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JP
What have you made of today's game?
GA
I don't know, it probably sums up the best and worst of us I suppose in a game. It has been hard work, I am absolutely exhausted, the players are as well. I think they have put in a fantastic effort, I thought it was a fantastic game. I thought both teams contributed in their own ways, and I thought it was a terrific, terrific game of football. We are absolutely delighted to have won this game.
JP
When the goal came, it is fair to say Notts County created more of the better chances, although you were vying with them in terms of chances, but what emotions were you going through at that stage?
GA
All sorts, whether to make another substitution, whether to leave Gary (Madine) with it for a bit longer because he is scoring goals. He has got six now, it is a terrific return in terms of games played, it is better than one in two I think already.
Would we have enough attacking quality on the pitch to see the game out? But, we found it didn't we and really we are probably disappointed that we haven't won the game 3-0 or 4-0 in the end.
JP
In a way I suppose, Notts County would sympathise with the problem that you have been having in terms of creating a lot of chances but just not taking them today, and you have capitalised?
GA
I don't think they have made fantastic chances, they were more half-chances, the stuff that we have been made of really. But, we made fantastic chances in the second-half, Gary's one that he should score and Francois (Zoko) has found himself in some unbelievable positions and just picked the wrong pass at times in the last third. But, his contribution today is wow.
JP
I have just been speaking to Dean Yates who of course has played in the Premier League, the Championship and all over and he said he just can't believe that you have found a player like Francois Zoko. He couldn't give him enough compliments.
GA
Well that is the hard work that goes into this football club, honestly. We try so hard, the players try so hard, they are on the pitch, we are on the training ground and with the scouting system we have got. He came through a friend of mine that knows the agent abroad very, very well who recommended him.
We hunted him out and sought after him through the summer. We got him in, we worked with him pre-season and it was his honesty that we liked and the way he responded to the work ethic that we had at the club. His ability is very, very good but we found the right type of person as well, and I think the crowd are loving him here.
JP
In terms of the work at the back, another clean sheet for you, still the meanest defence in League One and that will continue of course. At times riding your luck just a little bit, but at other times, some of the work there, in particular from (Frank) Simek and (James) Chester we thought was breathtaking at the back.
GA
I agree with you, you do ride your luck at times but they have got some decent players. But, do you know what? To be fair I think Sean McDaid's clearance at the far-post in about the 89th minute would never have happened before at this football club.
It was a sensational clearance, he is coming up against somebody that is always six inches bigger than him and there is no way that he was going to let that be conceded easily. He managed to get it away, I don't know how he has got it away and over the bar and out.
But, that is the type of defending we had, and then we had our blocks, the usual blocks again. The combination between Peter (Murphy) and James again, we have not had that together long, has worked again, and Frankie is Mr Reliable. I thought there was tremendous effort from everybody today when things didn't always go our way.
They matched our system up, which makes it difficult, it was a man for man system that they used against us and stopped us creating through our passing game. That is when we introduced the bit of width and it worked for us.
The substitutions, Matty (Robson) on the left-hand side was breathtaking at times and it is the perfect game for him when it has all opened up and he gets a fair amount of ball. He certainly terrorised John Thompson and gave us that extra bit of drive and pace and power down the left-hand side and gets the ball into Gary, who I thought finished it tremendously.
JP
He was tremendous, and he also did it again, Gary Madine perhaps should have scored but the work from Matty Robson to set up that chance for him in the 80th minute, it was just a great attack?
GA
It was brilliant play and Gary is absolutely distraught with himself that he hasn't got another one, because he said that was easier than the one he scored, and I wouldn't disagree with him on that.
But, as a manager he has given me ten minutes of hell and I need to take something off him for that, I might take money off him for a Christmas drink out of it because I have got to fine him for missing chances like that haven't I? Because it killed me for ten minutes.
JP
I bet it has, in terms of games, I am sure as a manager you prefer a nice composed, probably a little boring, 2-0 or 3-0 victory. But, when you get a result like this where things go your way a little bit and you work so hard for it, is it sometimes better for the mood of the team?
GA
It is a fantastic feeling right now, I have gone through hell down there this afternoon. Do you know what I have to say? The fans stuck with us all the way through the game, I thought they were magnificent today. There were a few mutterings after about 65 or 70 minutes, shall we do this or shall we do that? Which always happens, that is the fans.
But, they stuck with us today and that has not been happening either sometimes. They really do get frustrated but today I thought they were magnificent, sensational, they have helped us win this game today. Because, there are times in the game where we need help and that is why you have got your 5,000 to 6,000, however many it was, there.
They are on our side and they certainly showed that today and I thought they gave the lads a rousing reception at the end for the effort. Maybe not the 100% quality all through the game, but certainly the effort that was given and the fact that these boys don't want to lose games. I think that collectively everybody has contributed to a win today for Carlisle.
JP
A quick word on former man Karl Hawley, if Notts County really don't want to use him too much this season, you would take him back here wouldn't you?
GA
He is a good player, listen, we like Karl, Dennis (Booth) and myself got on with him very, very well here. We tried to do something with him but the finance blew us away when Notts County were throwing a lot of money around. But, he is one that you are always looking at quality and someone that is that little bit different.
He has proved today that if you get the ball into him in and around the box then he makes things happen. He has been a bit unlucky maybe not to set something up for his side, but I am glad we kept him quiet and I hope he scores a few more goals towards the end of the season.
JP
And just finally, after three consecutive home games, three in eight days as well, back on the road next time out and a chance to continue that pretty tasty away form of yours?
GA
Yeah, a local derby, Exeter, 19 hours by a camel, set off by about Wednesday.