Carlisle United Football Club

“We’ve been playing well in recent weeks even though we have had a lot of draws,” he said. “We’ve created plenty of chances so, from that point of view, it has been frustrating. I don’t think it’s too disappointing though because the chances are there and we just need to start finishing them off. If we can keep clean sheets along with that we’ll be in a very good place.

“Nobody is negative about the drawn games because of the fact we’re playing so well. It’s not as if we’re scraping results, or anything like that, because we’ve been on top in every game. We’ve talked about it in the dressing room and we know the results will come.”

Speaking about his own form, he said: “I’ve played in quite a few games this season and I’m enjoying it. I feel like I’ve progressed through the run of starts I’ve had, especially with playing at centre half. I’m getting stronger and playing first team football is what it’s all about, so I think I can only get better. 

“The staff at Newcastle spoke to me before I came back across and they told me I needed to get as many first team games as possible under my belt. I knew that wasn’t going to happen over there at the moment and that’s why it’s been good to come here and play for Carlisle again. 

“I’m learning a lot from playing beside people like Michael Raynes. He gives off decent information and he never stops talking, which is good. I think we work well together and that’s a real positive for both of us.”

“Another good thing for me is that I’ve come into a team which wants to do well and play good football,” he commented. “That suits my style of play and it makes it even more enjoyable. There’s a lot of expectation on us to do well from everywhere and the fans push you through games because of that. 

“If you’re doing something wrong they let you know, but they back you up when you do something right. It’s good to have the supporters behind you like that.”

Looking ahead to the weekend game against Leyton Orient, he said: “They did well last season and we know what to expect from them. I think they’ll look at what we can do and they know they’ll have to deal with it. 

“I scored a free kick against them last season and I think that was a bit of a fluke. I caught it with my big toe and it ended up going in the top corner! In all seriousness, it was a decent strike. I gave the keeper the eyes and he thought it was going the opposite way. Fortunately it went in.

“It’s a good game for us to look forward to and we want to keep the unbeaten run going for as long as possible. Hopefully that will be with a few more wins added in as well.”