United goalkeeper Mark Gillespie (MG) spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's James Phillips (JP) following Carlisle's 2-2 League One draw at home to Swindon, Gillespie pleased with his performance in the game:
JP
What does it feel like to be man of the match for Carlisle United in your third start for the club?
MG
Yeah, delighted, I got one as well for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy but I think I have earned this one, disappointed not to keep a clean sheet and not get the win but pleased with how I did I suppose.
JP
It was a barmy game for Carlisle today wasn't it, just couldn't quite get the ball in the areas where they normally hurt teams, and Swindon were a constant threat to you?
MG
Yeah, I think it must have been an entertaining game to watch, both teams looked dangerous going forward, certainly enjoyable to play in. But, I think they are a good side, they will be up there and hopefully we will be too, so it was a good point in the end.
JP
What is it like for you in these matches where it is so last line and you are involved so much, because there are games where goalkeepers are only involved in the game a couple of times, but you were a central figure for United today?
MG
Yeah, I think it is probably easier to keep your head, those long games where it is maybe you are winning 1-0 and you have had nothing to do and then you have to be called upon at the end, they are the difficult ones. Today it was all-action and I was just able to not really think about it and just get involved and try to do my best.
JP
From the dressing room, were the players happy with a point in the end? Because, it was a hard earned point against a good Swindon side?
MG
Yeah, I think so, that was the message that it was a tough, tough game and if we can back it up with a win on Tuesday then obviously it is a good point, so that is what we need to do now.
JP
What does it feel like for you because you are in the firing line now, instead of the guy waiting in the fringes hoping for the chance, you are in there and it is your place to give up at the moment. It is a different world isn't it?
MG
Yeah, I have always been told to be on my toes over the last season and a little bit of the season before was always the case because you never know when you are going to get your chance. So, I have always been on my toes and it has come over the last few weeks, I have just enjoyed playing games because that is what I came here to do.
JP
One of the roles of the goalkeeper it would seem in the modern game is to bark orders and tellings-off to the back four sometimes, it must be an interesting position that for you. One of your heroes Shay Given is renowned for doing it, the likes of Peter Schmeichel as well, but feeling so junior it must be harder for you to do that?
MG
I think so but I have been around the players for a while now, especially like Danny Livesey and Peter Murphy. That is one of the big messages from Tony Caig and the gaffer (Greg Abbott) and Kav (Graham Kavanagh) is that I am in there for a reason so there is no need to be afraid of who I am playing with and I need to send the message out there. That is what I have to do and I think they respect you even more for being vocal and for being there for them, so that is what I am trying to do.
JP
And you have mentioned then in theory if they can get a win, if you can get a win on Tuesday, four points out of the sort of extended weekend good and that could be what United need. What have the players been saying about hopefully getting that done then on Tuesday in the dressing room?
MG
Well, it is just all minds focused to Tuesday now, it is about preparing over the weekend and keeping ourselves right. I think it is massive because if we can win on Tuesday then that makes this point a really, really good point, where if we don't manage to get the win it is maybe points dropped. But, we will see how it goes because we have got a few tough games to come, so we could really do with those three points on Tuesday.
JP
And just a final thought for Adam Collin, he had 146 games I think running in the team after displacing Lenny Pidgeley, I don't think he got a man of the match, I think it was one of his bugbears that he never seemed to get one however well he did. But, you have gone and pulled one out of the bag so early and not your only one in recent matches?
MG
No, Adam has obviously done really well, it can change very quickly so I am just focused on my own game and doing as well as I can.