Former United midfielder Tom Taiwo (TT) took time out from his holiday in Portugal to speak to BBC Radio Cumbria's Tom Burrows (TB), Taiwo in the second part of a lengthy interview first talking about the times he has been left out of the starting eleven by Blues boss Greg Abbott :
TT
Every player is frustrated when they are not playing, however when I have not played the manager has always sat me down and he has always said 'look, this is the reason Tom'. A lot of the time I have not played when we are looking for goals or we looking for really an all-out attack look. The second last game of the season obviously we won 4-1 so as I said to the manager 'you have made the right decision, I can't really complain'.
Then the last game of the season obviously we didn't win but the manager needed to go for the win in order to try to get into those play-off positions and he played his most attacking players. So, he has always been honest with me and I have always said that I can't ask for any more than that. His neck is on the line as much as mine when it comes to team performance and selection, so it is always done with the best intentions at heart.
TB
You mentioned there that Carlisle obviously just missed out last season, how well do you think Carlisle can do this coming season?
TT
We have only lost obviously myself and Lubo (Lubomir Michalik) and you could arguably say that quite a lot of the games this season were played without us. So, I don't think that will affect the team, I think the play-offs is a very, very realistic aim and I think with the additions that the manager will bring in, because rarely does he make a poor signing. I think they will be fighting for the play-offs easily, maybe even automatic promotion when you look at the other clubs that have come down from the Championship. They may be struggling financially and such, so they can't restrengthen and rebuild and maybe that is the time for Carlisle to sneak into that automatic promotion position.
TB
Obviously yourself, Lubo Michalik and Francois Zoko have left Carlisle now, or intend to leave, I just wondered in regards to Zoko especially how much do you think he will be missed next season?
TT
I think the players like Rory Loy for example who was injured last season, I think he showed some brilliant form before Francois got back in the team. So, he will be missed, he is a very good player, we all know that, we have seen some of the fantastic things that he can do. But, I think if you look even just as close to home, the likes of Rory Loy, Paddy Madden, Rory has probably shown everybody what he can do now. Paddy not so much, but he is a very good player and he can fill the void as well.
TB
I was just wondering, have you told many of the lads that you are going? Did they know before it was announced and have they texted you since?
TT
No, I didn't really tell any of the lads, it was quite a personal decision and even though I have got some very close friends in Carlisle I thought it was only fair that I made a decision on my own with the help of my family. It was only really for the manager's ears for my opinions and what I thought about the future, so I kept that to myself. But, I have had quite a few texts from the boys and it has been appreciated, because we did have a really close team bond up there.
TB
Now you are looking for a club, you are an out of contract player, but Greg Abbott has said the door is always open to you if you can't find a suitable move this summer. Would you consider changing your mind?
TT
Definitely, yeah, at the end of the day a job is a job and you can't get much more of a perfect job than every year improving on your performance as well as on a club level. With the situation, with the honesty that I have shown to the gaffer by explaining the full situation he has made it totally clear that he understands my motives and my reasonings. That is why I think he has said that publically because we would always get on and there would never be any ill blood, and he just appreciates that what I am trying to do is what is best for my family.
TB
And finally because I don't want to keep you too long........
TT
No problem.
TB
A lot of fans have been very impressed with the sort of the effort that you have given to the side and I just wondered if this is you leaving now would you be able to give them a final word from yourself?
TT
Yeah, I would just like to say obviously a big thank you personally for the support that I have been given. Being substituted, coming on, before the match, after the match, I have always experienced a warm support and it has always helped me in my game. I am a confidence player and if I can just say anything, please get behind the boys because they will give everything for the shirt and there is not one player in that team with a bad attitude and everybody just wants Carlisle to do well.