Strikers impress Carlisle manager

Abbott believes his side can be a real force this season

Carlisle United manager Greg Abbott has praised the performance of his three strikers in the 2-1 friendly defeat by Hull City at Brunton Park.

Carlisle took a 12th-minute lead through new signing Matty Robson before Hull hit back with second-half goals from Daniel Cousin and Peter Halmosi.

"We're looking for a striker, everyone knows that," Carlisle boss Greg Abbott told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"But Gary Madine, Scott Dobie and Joe Anyinsah were outstanding."

He added: "They've all given me a selection problem in their own right.

Let's show the (three forwards) a little bit of respect by not harping on about another striker

Greg Abbott

"You've got pace and power with Joe." Abbott said. "You've got honest, endeavour and guts with Scott and you've got Gary Madine who's come back with a terrific appetite and looks a different player from last year."

"We know we've got to put the ball in the back of the net and that was the bit that was missing.

"But if we keep playing like that...we'll be a really good side this season."

"I feel very optimistic, we probably played some of the best football since I came to the club," Abbott said.

"We passed the ball terrifically well, we got the ball into good areas....and we created seven or eight fantastic chances.

"We could have won the game quite comfortably against a Premier League side who have got some quality players and at times we made them look quite ordinary," he added.

The Cumbrians saw three forwards leave during the summer in Danny Graham, Michael Bridges and Danny Carlton.

Graham has joined Championship side Watford for a fee that is likely to be determined by tribunal, Carlton has moved to League Two Bury while Bridges has rejected a permanent return to Brunton Park.

Abbott confirmed that he is only looking to bring in one more striker in time for the new season.

"We're out there hunting." Abbott said. "We're looking for one better than we've got and at the minute the three (Madine, Dobie and Anyinsah) are doing really well.

"It's difficult to find one at the moment who's the right player. There's phone calls going in all the time.

"But let's show the (three forwards) a little bit of respect by not harping on about another striker."