John Ward - Radio Cumbria Interview

Last updated : 13 March 2008 By Thetashkentterror

John Ward
United boss John Ward spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's Derek Lacey on Monday morning ahead of the home game with Luton Town tonight, Ward first looking back at the 2-0 win over Brighton at Brunton Park on Saturday :


" It was a smashing weekend for us and a good position to be in with a home game coming up tomorrow night. So we're delighted so far but, as you know, us football people look on the other side, the cautious side, we've just got to make sure that the attitude is as good as it was on Saturday towards Luton Town.

" We can't rely on other people, if we get a bit of help then that is great but we can't rely on them. We've got an excellent home record as you know, we've got Luton Town coming here who are having a tough time at the minute. Any complacency though, or any mistake, anything like that can give them a lift and we've got to make sure that we are on top of the game right from the beginning.

" They have got Mick Harford in charge of them and I know Mick personally. He and I played together at Lincoln City in the early 80's/late 70's and he's a real fighter, he's a tough character and there is no way he will come up here and allow his team to be rolled over. We've got to make sure that we get in their faces, and that we have the same approach to the game as we showed here and we showed at Nottingham which was delightful. So if we can do that then we've got to put our imprint on the game as quick as we can and see if we can push them back.

" We were very strong on Saturday and the conditions were awful, in those conditions anything can go strangely against you or for you or whatever. So you have to be spot on, you have to do it properly. We put away the hype about the Nottingham Forest game which was very nice, we enjoyed the compliments that came our away but it would have counted for very little had we not got it right on Saturday. Against a good side as well in Brighton I may add. So that was pleasing, and that will be the point that I will be making on Monday morning exactly the same to the team about the game on Tuesday. We must remain in that frame of mind.

" We haven't got anyone eyed to come in on loan yet, games have been coming thick and fast and I have been really concentrating on this team and this group of players. I think that at the moment they are happy, comfortable, playing good football and it would be wrong of me to bring a player in and not put him in the side. It might be wrong of me to bring one in and put him in the side though, because the side itself is doing well so I am in that sort of limbo situation at the moment. I'll just wait and see, it's not as if we don't know about players that maybe are available but at the moment I'm happy with the strength of the squad.

" I'm talking to one or two people about contract extensions here but I will not go public with that and start getting involved in that. We've got very much the focus of getting where we want to be and try to finish as high as we can this year. Those things will all take their course but certainly I'm not sitting back waiting, there are one or two players and I chatting about what may happen in the future. I think that this is an excellent squad, I'd very much like to keep it together, the bulk of it together as much as I can. If we can we can develop that together, so it's in my mind but the immediate future is probably the more important at this moment.

" The young age of the squad bodes well for Carlisle United and I see them on a daily basis in how they get on well together and how they work together and how they treat each other. Their conduct is excellent in a group and it is very much together and that's why I say one or two bad apples, if I get it wrong, I can break that up quite quickly and that's something that I don't want to do. It's a very strong dressing-room at the moment and that is proving it's worth on the pitch. "