him getting higher up the pitch like Frankie does and like Matty Robson does from that position rather than just sitting in the back four and being a full-back. We want these players to get high and join in the attack as often as they can.
JP
Rory Loy's goal, if he can chip in with those regularly you shouldn't have a problem with the scoring situation?
GA
Yeah, I mean he did some really, really good things Rory in the first-half and then one or two things after he scored not so good. But, listen, he has scored a fantastic goal, he is in there and he wants to score goals to prove that he is worthy of a place, and he got the only goal of the game and it was a fantastic strike, sorry, our only goal of the game and it was a fantastic strike. He did some good things so I was pleased with him and Paddy (Madden), their work ethic was very, very good and they both looked bright and lively, but we still need them to get in more and more goaltaking positions.
JP
Paddy Madden looked very hungry as well, he looked like he has really come back, he reminded me a little bit of Gary Madine when he came back last season, really looking hungry?
GA
Yeah, they are both really willing and they both really want to make an impact, and that is what this is for, is to see where they are at and they are not a million miles away.
JP
In terms of them though we talk about the goalscorers not getting those goals, do they maybe need a bit of better quality service perhaps to get them?
GA
Yeah, I thought the service in the first-half, we played some fantastic stuff but our crossing was really, really poor. When they are breaking their neck to hold the ball up and get the ball wide and then they are breaking their neck to get in the box they demand service and expect it, and we demand it. There was Tom (Taiwo), there was Frankie, there was Matty Robson all got into great positions and either found the back of the goal or found the keeper's hands, and we need to improve on that for sure.
JP
Have you made decisions on Stuart Green and Lasse Merring-Mikkelsen yet?
GA
Yeah, we have told both players that we are going to run without them, I don't think either are going to be better than what we have got. But, both have been terrific around the squad and certainly were deserving of an extended time with us. But, Stuey was more of a favour to get him fit and we have helped him out and he has helped us out. So, we will wish them both the very best of luck in their careers.
JP
Lasse looked good at times and at times a little bit short of the quality, how close did he come to being more close to you?
GA
Well, we don't have time at the club, we need players to go straight into the first team, and if we make a deal for there it takes a few hundred quid out of a deal for somebody else somewhere else on the pitch which is probably more of a priority. We have got enough midfield players, he is not as good as Paul Thirlwell right now and you have got (James) Berrett and you have got (Liam) Noble and you have got Tom Taiwo, you have got (Jon-Paul) McGovern, you have got (Andy) Welsh, they can all play central if needed so unless he blew us away, we were really impressed with him early on but in the games he has probably proved that he is not that type of player.
JP
And just finally, you are building the calibre of opposition up again at the weekend with the visit of the 'Arsenal of the north' I believe Doncaster are called?
GA
Yeah, so it should be a good game because we are trying to play, we are trying to move the ball and work it into good positions. But, they are all tough tests and we will probably be a bit stronger in terms of our line-up and give the strongest line-up we can a bit more time and we will see where we go. But, we have still got a good week the week after, we have got Middlesbrough and we have got Workington so everybody will get 90 minutes either or in those games, and then we will look at Bradford and we are nearly there.
JP
And a first chance for the home crowd to see the team this summer?
GA
Yeah, that is right, hopefully we will get a result because results are important. I know performances and fitness are vital but results do breed confidence and that is what we are looking for for Saturday.