John Ward On A Cracking Win At Forest

Last updated : 04 March 2008 By Thetashkentterror

John Ward
United boss John Ward spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's Derek Lacey on Monday night as he talked about the excellent 1-0 victory at the City Ground this evening, Ward mentioning the need to take the plaudits tonight and tomorrow but then to concentrate on the Brighton home match on Saturday :


" Hopefully we've given the supporters some joy on their travels, we've been disappointing for them in other games when we've not been good enough but tonight, and certainly at Crewe, we have given them some value. I keep talking about the players and the staff, we've worked exceptionally hard over, in difficult conditions weather-wise Saturday and Sunday.

" All on our own, it's quite a nice weekend to work actually, saying that this is what we would like to do and this is how we are going to set the team out. We'd set our stall yet yesterday morning and said that we had a job to do and that we can win the game this way. It was down to winning the game, I've never talked about anything else with the team and they've responded fantastically well tonight.

" We tried to get some width as well as going forward because we thought that Nottingham Forest would tighten up the midfield with their shape which they did. They don't put a lot of width in there with their midfield people, they come out with their full-backs and we had to deal with all of that. So yes, there was a point of trying to stop the supply for Nottingham Forest.

" You've got players like (Junior) Agogo upfront, really good players, (Sammy) Clingan. International people we are talking about here, we're not talking about anybody you know. So we have to respect them and then respect ourselves as well, which is what we have done. We've shown big respect to Nottingham Forest in how we have set out. "



" They've been forced to change their shape and their ways of playing a little bit, which has been good for us. With a bit of wayward finishing we might have had a second goal in the game but we have certainly had a fair number of shots at goal, although being very wayward. We have gone forward whenever we could though and we've found a win.

" Winning was the most pleasing thing without doubt. If we'd lost the game then Forest would be a point above us but we have now gone five points away from them. That's a couple of games at least that they have got to win and we've got to lose. The consistency of the performance after Huddersfield, Doncaster, Crewe and now here has been really pleasing because that gives us that bit of confidence that we can go anywhere and stand up to teams and play and manage to get results.

" There is a fantastic attitude in this team, in this football club, my staff as well. Work-rate, wanting to work, wanting to do more, we had to stop training yesterday and send the boys in because they wanted to do a bit more. We said no because we were going to have a big effort to put in tomorrow, so that is the kind of approach that I have got from this group of people. If they can maintain that there is certainly enough ability for us to keep enjoying the season.

" At half-time I said in my dressing-room that if it had been 2-2 they would have been absolutely raving over the game on television. It was a terrific game of football, we certainly came to attack and play football. We've passed it well, we were calm, we couldn't get it forward too quickly because Danny (Graham) was a little bit lonely but he has worked his socks off against two very good centre-backs and given them problems all night. "



" There are two very good teams here, I've come away with even more respect for Forest for the way that they play and this football club. It's a fantastic place to be but we've managed to win so I'm grateful for that. A wonderful attendance, it's a football place, you come out and you see the Brian Clough stand. You know, it's a bit of pressure on them because eight pages of their programme tonight is back to the Brian Clough era.

" Incredible really that they are talking about Trevor Francis, Brian Clough and people like that in tonight's programme. I find that amazing because it does put a wee bit of pressure on the home team to win and get promoted. They've got that, we're enjoying the ride so far, we've come a long way in a short time as a football club. This football club has got to get promoted whereas we'd like to but we don't have to if you see what I mean, but that doesn't mean we don't want to.

" They (Evan Horwood and Grant Smith) have found their strength now, Evan has been playing regularly at Gretna so he is OK with that. But people like Scott Dobie, Cleveland (Taylor) and Grant have had to find their legs a wee bit in terms of strength at first-team level. You've seen the ferocity of the games that we have played in, they are now strong, fit young guys with a lot left in them and I think it is spreading through the side. They have done very well, I've got unbelievable competition for places and I'm really delighted with that. I'm very pleased that our new faces have done very well for the club though because for a manager they need to don't they.

" I have just chatted to some other press guys and they are saying that (Keiren Westwood's) were world class saves and I thought that they weren't, I thought that they were good saves. I think Keiren is an excellent keeper, I'd have been upset if he hadn't saved them, I'm not having a go at Keiren because he has been brilliant but he's a very good young goalkeeper when called upon. He's kept his concentration, he's lively, he's bright and I've been really pleased with his form. I'm a bit surprised he got man-of-the-match but then the away team on television, the goalkeeper gets man-of-the-match. "



" I look at that chasing pack more than the ones close to us because Swansea are probably away. We keep talking about the top six, and if I keep trying that then we'll be OK. I'll be fine for Brighton, I've got a few days to think about the formation. I've got a real quality staff behind me who are not short in offering their opinions and viewpoints, and I like that, and in the end I select the team and they decide that am I right, so we'll do that again next week.

" I am pleased but I'm a realist as well and what we mustn't do is still be harping on about this come next Thursday and forget the importance of the home matches to come. If we can maintain this sort of approach to our home games then hopefully we can add more points to the total. It is something that we have got to keep trying to do, the pats on the back tonight are fantastic and we'll enjoy them again tomorrow.

" On Thursday though we'll have the blinkers on and get ready for the next football match. Because that's how life is in our game, but we'll enjoy this and it's a fantastic result for our supporters. They were great, they were brilliant, they've loved it, it's a long trip home but it won't be for them. I'm as proud as they are tonight so hopefully we'll have one or two more nights like this.

" Scott Dobie and Joe Garner are here, they have asked to come, I wanted them here anyway but young Joe is limping on the pitch bless him. We've said before that he is delighted as anybody and we've got to work hard for people like him so that when him and Paul Thirlwell come back into this squad, whenever that is, that they have still got a good team to work with. They are all good friends and good strong people. "