|
" We were very conscious of trying to finish the year off well, before I came to the club the club got promotion and we've started off in a higher league. We've done reasonably well, we know we can do better and it's vitally important that we win games or pick points up away from home. Today we dug in deep, the conditions weren't the best, I didn't think we deserved to be a goal down, we've been punished by a little bit of sloppy defending.
" We've showed that true spirit over the whole of the year, and especially this season, that when the chips are down the boys are at it. It's fantastic getting another win away from home. It's great spirit, the boys all stick together, they are a good bunch, they are trying to learn and do the right things. Sometimes they are let down by a silly mistake or a silly little bit of concentration but on the whole they try and do the right thing at the right time. Just finishing off on a away win sets us up nicely towards the end of the season.
" They were firing it into the centre-forward and that's why I brought Chris Billy on to try and stop that. We were playing against a team that was in and around us and it was vitally important that we picked up a point, fortunately we've picked up three and they are still below us, which is excellent.
" I've said it before, and I'll say it again, that the supporters have got some travelling to do and they are second to none. They get behind the team, they get a little bit frustrated because we've played some decent football away from home but we haven't been getting the results. It's just nice to finish off probably the longest journey this season and send them home with a huge, big smile on their face and lots to look forward to in the New Year.
" We've been watching him (Danny Graham) for quite a while and we've been in discussions with Middlesbrough for quite a while as well. We just needed to keep on being a pest as I've said, Danny wants to come which is excellent, he'll be a good addition, he'll strengthen the squad and he'll come into contention for Monday. There is a slight window between 9am and 12noon and we're hopeful that we can get him registered inbetween that and he'll be available for the Bradford game. It's an emergency loan, we'll take it as it comes, see how he likes us and see how he does. When I spoke to the Middlesbrough staff they said that we could extend it if we wanted to so hopefully if he does well we'll be able to extend it.
" It would be fantastic if we can tie the Paul Thirlwell deal up, it's almost done and that would be a magnificent signing for Carlisle United Football Club. He's a top, top player and I think he showed in the three months that he was here that he gets stuck in. He gives you everything, he's a players' player, sometimes you need your best players when you are in a tough league, we are in a tough league and we need our best players playing.
" He has been training here all the time, he's stopped here all the time, he's trained here all the time and he's been fantastic for the rest of the lads, he's a great help for the youngsters and he's a great example for everybody. We're 99.5% sure that he's going to sign on the dotted line and hopefully that will be in the next couple of days, we just need to tie everything up and that will be a fantastic signing for us.
" The Danny Livesey penalty appeal was definitely ball to hand. We got a penalty first and perhaps referees sometimes try and even things out but it certainly wasn't a penalty in my view. It was a fantastic response from the team, we just needed a little bit of luck, we've created a few chances and we've stuck them in the back of the net. That's what we need to do, especially away from home, and the more points we get away from home takes the pressure off our home form, which is excellent. "