Hughes on 'things to build on' from opening Blues defeat
Mark Hughes insisted he was encouraged by Carlisle United’s “application” even as they lost his first game in charge.
The Blues went down to a 2-1 defeat at Grimsby Town as Hughes took the reins for the first time.
Sam Lavelle put United ahead early on before Justin Obikwu levelled then Danny Rose’s controversial late penalty earned the points for David Artell’s hosts.
Hughes admitted there was a “naivety” about parts of Carlisle’s game but he said he was happy with the endeavour his players showed.
“Fundamentally, as an away team coming to a really difficult place, we've done okay and on another day we certainly would have got a positive result,” said Hughes.
“The lads are disappointed once again, those are the scars that we're taking too readily this season unfortunately.
"I’m more encouraged by their application, and how they were able to affect the opposition as well, and stay in the game so let's hope they build on that.
“I just felt there was a performance of good energy and a group of guys that were trying to implement what the new management team has tried to put into them in just 48 hours or so.
“So, I thought it was good effort in that regard. We had the bonus of taking the lead, which gave us some encouragement and validation.
“But Grimsby are a good side here. They've got a lot of energy, two good frontmen, and a lot of power and pace in the middle of the park as well.
“And on occasion, that was a problem for us, but I thought the effort and the energy of the players was there for everybody to see. I'm encouraged.
“I feel there's more to come. We can obviously have more time with the group and bring the better elements that we certainly showed today, more to the fore on more regular occasions.”
Hughes was critical of referee Zac Kennard-Kettle over the awarding of Grimsby’s penalty, and also his decision not to give the Blues a spot-kick on two occasions.
Otherwise it was a mixed reading overall on bottom-placed United’s performance, as they failed to make up any ground in the relegation battle. The gap to safety remained five points with rivals also losing.
Kadeem Harris hit the post shortly before Grimsby equalised (Image: Richard Parkes)
“By half-time [at 1-0 up] we were pleased up to a point but the reality was we knew they'd come again – they're a big strong powerful side, but we just needed to stay in the game and give ourselves an opportunity to get another opportunity,” the head coach said.
“We probably didn't create as much as the technical ability that we have. We didn't show enough in terms of the creative element of our play but I think that was more to do with the quality of the pitch rather than the intent of the players.
“So I'm expecting a better performance in terms of technical ability at Newport on Tuesday.”
A key seven-minute spell in the second half saw Kadeem Harris hit the post before Newport broke to eqaualise through Obikwu.
“You’re trying to press, and if you get your numbers wrong then with the power they've got. That can happen.
“At times we're trying to get the guys to get close to people, engage and arrive as the ball's arriving.
“Sometimes we've got that timing wrong and that's when they can pop the ball around you and get in.”
Hughes sent United out in a 4-2-3-1 formation – a switch from the 3-4-2-1 favoured by predecessor Mike Williamson.
“I think we've probably simplified it for the guys, changed the shape,” he said.
“Shape and structure is important, but formations are talked about too much, probably, by coaches.
“The reality is you've got to make things happen on a football pitch, and that means running hard, giving everything that you have, and that's a pre-requisite. If you don't have that as a bare minimum, then you're going to struggle.”
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