Rob Elliot says Tom Piatak, right, has been "supportive" amid the criticism of Carlisle's recent struggles (Image: Richard Parkes / Ben Holmes)
Rob Elliot says Tom Piatak, right, has been "supportive" amid the criticism of Carlisle's recent struggles (Image: Richard Parkes / Ben Holmes)
Rob Elliot says he has had “supportive” talks with Carlisle United owner Tom Piatak amid the battle to turn the Blues’ season around.
The head coach said he held honest discussions with the club’s chairman in the wake of last Saturday’s 5-2 defeat to Woking.
United went on to bounce back with a 2-0 win at AFC Fylde, the Blues keeping faith in Elliot despite calls for his head from some fans after the Woking game.
After the latter, Elliot said he anticipated conversations about the way forward with the club’s hierarchy.
Asked, after the Fylde win, what such discussions had entailed, Elliot said: “I had a good chat with Tom on Friday before the game, and on Monday afterwards as well – and I was just honest with him.
“I said I'll always be honest with him and always tell him what I think, good and bad.
“There's a lot of good, there's also some stuff that we need to improve on.
“He's supportive and he wants us to do well, and I think he's someone that understands how much we care as staff.
“It's not just me, by the way, there's a lot of people here that have come in, and people that have been here before, that care so much about the club.
“It's hard for them as well [on days like Saturday]. What I'd say is the staff have acted superbly well, the players have reacted brilliantly well – but [the Fylde win] is one game and we know what happens if we don't back it up on Saturday at Aldershot.
Carlisle's 2-0 win at Fylde eased some of the recent pressure and criticism from Elliot and the team
(Image: Richard Parkes)
“So all I ask of the players and everyone is let's get a bit of momentum, get behind the lads and go into Saturday with the same mentality, and I'll be happy.”
Elliot said he remains strong enough to handle the kind of flak that has come his way in recent days.
He said he will continue to put himself forward as the target for any stick if it means it protects the players.
“I can take it, it’s no bother to me,” the Blues boss told the News & Star.
“I know I'm doing the right things, I know I work hard, I know I set the team up, we train properly, we do all the research on teams, we give the lads all the information, so I'm comfortable with that.
“I’m no stranger to this environment and the criticism, and I'd rather it was aimed at me instead of the players.
“If you're unhappy, aim it at me – that's no bother at all, because these lads care and they give everything for the club.
“They let themselves down for 45 minutes last Saturday, but they responded from a poor situation.
“We now need to make sure we back it up.”
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