Carlisle United Football Club

Tom Miller on the unbeaten run and the Blackpool game

We spoke to defender Tom Miller this week about the unbeaten start to the season and the trip to Blackpool on Saturday.

"I think there is frustration there at the moment because we could have killed teams off this season," he said. "There's also positivity there as well because we haven't lost yet and we're playing some good football.

"The frustration is there because we know we're a good enough side to be winning the games that we're drawing. Everyone is still positive, we're happy that we're unbeaten and we don't look like getting beat. It's now about turning draws into wins and we all know we've got to do that.

"You always look at the league table and think about what might have been but it's very early days. I think it's human nature to look at it and think about the games we could have won, and where it would have put us. I think we're three points off second place so we know we're working our way towards where we want to be. We're going in the right direction, we're consistent rather than losing one then winning one. We're in a good place."

"We've got some great players in the team now," he said. "All of the lads are saying in the dressing room it's a pleasure to play in this team. We can do a bit of everything - we can fight if teams want to fight and if you want to play football we'll out-play any team in the league. It's nice to be a part of that and I'm enjoying it.

"We're starting games well which is meaning that teams are making a lot of changes at half time. That's a good thing for us because we're forcing them to do that. I think every team we've played so far will have gone in at half time and got a rollicking off the manager.

"When they then come out in the second half they tend to throw everything at us and that means we've got counter what they do against us. Getting that first goal is obviously important, there's been a few games where we should have done that and we could have gone on and put teams to bed.

"We went through a patch at the start of last season where any ball into the box was being put in by our strikers and it seems to be happening against us at the moment. The tide will turn in that aspect. Throughout the season we'll have periods where we'll put ten balls into the box in a game and five of them will go in. It's important that we aren't losing games when those sorts of things are going against us.

"We've got great strikers and some midfield players who can score goals and we can get goals at the back, so we know they're there. It's just about them coming - and I think they will."

"I think people do use the word unlucky too easily at times," he continued. "It's almost like a scapegoat, the gaffer has voiced his opinion on it and I do agree with him. I think in this league if you do the right things there isn't such a thing as unlucky.

"It's a good mentality to have because you've got no excuses, which I don't think we need in the dressing room."

On the roles he's found himself playing so far, he said: "I'm doing a lot of running this season, but I don't mind that. I'm there to do a job.

"I'm enjoying it and I'm getting fitter every week because of the amount of running I'm doing. It would just be nice to get a couple of goals now.

"Basically I'll play wherever the gaffer puts me. I'm most comfortable at right back, when everything is in front of me and I can push on from there, but I'm happy to play right wing."

"We're working on my long throw and we've had a lot of chances from them," he continued. "I think we could have had a couple of goals from them. I suppose we have to mix it up a little bit but when we're putting it in the box we're causing problems. I think we've had seven or eight shots from them and it's just like a corner, in a way, so we know the goals will come from it."

On the away trip to Blackpool, he said: "Blackpool is a big game. It's just down the road so there'll be a massive travelling support. I can't wait to go there and put in a performance to get the result we want.

"If we can get three points it will be great for everyone at the club and it will put us back to where we want to be.

"If we start the game the way we have been doing the home fans that are there could get frustrated because it is an unsettled club. If we can put them on the back foot I think we can nullify the threats they've got and get the result.

"The away support is always fantastic, it will be a brilliant occasion. To have 2,700 fans going is amazing, and it might be more than Blackpool will have at home as well.

"It does mean a lot to the players to have them behind you, it gives you a lift because they give a lot to us throughout the season and we do appreciate it. Hopefully we can thank them for their support by getting the three points on Saturday."

And he confirmed that the game has an added edge at the weekend with Blackpool having been one of the clubs who looked his way during the summer months.

"I did have some interest from Blackpool in the summer so the game means a lot to me," he explained. "I think we're more than good enough to get the three points if we turn up on the day.

"I knew I made the right decision at the time to stay here. I made my decision because this was the club I wanted to be at, and the manager here was the manager I wanted to play for.

"I've played every game so far, but I would have been happy to be here even if I hadn't. I think this is a club going in the right direction and I honestly believe we can do something special this year."

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