Caretaker boss Steven Rudd believes Carlisle United will improve the more players adjust to their new style of play.
A more passing style was on show when the Blues lost 2-1 at Bradford City in their first league game after Paul Simpson’s departure.
The interim regime of Rudd, Mark Birch and Jamie Devitt have responded to owner Tom Piatak’s wish for a different style of play at Brunton Park.
Rudd believes it is the way forward for the Cumbrians even if these are the early days of adjustment.
“I think the more the lads play it, and have a go at it, and learn and develop and gain confidence in doing it, they'll be better at it,” said the academy manager.
Owner and chairman Piatak said any potential head coach candidates would have to promote a “front foot, attacking” style which he wanted to be the team’s identity.
Carlisle looked to play out from the back more than before at Bradford and made more passes in the game than any of their previous 2024/25 League Two fixtures.
Rudd has conceded that such an approach brings its own risks, such as the second-minute goal Bradford scored when Harry Lewis’ pass to Jon Mellish saw the defender ambushed in possession.
“Playing that type of football, these things are going to happen,” the caretaker said.
“We take full responsibility for it. It's how the club want to play going forward, it's how we want to play, it's how the players want to play, but we do have to own up that mistakes are going to happen playing that way.”
United, who are recruiting a new sporting director as well as a head coach, are now preparing for the visit of Fleetwood Town in the league this weekend.
Rudd said the need to eradicate the errors that cost United at Bradford is just as important as any considerations on style of play.
“It’s just doing the basics better, and the sooner we get that in, cut out the mistakes, do the basics better, the luck will change,” he said.
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