Last updated at 11:59, Monday, 14 January 2013

Lee Miller today revealed he has been appointed Carlisle United’s captain on a permanent basis after he led the Blues to victory against Coventry.

Lee Miller

The striker wore the armband for the first time in his career in the 1-0 win after boss Greg Abbott took the honour from defender Danny Livesey.

Miller, 29, will now be United’s team captain while previous skipper Paul Thirlwell will retain the club captaincy.

Miller said: “I was surprised [to be asked] but I’m delighted and proud to be captain of the lads, The manager spoke to me, Danny and Thirs about it through the week.

“It won’t change the way I play or approach games. He [Abbott] just told me to keep playing the way I’ve been playing, and be a leader. But it’s not just about me. There are plenty of leaders out there and we are all fighting for the same cause.”

Manager Abbott said the decision would allow Livesey to concentrate solely on his game after Carlisle’s recent defensive woes. The centre-half responded with a commanding display alongside new signing Sean O’Hanlon to secure United’s third clean sheet of the season.

Miller said it had been a vital result after the previous week’s poor display at Swindon.

The Scot added: “Not one of us was on our game at Swindon – it wasn’t for the lack of trying but we were nowhere near good enough. So this was a massive three points. I think we proved a lot of people wrong and we did it for ourselves. We dominated the first half and though the second half was a scrappier affair I thought we earned our result with the way the boys defended, throwing bodies in the way of shots and also creating chances.

“We have been very inconsistent, the boys know that, but hopefully the result can kick-start things.”

Miller, though, would not be drawn on his longer-term future, as fans remain concerned about Carlisle’s ability to hold onto the striker when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Asked if there had been any talks with the club, he said: “I have no idea what’s happening in respect to that matter. I will just go out, play my football and see what happens. I’ve not spoken about it, I don’t know where things are at the moment, so will just see what happens.”

First published at 11:56, Monday, 14 January 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk