Abbott looking for more consistency

Nov 24 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

UNDER-FIRE Greg Abbott has called for a response from his Carlisle United players after their insipid defeat against Swindon - as he admitted he can understand why some fans are calling for his head.

After a second straight league defeat a section of the Brunton Park faithful called for Abbott to leave, a depressing development for a manager who believed his team had turned a corner with eye-catching wins against Charlton and Southend last month.

Abbott said he takes “full responsibility” for the performance and defeat and is fully aware of the consequences of more poor results in the coming weeks.

But he remains convinced that his players can engineer a revival after seeing them beat the division’s best in recent weeks.

The Carlisle squad spent yesterday preparing at Nottingham Forest’s training ground for tonight’s trip to Paul Ince’s high-flying MK Dons.

Abbott sensed a determination to convert the hurt of Saturday’s limp defeat into a positive reaction at Stadium: MK.

“I’m still unhappy – that has not gone away. But I have put it behind me and we can’t afford to dwell on it because we have got another difficult game coming up,” he said.

“I take full responsibility for what happened and the supporters are entitled to have their say after a performance like that.

“They want to have someone to vent their frustration at – they chose to aim it at me and a lot of it will be justified.

“Some of those fans would have been singing my name a few weeks ago when we went six games unbeaten but it can turn after bad results. I have just got to make sure they don’t have any reason to vent their frustration from now on and that means picking up points and picking up wins.”

Abbott was furious with his players for the manner of their reverse against the Robins, labelling the first half as the worst of his time in charge.

He accused his team of being “lethargic and lacklustre” and admitted he was “hurt” by the lack of desire from his side. Monday saw a forceful reminder to the players of their responsibilities and Abbott knows that neither he nor his squad can afford a similar performance.

“It did hurt me. The team that I put out represent me so it’s obviously a poor reflection on my own abilities when they play like that,” he said.

“I think people probably know what kind of character I was during my playing days and I think it’s safe to say that Swindon wouldn’t have been able to win that easily if a team I was playing in were playing them.

“That kind of determination is the least I expect from my team.

“I took the opportunity on Monday to remind them in no uncertain terms of their responsibilities and of what I require from them.

“I have an honest bunch of lads, they are honest with me and I’m honest with them.

“We’re good with each other and it was a good session on Monday so I hope that is a good sign.”

Abbott hopes to have combative midfielder Tom Taiwo and defender Richard Keogh both available after they were substituted at half-time on Saturday due to illness. And he is pondering a recall for striker Scott Dobie.

“Whichever side I sent out we have got to hope that Saturday’s situation is not repeated,” he said.

“We have shown that we can mix it with the best in the division but we have to do it on a consistent basis. We need points on the board because we don’t want to be dragged into things at the bottom again.”