Source: Daily_Mail
Carlisle boss calls on Sir Alex Ferguson to erase Wembley pain
Carlisle United manager Greg Abbott received two phone calls in the final week of the transfer window.[LNB]One was from Sir Alex Ferguson, thanking him for the treatment of one of his Manchester United players who had just completed a loan spell with the Cumbrian club.[LNB]The second was from his new Bermudan striker, Nehki Wells, asking his manager to go to the supermarket on his behalf, because he had run out of food.[LNB] Welcome to the diverse world of League One management.[LNB] Pain game: Carlisle boss Abbott is still smarting from last year's heavy Final defeat at to Southampton (below)[LNB] The call from Sir Alex came after James Chester had completed a loan spell at Brunton Park which actually led to a permanent move to Hull City. As a mark of their gratitude, United quickly loaned Carlisle their defender Joe Dudgeon as a replacement, but the United boss's personal acknowledgement was just as important.[LNB]Abbott said: 'Sir Alex rang me after James left to thank me for the way we had looked after him. It was fantastic for me and the club to receive that level of credibility. I always felt we were doing things the right way, and that proved it to me.[LNB]'James is one of the best pros I have ever worked with. Everything about him was class, even his digs were immaculate, which was tremendous for our young lads to see and learn from.[LNB]'His dad rang me after he'd left to say how grateful James and his family were, and it was one of the nicest phone calls I have ever had. Things like that make the job worthwhile.'[LNB]Wells arrived from Bermuda earlier in the season and has taken a little time to settle into the world of a Football League club. So far, to make his move to England easier, he has avoided fines from team-mates for tardiness or inappropriate clothing. [LNB] Worlds apart: Sir Alex Ferguson called Abbott to thank him for looking after on-loan defender James Chester... but he also received a call from new Bermudan striker Nehki Wells (R) asking him to get his shopping![LNB]Abbott said: 'He rang me very early on and asked me to go to Tesco for him because he'd run out of food. He genuinely didn't know what else to do. He rings me all the time asking for things he shouldn't even be asking his team-mates, never mind the manager.[LNB]'But I am fairly laid back about it. It has taken him time to get used to the culture, but the kid has great ability and a real chance.[LNB]'I turned round at Peterborough to bring him on recently and he was nearly horizontal on the bench behind me, lying down like he was on the beach in Bermuda. I actually screamed at him in the most abusive but nicest language I could find to tell him to get ready to come on.'[LNB]Up for it: Abbott is confident his side can do him proud at Wembley this time[LNB]On Sunday Abbott returns with Carlisle, and 15,000 fans, for the Johnstone Paints Trophy Final. A year ago they were thrashed by Alan Pardew's Southampton. Abbott is still recovering from the embarrassment.[LNB]Even though only four players survive, there will be no fuss and pre-match visit this year. Carlisle, who lost to fellow finalists Brentford last week, are in determined mood.[LNB]Abbott added: 'To lose so badly was hard to take, even though, things did not go our way in the build-up with injuries on the Thursday and Friday and then the individuals errors we made in the game.[LNB]'They had quality throughout the team and, like a boxer, the ability to land some big punches which, on the day, they did. We didn't land any. It was my worst day in football and I really don't think I have ever recovered from it.[LNB]'We have just done a sports room at home with a big tv, pool table and small bar and my missus Sally was putting some memorabilia on the walls. I told her I didn't want any pictures from last year's final, even though it is a big achievement for me and it was my first time at Wembley.[LNB]'We had a little argument about it and she won, as most women do. [LNB]'She said it was not just about you that day, but my whole family and they were so proud of me and what I had achieved and what this team achieved. So she put up a photo of a big panoramic view of Wembley with me and the team during the national anthem. It's a lovely picture, to be fair, so I lost the argument but I do agree with her. It was an achievement to get there.[LNB]'But I have not looked at the DVD of the game or any photos or any memorabilia. I haven't even seen any replays of the goals, I watched every single league goal we conceded over and over again. [LNB]'We all need to exorcise that day. I have a personal issue with it but I think the whole club has and I just lead it.[LNB] Get over it: Abbott is keen for his team to put bitter memories of last season's defeat behind them[LNB]'It was the biggest and worst dummy run ever but we have learned from it. This year we won't go to Wembley the day before. [LNB]'It interrupted the most important thing which was the football but we didn't realise we didn't have to go for the visit, we thought we would be snubbing FA but then we only had a time-span between 11 and one, so training was cut short, then we got stuck in traffic, then dinner was interrupted.[LNB]'We have told the players, it is just a pitch with two goalposts. It's slightly different round the outside and the showers have hot water; so enjoy the differences, don't be frightened by them.'[LNB] Wigan join the chase for Carlisle's Ivorian striker Francois ZokoSheffield United, Norwich and Burnley keen on Carlisle youngster MadineCarlisle 1 Southampton 4: Saints end 34-year wait for trophy at Wembley [LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson Places: United Kingdom
