Carlisle Utd boss praises tormentor Taylor
Last updated at 14:24, Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Carlisle United boss Greg Abbott claimed wantaway winger Cleveland Taylor turned in his best performance since joining the club in last night’s friendly against Hull.
Taylor tormented the Premier League side’s defenders as the Cumbrians went down to a gutsy 2-1 defeat at Brunton Park.
The popular wide man, who has submitted a transfer request so he can be closer to his ailing grandmother, received a huge ovation from home fans after the final whistle.
And Taylor looks increasingly likely to start the 2009/10 campaign with the Blues unless they receive a suitable offer for his services in the 17 days before the big kick-off against Brentford.
“That’s probably the best Cleveland has played in a Carlisle shirt,” said Abbott, who was non-committal on reports he is eyeing Sunderland striker Martyn Waghorn.
“I hope he can reproduce that against Brentford – if he’s still here.
“Our supporters will always applaud enthusiasm, energy and honesty and I think Cleveland gives you all that. Hopefully we are all going to give the fans that.”
Former Hartlepool left-winger Matty Robson marked his home debut with a first-half goal as United dominated Phil Brown’s side, which included former England star Nick Barmby and Dutch veteran George Boateng.
Daniel Cousin and Peter Halmosi turned things around for the Tigers after the break but Abbott said he was delighted with his team’s display.
“If we can reproduce that sort of form, we will comfortably win games at League One level,” the manager said.
“The fans were privileged to see a really good performance and I want the lads to play like that every week.
“From day one I have seen a different approach and mentality from them. There is a huge improvement in what we are doing compared to last season. Selection is going to be much harder this year because there are so many players pushing for places.”
Home fans got their first glimpse of Robson’s fellow new boys Lenny Pidgeley, Tom Taiwo and Adam Collin, while Brazilian Geovanni and Republic of Ireland ace Kevin Kilbane featured for the top-flight visitors.
Player-coach Graham Kavanagh did not play in last night’s game and is due to see a specialist about a shoulder problem.
His fellow midfielder Marc Bridge-Wilkinson was subbed after taking a knock in the second half but Abbott insisted the fit-again schemer had simply “ran out of steam”.
United, who host Middlesbrough this Saturday, hope Hull will return for another friendly next summer.
A more urgent matter for Abbott is his search for a new striker and the boss refused to deny reports in the north-east that 19-year-old Black Cats prospect Waghorn was on his radar.
“I can’t talk about Steve Bruce’s players,” he said. “But Martyn is one we know all about and he is a very, very good player.”
n Norwich and Swindon are keeping tabs on former Blues midfielder Chris Lumsdon, who is now with Darlington but has yet to sign a contract with the Quakers as they bid to come out of administration.
First published at 11:30, Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
Well done lads, you all played well last night. Great defence and full control in midfield. We totally dominated the first half and the only player who did nothing was our new goalie, Pidgely. Our defence stopped everything from reaching him. The midfield worked solidly as a team and passed everything in style. They had Hull chasing shadows. Now unfortunately for the down side. We lost because we had no strikers to match Hull. We had Scott Dobie as our only recognised striker in the first half replaced by Madine for the second. We played the game without a prolific recognised goal scorer and it cost us the game in the end. Our two top strikers have been long gone and we still haven't replaced even one of them yet. Greg Abbot promised us a complete squad before the friendlies began, so they could get to bond andwork together before the pre-season games got under way. Last week Greg was quoted as saying he was not going to be rushed into bringing a striker in. Wake up Greg! Four of our friendlies have already been played now. There's a big difference between being rushed and running out of time and you've hit the latter.
Our team that we have now showed masses of potential last night and i was proud of them but we need that potential turned into goals. The only weakness in the Carlisle United team was the lack of goal mouth finishers and you can't blame our boys for that. That lands squarely at Gregs door. The boys are doing there bit, it's time you did yours. Excuses don't score goals. We need two strikers to replace the two we have lost and if one of those has to be a long term loan, then so be it, but we need them NOW! If this is achieved and hopefully very soon, then from what i witnessed last night, watch out the rest of division one, because you aren't going to know what's hit you. Fully entertained last night, THANKS LADS.
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Why not play COOK for part of match on sat against Middlesbourgh.He was with them for quite a while and would be keen to show them what they had let go.Failing that we need a new striker!!!!!
Posted by bob holmes on 22 July 2009 at 19:53