Carlisle boss looking for a solid display against Orient

4:00pm Wednesday 20th August 2008

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CARLISLE boss John Ward is looking for a more solid display against Orient this Saturday.

While the Cumbrians have made a 100 per cent start to the league season with a 3-2 win at Bristol Rovers and a 4-2 home win over Crewe on Saturday, former Cheltenham manager is worried about his sides defensive displays so far.

"We have a duty to entertain if we can but I also have a duty to win games," Ward told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"We've been a bit loose defensively. Last year we had a good record and that's something we need to look at.

"We've got players who can provide some exciting football going forward but we have to get the balance right.

"Greg [Abbott] and I are a bit concerned about the fact that we've conceded four goals and we've been trying to put that to rights in training this week.

"We're not always going to be able to get three or four goals each time we concede two so we've got to stop making that difficult for ourselves."

And Ward was pleased to see last season's top scorer Danny Graham open his account for the campaign with a brace at the weekend ahead of the trip to Brisbane Road where he scored last time against the O's.

"I was delighted for Danny," Ward said. "But I've always said I will judge a striker on the days they don't score.

"The goals are obvious to see. Danny Graham did a good job alongside Danny Carlton at Bristol Rovers and Carlton did a good job alongside Danny Graham against Crewe.

"I'm happy with that partnership and the players seem to be positive with it."