Following the victory over Yeovil Town, we spoke to Carlisle United Head Coach Mark Hughes.
Speaking to CUTV, Hughes discussed another composed performance, the importance of momentum and Jack Ellis' bright display.
Here is everything we learnt:
1. A professional, controlled performance
“I'm pleased with the performance, once again got into an unassailable lead in that first half, 3-0 to the good and good value for it, second half we managed the game out, we got a busy week ahead of us, so it was never going to be a case of chasing after the game at that point.
“We restricted them to very few opportunities and could have scored more in the end with the number of chances that we created on the break, so all in all, very good performance.”
2. Momentum matters
“We want to go on a run, that's important for us, everybody knows the situation that we find ourselves in, so we can only affect what we can affect and control, so we just got to be right on our levels and right on point and make sure that we go into games with the right attitude, which certainly we had today.
“Once again didn't allow the opposition to affect us; in the end, we ran out comfortable winners.”
3. Defensive solidity was a major positive
“Really pleased with the whole performance defensively, I thought we were very solid individually and our 1v1 work, which at times has cost us, but that wasn't the case today.
“I thought everybody was really on the front foot and was really good in terms of their understanding of what they needed to do today to make it a comfortable win.”
4. Jack Ellis’ versatility a huge asset
“Jack is one of those players that you know wherever you play him, he'll put in a good performance, and I thought he was really good today, obviously involved in the goals and ended up in midfield.
“He shows his flexibility and that understanding tactically of when I move him into a different position very quickly, he switches on to the role that he's been asked to do, so that's a good trait.”
5. Goals are being shared around
“We want everybody to play a part, we don't demand that they get in the box and score goals, but it's always a bonus when somebody else, different from the normal ones do it.
“It was a pleasing game all round I thought, defensively and offensively, I thought we caused them problems late on, I think Hugh (Parker) could have got a goal, Crickey's (Chris Conn-Clarke) great finish in fairness, didn't think that was offside but we had any number of chances at second half, could have been more emphatic but we'll take the 3-0.”
6. Squad management will be crucial in a busy week
“We've got a few guys creaking a little bit so we've got to be mindful of that so if I can freshen it up I will, not to any great extent because we can't afford to do that but we've got to make sure we win the game but certainly these opportunities maybe to freshen her up and enable guys to be ready for the weekend.”
