ROB ELLIOT: “IT'S A REALLY PROUD DAY TO BE A CUMBRIAN AND TO BE A CARLISLE FAN."

Rob

Head Coach Rob Elliot spoke of his pride after his side overcame adversity to secure a 3-0 victory against Harrogate Town at Brunton Park. 

The Blues extended their unbeaten run to six games, as goals from Josh Williams, Callum Whelan and Ryan Galvin fired nine-men United to three points. 

He said: "Incredible. I think just ultimately proud, so proud of them players and the staff and everyone, because, yes, it's an incredible feat to withstand that for so long and the mentality to deal with it and grind through and deserve it as well. 

"I think Adam [Desbois] made two saves in the game, where he really had to make two world-class saves. And the lads, man for man, I can't mention, I can't single out any of them. They're all absolutely superb to a man." 

Elliot spoke about the Blues' victory embodying the culture that he wants to create at United. 

"That's the culture we want. That's what we're trying to build. And Brad Nicholson, when he come over and it happened, he was just like, we've got to enjoy this. 

"You know, we've got to enjoy the fight and determination and I think the lads did. They enjoyed the hard work and everyone united together. It was superb to see. 

"And, yes, a famous, famous win. I suppose it will go down in history [and] maybe we don't understand right now, because I've never seen anything like that before."

Elliot's side took the lead in the 9th minute through Josh Williams before referee Jamie Robinson dismissed Miguel Azeez and Harvey Bunker in the first half, but the Blues rallied and goals from Callum Whelan and Ryan Galvin after the interval secured all three points for United. 

"Incredible, considering we played against second in the league, who dominate the ball really well. 

"Just an incredible feat and a reaction to two setbacks, but then to go and score two more goals, yes, absolutely incredible.

"The only thing I can say, I'm so immensely proud of the players. I think they've taken stick and, you know, a couple of times rightly, but other times not, but I think they showed their mettle today. They showed their resilience. They showed what it means for them to be here. 

"You know, to do that after a tough game Saturday in horrendous conditions and then, obviously, off the back of a good run, just shows their character and mentality. 

"Then to sum it all up, you know, Campy [Callum Camps], first game, hasn't even trained with us, just turned up today and puts in a performance like that. And that's the sort of people and players we want here. So, yes, immensely proud."

Josh Williams' expertly placed strike in the 9th minute got United off to the perfect start.

"He was superb. Josh.

"Josh has got everything to be a top, top player and tonight we saw glimpses of what he can be and just really pleased with him. 

"You know, the mentality, his body language, the desire to run forward at all times. And then the quality, the goal is an unbelievable finish, similar to what he did [against] Southend [United]. 

"Then, obviously, the composure to find Whelo [Callum Whelan], so really pleased with him. He deserves it because, you know, he's still a young lad and he works hard, and he's starting to add things to his game that make him a top player."

After Callum Whelan doubled the Blues' advantage from close range just twenty-one seconds into the second-half, Ryan Galvin made the Cumbrians' lead unassailable in the 61st minute after a driving run from his own half. 

"It's a great ball by Campy [Callum Camps]. You know, there's a little bit of quality, that backspin on the ball. Galv's [Ryan Galvin] determination to run, his physicality, his athleticism. 

"He's such an unbelievable human being, Galv, you know, and he was really disappointed not to start tonight, but I want to see that anger. I want to see that desire. I want to see that willingness and I saw that in him because he was winning headers. He was winning his duels. He was jumping up and down that left side. 

"He's been superb when he's come on and he should feel a little bit hard done by, but, you know, you have to make decisions as a manager [about] what's best for the squad. 

"Galv proved tonight, you know, what an asset he is and I want to see more from him. The challenge to these boys is don't just sit on your laurels, keep pushing and that's what we try and do.

"I thought Galv and the substitutes on Saturday [at Solihull Moors] epitomised what we need and went on to help us win the game. 

United's Head Coach heaped praise onto his backroom staff for preparing the Blues for the challenge of playing with nine men.

"That's where the staff are incredible here. Jack [Cudworth], Gav [Gavin Skelton], Louis [Storey], even Fraser [Bell], in terms of managing the minutes, managing which players we bring on and off.

"We kept a four at the back, and then we tried to have Josh Williams and Micah stay wide and jump into central positions. I mean, it's almost unfathomable at times to deal with it, and then we felt like we needed to go to a five and a three and then jump from there, and, you know, it seemed to work. So we're really pleased with that. These things don't happen because of one person or one player or anything.

"Firstly, the players in the squad have been absolutely superb. The players around the squad, the injured players, all in that dressing room together, and then obviously the staff around it work so hard every day." 

Wednesday evening's fixture was accompanied by a Halloween-themed family fun day named 'Brunton Park After Dark' and Elliot was quick to express how great a day it was for the club. 

"It's been a fantastic day for the club in terms of what they put on with the Halloween events and to see all the local kids here. 

"It's what the owners, it's what we want this club to be. It's based in the community, the heart of the community and then the players then have replicated that on the pitch and in very tough circumstances. 

"It's a really proud day to be Cumbrian and to be a Carlisle fan. We want to see more of these nights, and that's why we need to stick together and maybe a little bit of patience, if I could ask."

United's Head Coach also singled out the Brunton Park crowd for praise after they helped the Blues get over the line and secure the three points. 

"As a player, when you hear that and you've got that behind you, there's nothing better. You hear the roar, you do. It's a 12th man and that's the thing, you know, if we can replicate that, hopefully not by being down to nine [men] every week, but if we can replicate that, it does make a huge difference. 

"It really saw us over the line. I thought it was a fantastic crowd tonight anyway. When it came out, I thought it was a good crowd anyway and then obviously with the sending off, we all galvanised together and that's what we want."

"We want to be united. We want to be together. And we need to know that it's not always going to be perfect in terms of what we get out of it.

"We're trying to do something here that's not just for Saturday to Saturday. It's for year to year and build a culture and change the structure and everything. It takes time.

There'll be good times, there'll be bad times, but, you know, you can't not be proud of this team tonight"

Focus now shifts to Saturday as United travel to face Altrincham at the J Davidson Stadium. 

"To be honest with you, you know, we have to really think about Saturday because their [the players'] bodies are shattered. It's three points at the end of the day, as brutal as that is. 

"We deserved three points. We've done it in a really special way, but that stimulus has to be there Saturday because it's also a fantastic team, you know.

"You know how quick football moves that we need to use this going into Saturday, and I think that mentality, that character, you know, behind the culture that we set, that's what I want to see on Saturday. 

Finally, Elliot also praised United's performance to secure victory in dramatic circumstances on Wednesday evening. 

"I thought we played some really good football up until the sending off. They're [Harrogate Town] good with the football moves, allowing them to have it in certain areas. We turned it over really well and then the resilience and mentality to play, and [we] still played a bit of good football towards the end, and, well, obviously won 3-0, but I thought we created the better chances and deserved to win."

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