Following today’s victory over Harrogate Town, we spoke to Mark Hughes.
Speaking to CUTV, he said: “I enjoyed the game. I felt it was important to put in a good shift today up against a team in a higher league this year. [They are] Only a week away [from the start of their season], whereas we're two weeks away so it was [always] going to be a test but I thought we equipped ourselves really well”.
“I thought our general play was good. I thought we managed the game out, certainly in the second half, when we restricted them to very few opportunities. Obviously,they pressed a little bit harder going down the hill and tried to put us under pressure, but for the most part [we] dealt with everything that they had, which wasn't a great deal, because we played well going the other way”.
“First-half, I thought we were excellent, so we were able to capitalise on good opportunities. [We] scored two great goals, [our] strikers scoring goals again, so that's important for us. Overall, a really good day.”
When asked about the strong partnership forged between Regan Linney and Luke Armstrong, Mark exclaimed: “Yeah, and I thought Junior [Luamba], as well did really well on that right hand side for us, so we've got good variation. We've got real energy from Luke, we've got a clever player coming off the left-hand side from Reegs[Reagan Linney] and Junior will work his socks off on the opposite side. All three of them did really well today”.
Hughes had asked for more from United in an attacking sense on Tuesday night, when asked whether this had manifested in today’s action, Mark said: “Yeah. You've got to realise you're up against good opposition. We certainly didn't look out of place in terms of comparisons between us and them, [and] certainly didn't look like there was a difference in standing.”
“Unfortunately, we know we're playing at a lower level this year, but today I don't think you could see which team was the team [in the higher division]. From our point of view, we're in good shape [and] we're getting a little bit of momentum. We know it's only pre-season games but that's a sequence of games that we've been able to win back-to-back, which was always a problem last year. Even though they're pre-season games, we've got a little bit of momentum already so let's hope that continues.”
Hughes utilised Jack Ellis in the Blues’ midfield. Speaking on Jack’s performance and use in an unfamiliar position, Mark explained: “It's something I wanted to have a look at. I felt that it was something that we should investigate and see how he did in there.”
“He's arguably been one of our better players in pre-season, just by virtue of playing in a number of positions. He's very adept, he's been flexible, he's played right back, centre half, and today he was asked to do a job in midfield. I thought he equipped himself really well.”
“I just feel we have lacked physicality, not only this season, but last season as well. That was an area that we're trying to address [lack of physicality]”.
“In terms of what I asked him [Ellis] to do today, he was excellent.”
Ellis has played a number of positions in his time at the club, when assessing Jack’s flexibility being an asset to the squad, Hughes said: “Absolutely, that helps. We've talked about trying to get the numbers down [in the squad]. So, if we've got a player like Jack, and we've got others as well that can play in numerous positions, that's going to help us”.
The Cumbrians recorded their second clean sheet in their last three games. Speaking on what the defence can take from that, Hughes explained: “We [the staff] said at half time, we're two goals to the good and that's how we wanted to keep it”.
“In terms of a clean sheet, it’s a badge of honour for defences, so that was the challenge for them in the second half and they were able to achieve that, so I'm pleased for them. It's important, it's what sustains back fours and defensive players, when they keep the opposition out.”
United’s fans showed up in impressive numbers once again with 300 Blues making their way to Yorkshire.
“[They] always [come in] big numbers. You're always surprised, when you think goodness me it's another two and a half hours or whatever it's taken them to get here, but once again good numbers again. So, [I] thank them for their support [and] hope they enjoyed it”.
