United midfielder Jon-Paul McGovern (J-PM) spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's James Phillips (JP) following Carlisle's 3-1 League One defeat away to Bournemouth, McGovern saying the Blues made it tough for the home side:
JP
The biggest compliment I can pay you guys today in defeat is that it was close, and that shows how tight it was between you two sides?
J-PM
Yeah, definitely, it was a tough game. I think we made it real tough, especially in the first-half, a couple of balls across the box there where we were unlucky not to get on the end of it. Rory Loy has hit the bar which on another day might have gone in. They have got the goal and we have come back in, so we have put on a good show today I think and we are a little bit disappointed that with the money Bournemouth have spent and the budget that they have got and the way they have got their players, but good luck to them.
JP
I think a lot of people have enjoyed the day from Bournemouth today, does it sort of make you players a little bit even hungrier or thirstier for this sort of day yourself now next season?
J-PM
Definitely, I don’t think we have to see Bournemouth celebrating to have that hunger. We get up every day and we try to be the best footballers we can be, we come in and we train. A lot of us do extra and we do yoga and we do different things away from the training as well to maximise and see how good you can become.
So, I don’t think we have to see Bournemouth for that, Greg Abbott has instilled in us that we come in and we work hard and we see how good we can become. We have finished the season a little bit better than people would probably have thought with the results, six unbeaten going into this game. So, it has given us a little bit of confidence for next year and hopefully we can keep the squad together and make a push.
JP
With that unbeaten run you have found, does that sort of just a little bit tinge everything with a bit of disappointment that you couldn’t have found that earlier in the season and got that run that might have got you more in amongst the sort of promotion hunt?
J-PM
Yeah, definitely, I think we have taken confidence from how we have played and how we have gone about our business. We just needed that team selection to stay as the eleven and that is what has happened I think of late where the same eleven has been starting the games. Last season the success came for us by the starting eleven being pretty settled and I think everybody knew what to do and we had a certain way of playing. So, I think we have missed that a little bit this year but we had it of late and that has been proven with the results.
JP
How much have you been enjoying this run of play, because Chris Lumsdon is always at pains to point out the stuff that I don’t think maybe fans and even commentators like myself would always see that you do, but the last few games he has not needed to point things out, you have been so obvious in the game?
J-PM
Yeah, I think I have got a job to do for the team. I don’t think I always get the recognition, I had a little pop at the press, the local press especially, I pick up the paper just like everyone else and you see 7, 8, 7, 8, J-P McGovern 6, 5. So, that is always tough to read when you think you have done your job for the team.
But, as long as my team-mates appreciate it, to be honest that is the main thing, the manager is an obvious one and if I am playing every week then I must be doing something right and I am carrying out exactly what he wants me to do in the game. I have never been a very quick winger that is going to get to the touchline and put a cross in, I am always looking for a pass round the corner or to put a ball into the box.
I would like to think I have probably got the most assists this season with the way that I play. So, I think you should speak to David Beckham, I don’t think he needs a real turn of pace to get down the line and put a ball on someone’s head, I would like to think I can do that from a little bit deeper.
JP
You have got the most assists as well by the way, how much does this make you look forward to next season now and what this club can build with the blend of the young players coming through that you have got that are very exciting for the fans, and the other players like yourself who are in there who add that experience and wisdom?
J-PM
Yeah, definitely, it is an exciting time for Carlisle. We have seen young Alex Salmon coming on today, Bradley Potts of late has done fantastic, we have played some real good young players who are coming through. It is decision time for most of us, I think there are a lot of us out of contract so we are hoping to see, and I include myself in that, we are hoping to find out in the next week or so what our situation is going to be and then see what we can do from there. I have enjoyed my time here and hopefully it can continue.
JP
Do you want to stay?
J-PM
Oh yeah, definitely, I have enjoyed my time here and I think, like you say, you don’t always get the recognition sometimes. But, I am enjoying my football, I enjoy the way the gaffer sets up and how we try to play. I have got some real good friends in the team and hopefully we can all stay together and make a real push.
JP
And I must ask finally, when did you decide to have hair?
J-PM
It started as a bit of banter really with the boys, and I had a bet with Paul Thirlwell to see if I would look a bit younger with hair. I have had a bit of confidence from the boys who are telling me that I look younger, and I am trying to push now and am trying to be 37 or 38 instead of 48. So, I am happy with it, I have got a little bit of product in there as well, so I am quite delighted.