Steve Evans talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Steve Evans was back at the training ground this morning preparing for the match away at Coventry City on Tuesday evening. We put a number of topical questions to Steve as part of our weekly feature.
Your reflective thoughts on the game yesterday?
The word frustrating would about sum the match up perfectly. Carlisle United came with a game plan to sit every player behind the ball and try to nick a point; in summary they achieved their objective.
I am never sure that when a team goes down to 10 men they are weaker, I think at times it gives those robbed of a player a greater resolve and at the same time those with a man advantage perhaps think half the job is done.
From start to finish we laid siege to the final third of the pitch but for once our creativity in that area was missing. We made enough good chances to have won and at times there was a mixture of good defending by the Carlisle lads and their goal leading a charmed life. Winning these matches is often about fine margins, we did not move the ball quickly enough and all too often in the last 15 minutes got frustrated and opted for the wrong choice when on the ball.
We lacked quality but not for one minute did we lack effort, passion or the desire to win the match. We had a number of players below par with their quality but again they gave me everything they have so we need to get back on the training ground and prepare for a tough match at Coventry City on Tuesday evening.
Can you update us on the injury situation?
Alex Revell had to come off yesterday with a knock and we will know more later today but he is obviously doubtful for Tuesday.
Mark Bradley is perhaps a week away from being fit with a groin strain and David Worrall is perhaps two weeks away as he comes back from first his injury and latterly his illness but he is back in full training which is good news.
Late last week you added Nouha Dicko to the squad can we expect any further additions or departures?
We are trying hard to add to the squad but these things are never easy. I try as best I can to be open with our supporters but everyone knows that there must be a significant part of what we want to do in relation to player recruitment being kept confidential. I have outlined specific targets to my Chairman and work with that is ongoing, we are focused on who we want but they need to give us value for money. Some of the reports I have read recently are way of the mark in terms of who our targets are and at the values cited, it really is worrying that such reports exist.
Today the preparations begin for the visit to Coventry City on Tuesday evening, what are you expecting?
We are certainly going to face a talented team who will be fully charged up under a good manager in Steven Pressley. City have been involved in many high scoring games this season and as we will attack at every opportunity it could be another high scoring match.
I have watched City on a number of occasions this season and each and every time they have been very impressive. They had a down day yesterday but every team has a few them over the course of every season. As an opposition manager you cannot fail to be impressed by the likes of Clarke, Wilson, Baker, Fleck and Webster, there is many more I could mention. This match will be a big test for us but we will be prepared in the finest detail.
No-one in football could not feel for the City supporters, they have been badly let down. Every football club has its supporters as its lifeblood, I can only hope their situation off the field is resolved and they can play football in their home town, it really is the least they deserve.
This morning we are in 10th place in League One, just two points outside the play-off places, are you satisfied as to how it is shaping up?
No, I am a long way away from being satisfied. I started talking today about being frustrated about yesterday and that is the word that I would say sums up our season to date. My objective for the season is to force ourselves into that play-off group and despite not many giving us a chance of doing that the players and I firmly believe we can.
There is so much more to come from this group and we need to get to the right levels of consistency. Our performances in the main have been excellent and we do not have the points on the board that we deserve to have but by working a little smarter that will come, I can ask no more in terms of effort and commitment.
We do need to add to the group but we do not just want any players, we want quality additions. We have added Nouha Dicko and I believe he will be great for us, he has settled in really well to the dressing room and that is very important.
League One is a very tough competition and yesterday's results makes that very clear to everyone. At the end of the season it will be the teams who can be consistent in large spells that will fight for promotion and I really do believe we are very capable of being one of those teams.