Carlisle United Assistant Head Coach Louis Storey believes the Blues must continue to develop their game and find greater consistency following the goalless draw with Kidderminster Harriers.
United have taken seven points from their last three league fixtures, keeping two clean sheets, but Storey admitted there is still plenty of room for improvement after a frustrating afternoon at Brunton Park.
“Frustrating day. I think the first-half especially was way below par, and we didn't get any rhythm or life in any part of our game really. It felt like a wasted 45 minutes.
“Second-half, we took a little while to get going, but we had some good opportunities to win the game.
“You get the penalty and on another day that goes in the back of the net, you come away with three points on a below-par performance.
“Being able to grind a result out when the performance isn't where it wants to be is a positive you can take from it, but that wasn't the case.
“So it finishes up with three games, seven points, two clean sheets. There are positives to take, but in isolation today was a strange performance.”
Storey felt the Blues needed to show more variety in their attacking play, particularly against a Kidderminster side that made it difficult to find space.
“I think the opposition had a good shape. We probably didn't test it enough by moving the ball from side to side with a bit more pace and intensity, which gets them moving and tires them out.
“When we couldn't play through or around them, we didn't change it up to exploit the space in behind, getting the switches on and putting crosses into the box.
“We didn't win enough second balls, we didn't win enough aerial duels, and we just didn't provide enough quality in the first-half.”
The Assistant Head Coach explained that adapting to different situations is an important part of United's development.
“When you can't get that control or clean, intricate play in the final third, you've got to create chaos in different ways.
“Maybe that's playing the ball in behind, getting switches of play on, more crosses, even from deeper positions, and being more ruthless with our set pieces.
“That creates confidence, that creates chaos, and that will translate into the boys being a bit more free-flowing.”
Storey also acknowledged that the Blues have not always played with the confidence needed to impose themselves at Brunton Park.
“I think we were just too hesitant. We're just not playing with our full confidence and our full intent at home.
“We've not been good enough all season at home. We've not played to the standards that we need to.
“As a group of players and staff, we need to work on how we take that hesitation away from the players, how we keep them more composed and have real conviction in their actions.”
One player Storey believes is setting an example in that respect is Leo Duru, who was named Player of the Match after another impressive performance.
“He's someone that has real conviction in his play, is fully committed to the football club and gives his all each and every day.
“I think his real strength is when something doesn't come off, he gets back on the ball again, or he'll make a 60 or 70-yard forward run, even if he doesn't get it, or a recovery run with just the same enthusiasm.
“Even though he's a young lad, he's setting the standards and really driving the expectations of what we demand from our players.
“He's been magnificent once again and is a real credit to himself.”
Despite the disappointment of dropping points, Storey believes United are continuing to create opportunities and must now make more of them.
“We've hit the post, missed a penalty and had a couple of other opportunities as well. Even when we're below par, we've got box entries like a top team.
“We have to continue that and keep evolving.
“It's coaching, working hard and trying to get better each and every day.
“When it comes to a home or away game, our principles, our structure and our roles and responsibilities need to be really clear.
“That gives a solid platform for our attacking players especially to then take the game on and showcase their quality.”
Storey also highlighted the importance of having different attacking options available, with Georgie Kelly's absence limiting United's ability to change their approach.
“We've not had that full-strength squad selection that we want because we have different profiles in each position to exploit the opposition's weaknesses and different styles.
“We knew we'd get plenty of crosses and we had loads of set pieces. You need someone to be that focal point.”
With the Emirates FA Cup tie against Tamworth next on the agenda, Storey is keen for United to build on their recent results while continuing to improve their performances.
“Our quality needs to be more consistent across all games so we can exploit the opportunities given to us from minute one to minute 95 or 96.”
