The Football League Paper

Abbott needs to find quick remedy

- By Tom Furlong

CARLISLE boss Greg Abbott admitted he must find a cure to Carlisle United’s worst-ever start to a league season after a heavy defeat to Coventry City – and fast.

Question marks surround the Sky Blues’ future but victory was certain courtesy of early goals from Leon Clarke – who struck again in the second-half – Franck Moussa, and Billy Daniels by the half-hour mark.

Carlisle have conceded 13 league goals in a three-game losing streak and Abbott – who did not shirk the blame – compared his team’s lack of confidence to an illness.

He said:“At the moment they are fragile and lacking in so much confidence. We are not going to scream at them as they need consoling.

“It’s like a disease, you fight against it and then you try and give them a bit of medicine and try to correct it.

“I’m not trying to be clever or flash by saying that but I have to remedy it to put it right.

“I’m going to stand and take the whole responsibi­lity because it’s me who picks the team and puts the squad together.

“I’m taking the rap and I hope I’m allowed some time to get the big players back.”

Clarke’s emphatic finish handed Coventry the lead after just four minutes and moments later, the visitors doubled up as Moussa chipped past a helpless Mark Gillespie.

Hope for the home side – after Mark Beck was brought down by Andy Webster for a penalty – was snuffed out as Joe Murphy saved.

On the half-hour Carlisle’s misery deepened when Sky Blues teenager Daniels stroked home for his third goal of the season.

And the in-form Clarke struck again as he took advantage of Kevin Feely’s attempted backpass on 65 minutes, before Brad Potts’ David Beckham-esque lob for Carlisle hit the post.

Sub Mathieu Manset hit the bar late on for the Sky Blues and manager Steven Pressley believes more players deserved rewards for their efforts.

“I’m absolutely delighted with the players and the way they are going about their pressing, their energy, their defensive duties,” he said. “The only disappoint­ment is that it wasn’t more than four. I said to Callum (Wilson) at half-time he must realise how good a player he is, he caused them problems all afternoon and I was desperate for him to score.

“Matty (Manset) has still got a bit to go but some of his skills are sensationa­l.

“When he first came he was not fit enough and said it’s the hardest he’s worked.”

 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom