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"We've got a few injuries so it's a question of looking after them and seeing how they are doing, the rest of the lads are feeling reasonably well considering the result on Saturday. We've just had a little bit of a lesson over the last three games with the teams that we've played but it certainly won't be easy because we're playing Brentford, they are scrapping and scraping for points so it will be just as difficult. They are a slightly different team in the way that they play compared to what we've played in the last three games, we try to prepare as much, and as professionally, as we possibly can and we'll be ready like we have been for every game.
" I've never been out on New Years Eve because of the games, from 16 all the way to where I am now I've been used to playing over the Christmas period. The players and the staff are used to that, to the Easter period, and to the games coming thick and fast. Yes it's tough on the players, but the players know what it's all about, they know how to look after themselves. You do well if you have the same team for the three games I suppose, but at the same time if you are winning and playing well then the players want to play in every single game. Sometimes you have to change it though because it is physically tiring.
" I've thoroughly enjoyed the job so far, my expectations when I first came in and saw the players is that we are probably in the right position now. If we can try and improve that over the next half of the season then we'll be in a great position. I'm sure the players are enjoying training, because they are coming in with a smile on their face, they are certainly enjoying playing. It's great to see big crowds as well, especially at home and the away following as well.
" Really we just need to look for an improvement to try and win a few more games away from home. We also need to keep our home form going because I think that before I came here the club had another fantastic season in getting promotion, and I think the year has finished off superbly. From the 1st of January to the 31st of December Carlisle supporters and their team have done them very, very proud.
" It's slightly frustrating that they (Karl Hawley and Peter Murphy) haven't committed but they certainly haven't said no and we have to hang on to that. We want them to stop, they know what the club is all about, they are important players to the team but they are not players who we can't do without. If they don't want to stay then we will get the best deal for them and try and bring players in to fill the gaps. We're very positive at the football club, we're very positive as a team and as a set-up, and all we can do is to keep on saying to them to commit themselves to the football club. We've got until December 31st, and then the whole of January I suppose, fingers crossed they will sign.
" I'm not sure what I'd change from my start in management because I've had loads of different emotions. What I've tried to do seems to be working to a certain extent, obviously our away form is a concern but having said that there are another seven teams worse off than us away from home, which some people might not believe or realise. We're certainly not the worst team away from home but that has to improve of course, but we're in the top six on home form and are possibly in the top two or three*
." It's been difficult to try and do constant training because of the waterlogged pitch at the training ground so that has to be re-addressed. The club are on to that, trying to have a new training ground would be fantastic but that takes time obviously. I just need to be a even bigger pest than I have been I suppose to try and get through to managers and get players to come here. Whether I am doing that right or wrong only time will tell I suppose. "