Leo Duru feels Carlisle United must “start faster” and be more clinical than they were in Saturday’s stalemate against Kidderminster Harriers.
The popular wing-back also feels the Blues are due some better luck than they are currently experiencing.
Duru was named man of the match in Saturday’s 0-0 draw but admits it was a frustrating day on a collective front.
The 21-year-old admits the Blues needed to be better in key areas.
“It was a disappointing result to come away with only the point against a side that we dominated for the whole game,” he told the News & Star.
“I think it was a really good defensive performance from the team, but we just weren't clinical enough, and against a team that wants to sit back and defend and hit us on the counter, we need to score goals and put them to the sword.
“I think it comes down to our decision-making. That's on myself as well, but for the whole team, decision-making.
“Because we all have the quality to go and score goals and get assists, but decision-making is a big one – and then luck as well.
“I don't want to put it on luck, obviously, but I think that we just haven't had the luck this season. That's not an excuse at all, but I think that things will turn for the better.”
Carlisle’s assistant head coach Louis Storey felt the Blues “wasted” the first 45 minutes with their display against a defensive-minded Kidderminster.
Fans also observed the slow nature of much of United’s play.
On the challenge of breaking down a deep-lying opponent, Duru said: “I think we just needed to stick to our morals and our game plan.
“The manager wants to play football where we dominate teams, and we stick to our skill sets that we do – switching the play, box runs, things like that. I think we needed to stick to that better, switch the play more.
“We were forcing too many things, and rushing it because they were sitting back so much. We started to rush things and not back ourselves just to stay on the ball and do what we can do.
“I also think that we needed more energy for the whole game. For the next game, we know what we can build on. We need to start faster, start stronger. We know we need to do better.”
Duru denied that he feels any extra anxiety about performing under the pressure and expectation of the home support at Brunton Park – simply conceding that Carlisle’s results need to be better on home soil.
“I just think it's something that we need to work on, performing better at home, because we had two good away performances coming into this game,” he said.
“But there's a chance just to turn that around against Tamworth next week, so we'll just look forward to that.”
Duru himself is enjoying a positive run in the side and earning plaudits for his performances.
The summer signing said: “The bigger picture is the team's performances, but I'm happy that the fans are seeing my efforts, and I just ask that they stick with us.
“I'm learning a lot. It’s a good group to come into, and the way we play football [makes it] easy for me to express myself.
“But there's a lot more to come from me, and a lot more to come from the team.”
The FA Cup fourth round qualifying tie against Tamworth this weekend is something to be embraced rather than a distraction from the league, Duru feels.
“We take every game seriously, we go to win every game that we play, so I think it's just another opportunity to build momentum and build confidence,” he added.
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