It was confirmed at this week’s club press conference that caretaker managers Paul Murray and Tommy Wright are very much part of the club’s future plans, whatever happens with the vacant managerial position.
With the club enjoying a six-game winning streak, which will equal a club record should they beat Northampton on Saturday, Carlisle-born Murray spoke to the press on Wednesday afternoon about the news that the hierarchy want the current coaching staff to remain in place.
“It’s always good to hear something like that because if a new manager comes in, he usually wants to bring his own staff in as well,” he said. “Hearing what’s been said is good news. Whatever happens, we’ll keep things ticking over, and if Tommy and I keep getting results then who would change it, I don’t know?
“I have to say, I’m absolutely fine working with Tommy. We’ve got different attributes and we complement each other really well. We think we’re good together and we’re quite happy to keep things going but, we’re not daft, we both know it’s all about results.
“The test will come when things aren’t going so well, when we have to make the subs to come back from being behind, or something like that. That situation will happen, so the proof will be in the pudding. At the moment I’m just very proud, and everyone at the club is proud, to be getting these results.”
Speaking more about the dynamics of the working relationship, he said: “We’ve been working well together so far.
“Tommy is experienced, and so am I in different ways, but we complement each other well. We can work the good cop, bad cop act both ways, and it’s worked well. Hopefully the lads have enjoyed it these past couple of days, but like I say it is all down to results. It’s up to us to continue to pick up points and we’ll see where we’re at.
“We know we’ve got the next game, so we’ll take Northampton then see where we’re at after that. We’ve just got to keep the momentum going and do as well as we can for the club. I was born in Carlisle and grew up in Denton Holme, so it’s just really good to be part of this at the moment.
“When I first came back in June I said I wanted to come here and get promoted, and that hasn’t changed. It would be my third promotion with this club if we did get there, and that’s something I had in my mind when I came.
“Whether that was as part of the coaching staff, or if it was me and Tommy heading it up, to make it three promotions with Carlisle would be very good. We’ve just got to do the best we can at this moment, and that’s all we can do.”
“Tommy and myself would obviously like to take the job on, but we aren’t naïve enough to think that it isn’t about results,” he confirmed. “It’s all about results, and we’re in a position where we’re on a good run, so it’s about trying to kick on and continue that.
“The aim has to be to get into the play-offs, or into the top three, so if things continue going well of course we’d like it to be the same as it is. All we can do is try and keep this run going, then the decision is with the people upstairs.”