Last updated at 11:47, Wednesday, 01 August 2012

Greg Abbott insists he has seen a new defensive resolve in his team this pre-season – but hopes the Blues haven’t peaked too soon.

Mike Edwards

Abbott’s Carlisle United side have yet to concede since returning from their summer break, adding up to seven-and-a-half hours’ worth of clean sheets.

The five consecutive blanks have come against four non-league opponents – Kendal, Workington, Barrow and Durham – and one SPL side in St Mirren.

Plugging the leaks at the back which led to a negative goal-difference figure in 2011/12 is one of Abbott’s top priorities.

And the United boss, whose side face arguably their toughest pre-season friendly when Middlesbrough visit Brunton Park this Friday, is encouraged by the work he has seen from his rearguard so far.

“The goals conceded number is something we know we have to improve on,” he said. “We think we can score goals – it’s the other side we need to do better with.

“That’s five pre-season games without conceding now and even though the opposition hasn’t always been spectacular, it is something to be pleased with.

“We look to have the defensive work spot-on up to press but we have to maintain it.”

Abbott’s starting back four for the curtain-raiser against Accrington on Saturday week remains uncertain, with trialist left-back Alessio Bugno in the frame for a deal.

A fascinating three-way battle for two centre-half places is also under way with new signing Mike Edwards competing with stalwarts Peter Murphy and Danny Livesey.

And versatile 18-year-old Brad Potts has emerged as a genuine rival to Frank Simek for the right-back slot, though Potts is also an option in central defence and midfield.

Abbott has been heartened by all his players’ work so far but has warned against reading too much into his team’s 100 per cent record in their friendlies.

“The worrying thing is that everything we are trying at the minute is working,” said the Blues boss, whose introduction of Chris Chantler into midfield has also caught the eye. “We have to be enthused by the performances of all the group and I have some genuinely nice headaches. It would be more worrying if I didn’t have selection problems. There are one or two areas we can do better but that will come as the players develop an understanding.

“I wish we had 15 points from five league games without conceding. Then I would be falling over myself.”

First published at 11:29, Wednesday, 01 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk