Carlisle United’s caretakers have received positive feedback from owner Tom Piatak on their first game in temporary charge.

The way the Blues tried to play against Nottingham Forest Under-21s was to the chairman’s liking in spite of the 2-1 defeat.

Steven Rudd, Jamie Devitt and Mark Birch are in temporary charge as the Blues step up the process of recruiting a new sporting director and head coach.

It’s understood early Zoom calls with potential candidates have already been held, at a time the interim trio are preparing the side for Saturday’s league trip to Bradford City.

Piatak has said he wants the next boss at Brunton Park to oversee a positive style of play – something the caretakers are also trying to promote.

“The owners and Nigel [Clibbens], the chief executive, came into the office after Tuesday’s game and were positive about the performance,” Rudd told the News & Star.

“They said well done and things like that – but it's not the same when you've still lost a game of football, is it?

“Would you rather play really well and lose or play not as good and win? I know which one I'd rather have, and I just want three points on Saturday.

“The performance will be positive and front-foot dominant – we're going for it – but we now need that result to back it up and move us up this table.”

Dominic Sadi and United were on the front foot for much of Tuesday's game but the Blues were beatenDominic Sadi and United were on the front foot for much of Tuesday's game but the Blues were beaten (Image: Richard Parkes)

Piatak has said that United will ideally make appointments in the next two weeks but the process will not be rushed.

He also said the speed of events would not be affected by results in the meantime, good or bad.

Asked to what extent the caretakers are being kept in the loop, Rudd added: “We're not involved in it. We don't want to be involved in it.

“We know that at whatever point that we go back to our academy jobs, it is for the hierarchy to organise and sort.

“We are aware of what's going on, obviously, but we're not overly up to date with where they're at.

“We know [talks are] ongoing and they want it done as soon as they can, but it's getting the right people in the right places to make sure that we can go and kick on as a club.”

Rudd is pleased with the way the players have responded to himself, Birch and Devitt since the academy trio took first-team charge.

And he says the build-up to the Bradford game will allow for more detailed preparation than was possible for Tuesday’s Bristol Street Motors Trophy game, which came three days after Paul Simpson’s departure.

“Since Tuesday it's been a bit calmer,” Rudd said.

“Obviously, we've had more time to prepare and plan and get more detail into the players, which is good.

Steven Rudd says Jamie Devitt's knowledge of many of the United players is an obvious benefitSteven Rudd says Jamie Devitt's knowledge of many of the United players is an obvious benefit (Image: Richard Parkes)

“It’s like everything – in time, things do settle, the dust settles a bit. Everything becomes a bit more normal and that's what this week's felt like, really.

“It's felt a bit more normal since Tuesday. It’s been positive since then as we gear up towards Saturday.

“The players have been brilliant. I know Jamie Devitt has played with most, or some of them, over his career, either here at Carlisle or at other clubs, so he's got a really close link with the players.

“Myself and Birchy have been around the club since pre-season and before, so names to faces isn't an issue. It's not three strangers walking into the group.

“It’s going really well. The players are positive, they're asking questions, they're wanting information. We sit and have dinner with them, we're in team meetings.

“There’s a really good link between us and them and we are all in this together for the best of the club.”