Abbott tells his Carlisle Utd players to show some bottle against Grays
Last updated 12:17, Tuesday, 18 November 2008
Greg Abbott has challenged his Carlisle United players to prove they aren’t one-hit wonders as they try to finish the job against Grays in the FA Cup tonight.
The Blues ended a woeful 12-game winless run on Saturday when they tore apart Brighton with some superb attacking football.
But caretaker boss Abbott says his team must repeat that performance in tonight’s replay and not show any complacency against the Blue Square Premier strugglers (New Recreation Ground, 7.45pm).
“If we sit back and play in a pedestrian manner, we are an easy team to play against,” said Abbott.
“If we keep at the tempo we reached on Saturday, we are a tough proposition.
“That is the style of football I want and we must reproduce that on a regular basis. The players have made a rod for their own backs in a way, because we expect that as the standard now.
“We have achieved nothing and I have warned the players about complacency, because Grays will be up for it tonight, make no mistake about that.”
Abbott said the 3-1 victory over the Seagulls has lifted much of the recent gloom from Brunton Park and raised hopes that the Blues can continue their revival in the coming weeks in League One.
But first his side must overcome Grays at the second attempt, after Wayne Burnett’s non-league men almost embarrassed Abbott on his first game in charge when they led at Brunton Park until Gary Madine’s 83rd minute equaliser.
“There’s certainly a better atmosphere in the camp than there was a week ago – that’s what a win gets you,” said the caretaker chief.
“It showed me these players are a really good group who can perform when they have confidence and belief, and show that determination and attitude to compete for the ball.
“When you have two wingers winning tackles and headers, as Simon Hackney and Cleveland Taylor were, that spreads right through the team. There was a definite edge about the boys.”
It is Carlisle’s first trip to the 3,000-capacity New Recreation Ground, where Grays have won four, drawn three and lost two of their home games this term, their victories including a 2-0 triumph over Oxford on Saturday.
Abbott added: “The firm message is about not getting carried away. It is one win and we need a few more of them. But the belief is back and we have to take the game to Grays and put them on the back foot.
“It will be tough if we are not at it, but I assure you the boys will be fired up.”
JColman@cngroup.co.uk
