Penney upbeat despite defeat

OUCH: Athletic’s Chris Taylor feels the force of a Carlise tackle last night. Athletic

DAVE PENNEY was far from downcast despite Athletic’s Carling Cup defeat last night at Carlisle United.

The Athletic manager was satisfied with his side’s performances, even though they lost 1-0. He felt they controlled long periods of the match at Brunton Park only to be let down by the lack of a cutting edge.

Penney admitted it was a game which could have gone either way and that he had been preparing for extra-time before Scott Dobie scored Carlisle’s matchwinner in the 88th minute.

He said: “We need to have that little bit more belief, guile, know-how and composure in the final third to open teams up.

“The longer it goes on, it will prey on people’s minds. But if we keep making chances - I would say we have created over 20 in our first two matches - I am sure the goals will come.

“I was pleased with our workrate. We put them under a lot of pressure and made them make unforced errors.”

Penney explained that he changed his strikeforce because Pawel Abbott and Keigan Parker worked tirelessly in the heat on Saturday and that is why he decided to rest the pair and give Darren Byfield and Chris O’Grady a chance up front.

Despite winning his fitness battle to turn out last night, Chris Taylor continues to be a cause for concern.

The winger, who strained a groin on Saturday, was again struggling with the same problem by the end of the game.

Penney said: “It is a worry as we are not sure what the problem is exactly. We need to get to the bottom of what is causing it.

“It settled down, but when he tires it causes him a problem so we will have to assess it again.”

Midfield man Danny Whitaker had six stitches inserted in a gash following a clash of heads, but he should be available for Saturday’s league game at Leyton Orient.

And on-loan Alex Marrow will be back for the trip to Brisbane Road. Blackburn Rovers refused him permission to play in the Carling Cup last night.