Lifelong Blues fan Danny McAllister got the chance earlier this week to interview United boss Greg Abbott in the build up to the big game at Wembley this weekend.

Danny won the chance to speak to Greg after winning the "Johnstone's Journalist" competition run by trophy sponsors Johnstone's Paint with his entry about life as a Carlisle United fan. He took the opportunity to find out from Greg how he is coping in the run up to the final on Sunday.

He said: "I don't have problems sleeping during a week like this because there's that much to do.

"I sleep like a baby and certainly don't get nervous. The only time I have a problem sleeping is when there's loads of problems, on a good occasion like this I'm just fine.

"Waking up in the middle of the night thinking about tactics isn't something that I do. Sometimes I will wake up at 3am, but that's because I've just scored the winning goal from 40 yards but I know straight away that's a dream because there's not a chance I'm going to be playing!

"I've got a good idea what the starting line-up will be on Sunday now. It's been a case of trimming it down from the whole squad to the travelling party the nearer we get to the day and after our final training session at Watford I'll know what my team is going to be. I can't be certain before then as we've still got some training to go and are waiting on a few injuries.

"Telling players they won't be involved is the hardest thing I'll have to do this week. It's probably the one thing that would actually keep me awake.

"I have to put myself in the players position and think how I'd feel if it was me being told I wasn't going to play. I can only have a starting eleven and a squad of sixteen and we've got a good squad and a terrific group of players here. I'm going to have to be at my best man managemet wise to make sure the disappointment is handled properly.

"I don't have any superstitious routines, that kind of thing doesn't bother me. I know that if we pass the ball better than them and put the ball in the back of the net more times then we'll win, simple as that. That might be the boring answer but that's the truth, there's no sentiment from me on the matter. 

"This game won't be treated any differently from any other this season. I don't care whether it's a pre-season game, a cup game or whatever, I won't change how we go about things. The message I've set out for the players from since I started the job is that every game is important.

"If I had had the choice, I wouldn't have any press or anyone else anywhere near us this week as it creates a bit of a false atmosphere and makes it look like this game is more important. But everyone wants a piece of us and as long as it's balanced and fair, we're alright with it.

"It's going to be a big day for everyone - the players, coaching and office staff, the fans, the press and the whole city. We'll make sure we enjoy ourselves, but at the same time focus on the game as best we can."

United Player subscribers can see a video of Danny's interview with Greg later today.