Carlisle boss Chris Beech declared himself happy with the “commitment and bravery” of new boys Nick Anderton and Lewis Alessandra in the 2-1 win against Walsall.
They helped the Blues give their survival hopes a big boost in the victory that took them seven points clear of the League Two relegation place.
Left-back Anderton scored just 20 minutes into his United career while fellow debutant Alessandra was named man-of-the-match after a hard-working attacking display.
On ex-Blackpool man Anderton, Beech said: “I just love his tackling, I love the way…it’s a man out there.
“I love the way he’s hard to beat, the way he’s committed to his opportunity.
“He made some good runs in training for set plays and more [in the game]. He tells me he’s only scored two goals with his right foot would you believe, and he scored one here.”
Former Morecambe forward Alessandra earned the free-kick which led to Anderton’s opener with a determined run. Beech said: “The first goal doesn’t happen without that instinct and bravery. I want to see players doing that.
“I get questioned all the time, ‘Why isn’t he playing, why isn’t he playing?...’
“He’s playing because he does, and if you want to play, do better.”
He added of Alessandra’s work-rate: “That’s what he does. He’s not played for a while and it’s important he recovers. He took great responsibility.”
United ended a four-game scoring drought in the league at home and secured only their second league win under Beech.
Stevenage’s 1-0 defeat to Plymouth sent Graham Westley’s side bottom and United will be out to stretch their seven-point gap when they go to Forest Green on Tuesday night.
Beech said: “The lads are digging in deep, working hard and for each other, supporting each other and being well supported by the supporters. It’s great to beat Walsall twice, home and away, same scoreline.
“It’s been a long time in the league since they’ve been two goals in front; I did suggest we were in the same position against Cardiff [in the FA Cup], and we’ve got to be so careful in the next 10 minutes in the second half.
“Walsall did score but the response, psychologically, from that point forwards was excellent.”
Beech said his defenders, including centre-halves Byron Webster and Aaron Hayden, gave impressive performances to restrict Walsall in the second half.
He added that a good team effort defensively helped get the job done.
“It’s about important moments,” he said. “Nathan Thomas clearing a corner when it’s vital, Byron Webster getting his head in the six-yard box onto something, vital. Aaron Hayden the same. Any loose balls cleared correctly.
“There was one great block on the edge of the box when the ball spilled, and there were three or four players wanting to get in the way and stop it going in.
“It was the same at Oldham, but there we weren’t getting out when their winger came inside or played a sideways pass, it hit Max [Hunt] and deflected in. Here we were getting tighter.
“You’ve got to learn from it. It’s great we’ve got analysis now; I’ve utilised it this week, showing them that, we didn’t have that six weeks ago, so I’m really pleased.”
Beech also explained the thinking behind United’s defensive approach after Walsall had pulled a goal back early in the second half.
He said: “On the radio I was asked if we backed off in terms of our performance, but we didn’t.
“You can’t help a goalkeeper putting it right down your centre-half’s throat; if you don’t pass the extra pass you can’t press it.
“Walsall went more direct, which in turn means we have to defend more. I was pleased with how our midfield held down the middle of the pitch, was displeased with some of the risks Elliot [Watt] took, but at times he played some great passes too.
“But it’s about being a team – and they were a team.”
He also said a back four of Webster, Hayden, Anderton and Gethin Jones had stood up to the test.
It was a more balanced defensive line-up with each player in their preferred position, after several weeks of using Jones and Hayden in different full-back slots.
Beech said: “There’s some physical elements to each player in that too.
“I’m not trying to discredit the past but I want us harder to be beaten. The back four [on Saturday] are harder people to beat, and they’re playing in their positions.
“While we’ve got to this point, recruiting Nick, we’ve done pretty well in terms of competing and stopping getting beat.
“I thank the lads for being adaptable. We might have to adapt in the future, you don’t know what’s around the corner.”
Beech played down any injury concerns after Stefan Scougall went off with a knock in the second half. He said: “Scougs likes doing that, and you can put this in the press – I nutmegged him three times in training on Friday so I think it’s part of that…”
The United boss added that he is hoping to add more signings before Friday’s deadline.
Carlisle are thought to be seeking reinforcements in midfield and attack.
Beech said: “I do need more players, we are still looking and we’ll continue to look.”
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