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Ahead of the Carabao Cup 2nd round tie away at Carlisle tomorrow night, Sunderland manager Simon Grayson has been speaking to the media this afternoon from the Academy of Light. The gaffer addressed some key issues including transfers, the Leeds game, rotation for the Carlisle game and illness in the squad.
Leeds game
I think when we look back on the game I was quite pleased with some aspects. We started the game with intensity - from hitting the bar we could have been a goal in front and that changes the whole outlook of the game and the mentality. After doing so well and going a goal behind is a bit of a kick in the teeth. But we kept going and I certainly could not fault the players and we worked extremely hard and showed some decent characteristics. We just seemed to run out of a bit of quality in the right and decision making in the most vital part - the top end of the pitch.
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Transfers and decision-making in the final third
We want good players on the books. We have to make better decisions - I think we have players that can handle the ball and execute certain aspects of the game, but it’s about everybody making better decisions.
(On if anything is imminent)
Not as we stand. There are plenty of conversations with players, clubs etc - there won't be anything new before the game on Tuesday night.
Players returning
It’s good to have players coming back into the fold - these will help us along the way. Bryan Oviedo will start against Carlisle on Tuesday. He’s worked well in training - it’s a good opportunity to have him back in the team and very much welcome because we need as many players as possible - it is a demanding schedule that we have had and will have.
Brendan Galloway
I think Brendan (Galloway) has done okay for us to be fair. He is only 21. There are going to be situations where good players can hurt you. He picked up a knock on Saturday as well - so he is unavailable for the game. It is a learning curve for the players.
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Illness in the squad
We have picked up a couple of knocks from the weekend. Galloway is the only one who is definitely out. We will assess one or two others before the game tomorrow. One or two have reported in with illness as well which is not helpful.
The Carlisle game
It will be a tough test for us because they’ve had a good victory at the weekend they did ever so well last year. I have had a couple of games against Keith (Curle) in recent years in pre-season games and he’s got a good philosophy. It is a local derby as such.
Will he stay awake for the third round draw?
No, I am sure someone can tell me at half past 8 in the morning!