Carlisle United boss Mark Hughes believes his side’s victory over Barrow is the confidence booster they needed to boost their survival hopes.
The Blues finally got their first three points under the former Wales international by beating their Cumbrian rivals on the road thanks to a first-half goal from Matt Dennis. It was a victory that put them within touching distance of escaping the bottom two ahead of this weekend’s remaining fixtures.
“Validation For Me”
After marking their third game unbeaten under Hughes, the former Bradford City boss spoke to the News & Star after the game and revealed how he felt the result could change their season.
“I think there’s more confidence in the group. We knew we were close in the other games to get maximum points, we weren’t able to, but it wasn’t because we were playing poorly or whatever.
“But we still needed the three points and it’s a little bit of validation for me as well. I’ve come in, asked them to do things maybe a little bit differently and I probably needed that win just to make them believe a little bit more – not that they don’t believe, but it does help us.”
“I think everybody feels that we shouldn’t be in this position but the reality is that’s exactly where we are and it’s going to take a huge effort to get out of it.
“But we’ve made a start. We’ve got to build on this.”
Writer’s View
It could be a pivotal result for Carlisle United’s fortunes this season but their win over Barrow means survival is now a real and attainable possibility. However, they now need to get themselves above the drop zone and build upon this result. Their next fixture certainly won’t be an easy one as they face leaders Walsall, but both games against Harrogate Town and Morecambe are must-win fixtures to avoid a humiliating relegation at the end of this season. With Tranmere Rovers now managerless and in freefall, a winner in the game between Carlisle and The Shrimps could be the ones to clinch safety this season.
