Following United’s emphatic 5-0 win over Braintree Town this afternoon, we spoke to Mark Hughes.
Speaking to CUTV, he said: “It’s up there [with the best performances under his stewardship]. Obviously, we started off in the correct manner [and] I think that was important.
“We talked about that before the game. We [the staff] felt obviously everybody was on a quick turnaround, and we had the benefit of a really good performance at the weekend, three points already in the bag and the opportunity to get back-to-back wins, which has been difficult for us over the last couple of years.
“That was an opportunity we wanted to take [and] we were able to do that quite comfortably. [A] really good weekend for everyone.”
When asked about how pleased he was with his side’s efforts in his absence on Saturday, he explained: “He [Frankie McAvoy] did a great job at the weekend, [I was] really pleased. Obviously, we’d done the work leading into the game. That didn’t really change, because I was still here up to the time they [the squad] jumped on the train, so all the work had been done leading into the game.
“Obviously, we had a couple of decisions [to make] ahead of the game. The likes of Embo [Elliot Embleton], we were hoping that he would be able to come [on] through the game, but unfortunately, he wasn’t able to take part, so we had to make a change in regards to that.
“[It was] a good performance. I watched the game. I was able to watch the first-halflive, I thought they played really well in that first-half. The second-half, by all accounts, was a bit more of a struggle, but the important thing was to get the three points, and that led into the game today.
“[There is] lots of momentum in our play at the moment, and [we] started really well and won the game comfortably, thankfully.”
When asked about his relationship with Frankie McAvoy and Gavin Skelton, he said: “Both the guys have massive experience, and I knew the team was in good hands. We work very closely together anyway, so they understand what my expectation would be in terms of the game itself. There was never any danger that I felt that we were at risk of not making correct decisions in a game like that [against Wealdstone], because I trust them implicitly.”
Hughes returned to the touchline today as United claimed all three points, when asked about what impressed him the most from today’s performance, he explained: “I think it was the way we started. It was really important that we started on the front foot. It’s not easy [with] the amount of travelling that ourselves and everybody else [is doing]. They came up on a quick turnaround, and we felt if we started stronger, then that might catch them out and that was the case really.
“Once we got to 3-0, the game was effectively over. The only slight doubt we had in our mind was just in case they got a goal back at 2-0, we [would] be in at half-time thinking that we should have been three [or] four goals to the good. We weren’t [three or four goals to the good], [and] 2-0 isn’t an easy lead to protect sometimes, so it think it was important that they [the team] got the message that we needed to be positive and get the next goal, which we did very quickly. After that, once we got to 3-0, it was game over.”
Regan Linney notched his first hat-trick in a blue shirt this afternoon in the 5-0 win.
“Excellent. That first goal was an outstanding goal, [it was a] great finish. That’s his party piece. He [Linney] loves coming in off the left onto his right foot, and as soon as he strikes any kind of ball towards the target in those areas, you expect it to hit the back of the net.
“[I was] pleased I was able to keep him on to get his hat-trick, because I was contemplating just before the third to take him off because we need to protect him.
“He’s coming to a club that’s bigger than he’s been at in previous spells at clubs, and that’s no disrespect to where he’s been prior to this, but this is a club and a demand on him, [and] at the moment he’s enjoying that expectation. He’s a good player and he’ll score more goals this year
“We know if we get him in good areas, then he’s one of those strikers that invariably gets five or six shots on goal, and that’s a good percentage.
“If you’re a striker [and] you are getting four or five strikes on goal, then usually [you score]. I always felt that if I got four or five strikes [on goal], at least one of them would be on target and possibly score. I think his percentage is higher at the moment. He’s getting shots off, [his] ability to just quicken his pace and get away from people, and that allows him [the] time and space to get shots towards goal, and at the moment they’re flying in.”
Jack Ellis has been a pivotal part of United’s midfield in the early stages of the season, and he topped off another stellar performance with his first goal of the season this afternoon.
“He’s [Ellis] doing exceptionally well. [I’m] really, really pleased for him. His level’s good at the moment. I like him in most midfield areas. He’s got a lot of qualities that lend themselves to the position [centre-midfield] I’m playing him at. Getting goals is a bonus really, but I know he enjoyed that one.”
On Ellis’ deployment in the midfield, he said: “I think certainly for the time being [Ellis will be used in midfield]. I think he’s doing more than enough to warrant a place in those areas. We’ve got good variation in terms of the types of players I can pick in there.
“I’ve got good combinations, and if I feel we need to change things around, then I’ve got different players that can play different types of games. [We’ve got] good creativity in there, but we’ve got a little bit of solidity as well if we need it.”
The Blues have played two games in the last three days, after they played Braintreethis afternoon, just two days after they defeated Wealdstone on Saturday evening.
“They’re [the players] creaking a little bit, but I don’t think we saw any dip in terms of our energy level right to the last minute.
“We’re still going strong [and] still pushing for more goals, and that shows that we look [like] a good outfit at the moment. [We’ve] got lots of confidence, good fitness levels, [and] guys that can get around the pitch and affect the opposition.”
The Cumbrians’ next game is away at Sutton United on Saturday. When asked if complacency could set in after the Blues’ emphatic win, he said: “We’re not going to have any of that [complacency]. We know what the challenge is this year. We want to get out of this league as quickly as we can, so we have to maintain our levels and make sure we’re consistent over a long period. We’ve had a good start, and we’re pleased with that. That [a good start] was important for us in a new league and a league that will test us as it progresses, but at the moment we’re coping pretty well with everything thrown at us.”
