|
JP
Three games, three wins, three clean sheets, how do you feel as a manager tonight?
GA
Yeah, it is amazing what a week in football is isn't it? We are talking about weeks now as managers rather than months and years, it doesn't happen, years certainly out of the question. But, the week has been awesome, the performance, probably the best one was Tuesday, a convincing one on Saturday, this had everything to me and was probably the most satisfying. Because, it is a tough place to come, I think they have had five wins and a draw, or something like that.
JP
Eight unbeaten.
GA
Eight unbeaten, and we have come here and to be fair we have done everything. We have played some decent stuff at times but we have really rolled our sleeves up and ground out important victories. Most people in football will tell you that 1-0 wins away from home are the things that charges up the table are made of. We have found that one today and it is really satisfying.
JP
Two very hard-working and hard-battling teams out there, but just what you like to call one of your door openers (Francois Zoko) with a moment of brilliance to decide the match?
GA
Yeah, well, we actually gave him a bit of a rousting at half-time because we felt he had two chances in the first-half to run at pace, which is what he is got. He slowed the thing up and slowed it up and I think I would have caught him a couple of times the way he was dawdling through the pitch. But, when he gets into full gear he is unstoppable, and we wanted to him to do that.
I think when you have got pace like that it is a crime when you don't open your legs and use it, and we didn't think he did in the first-half. So, we had a bit of a go at him, he said "I no understand" at half-time, but he understood enough to get his goal in the second-half and win us the game. Because, he has got quality and he has got great technique and he has won us the game, and for that we are grateful.
JP
We must talk about your back line, in particular Peter Murphy and Lubomir Michalik today. Everyone played their part but I think that is the best I have ever seen Lubo play in Carlisle colours?
GA
I would be loath to single out anybody to be honest, as a manager we don't like to do that. But, I thought the five, the goalkeeper (Adam Collin) was brilliant, absolutely outstanding. I'm just having a chuckle with you because you were a little bit going over the top. He is paid to catch the ball, he is paid to get crosses, anyway, listen, he did all that.
I thought that Liam Cooper was outstanding as well, he is battling away, he has headed it. Frankie (Simek), Frankie did well and was probably the worst of the four. But, Lubo, and you're right, Murph, terrific, blocks after blocks Lubo, he has thrown his body into it and we talked about the Sheffield Wednesday game when we defended and were throwing our bodies on the line.
We think that is what defenders should be doing and it shows you have got a good spirit, it shows a we don't want to get beat sort of attitude. There was a total different outlook to our play today than there was in the Torquay game, and that is what we are looking for. The three performances for different reasons have been terrific and today we didn't half put our bodies on the line to get a victory, which is important.
JP
And everyone to a man went over, including your getting back to full fitness assistant manager Graham Kavanagh, over to the fans, they were so happy with that, you could see what that meant to them today?
GA
Well, let's hope they have forgiven us for dawdling off the pitch at Torquay when we are as disappointed with them. But, they were magnificent today, they sang all the way through, they have seen a real team effort. I think to a man they stood behind and clapped as well, so maybe that was their appreciation of a really good week as well. If we can have a few more weeks like this then the season might turn out an exciting one for us.
JP
And Paul Thirlwell wasn't involved in the squad today, what is the latest on him?
GA
He should be OK for next week.
JP
So, there is no problem with that? Because, I know he did train with you yesterday.
GA
No, he didn't train yesterday, but we brought him down because we want him with us, we want him to make sure he doesn't miss any work. He did the gym work, he did CV work, but he should be fit maybe by later on in the week. But, we needed to give it time because we can't afford anybody, certainly our big players, to be out for any length of time. So, we have got through the game without him and that has been a big plus for us as well.
JP
A very rare bit of time off for you now, before a very, very fraught February and March. I bet that is going to be essential for you as well, that time in terms of the players?
GA
Yeah, I have had a bit of a twine haven't I myself, I have had a bit of a twine about the workload in terms of trying to get players in and get the squad back to where it was in terms of strength. I am going to give the boys Monday off because they have put in an unbelievable effort, and I am going to have Monday off as well.
I will work from home but I am going to close everybody down on Monday and just let them charge their batteries up. We will work right the way through the week, and hopefully, another tough game against Oldham and go one by one. If we can get a result at Oldham and Huddersfield then we are starting to keep the season alive and get it exciting.
Look at the table, it looks a lot better than it did a fortnight ago, and we have made a good start in the Johnstone's Paint thing so things are looking a whole lot healthier today. I am a really, really pleased and proud manager of all the people working for us and with us to get us to where we are, and to get ourselves on yet another platform to kick on and produce some decent results.
JP
And just finally, I must ask you about the transfer situation, are we any closer to anything? Could anything be happening this coming week for Carlisle?
GA
Unfortunately for the last 90 minutes I have had to concentrate on a game, so I didn't have my phone with me.
JP
Selfish.
GA
So selfish, you are right, but I will check my phone and see if (Leo) Messi is going to come after all.
JP
So, nothing on that just at this moment?
GA
I wasn't giving much away there was I?