Carlisle Utd (A) Tuesday March 4th, 7.45pm

Match Centre 24/25
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“My own red roses”

(Thompson)

Followers of “Blackadder goes forth” will recall that Stephen Fry (General Melchett) insisted on repeating the same strategy and tactics time and again despite their failure, because “doing the same again is just what the opposition won’t expect”. Perhaps the time is somewhat overdue for Mat Sadler to consider ringing some changes in his team selection and methods. Certain players (no names, no pack drill) seem to be extremely “leggy” and almost give the impression of not being particularly bothered. In the past week we have accumulated just one point from six on offer, and that isn’t promotion form. Cheltenham Town were able to score in the 89th and 93rd minute, and against Swindon Town we managed just two attempts on target in the whole game - this is Swindon, who have conceded almost 1.5 goals per game this season!

In a way it’s similar to what we have all seen in long distance cycle road races - one rider breaks away from the pack early on, and establishes a clear lead, 50, maybe 100 yards, but as the pursuit goes on the chasing pack (seemingly working together, as they have the same objective) reel the leader in, every time.

And so we come to the ultimate banana-skin - a game at the bottom club Carlisle United, who have only won 6 out of their 33 games so far. We must win this one, surely? Their recent form:

February 1st Swindon Town (H) Lost 1-5
February 8th Grimsby Town (A) Lost 2-1
February 11th Newport County (A) Lost 1-0
February 15th Colchester Utd (H) Drew 0-0
February 22nd Gillingham (H) Drew 0-0
February 27th Barrow (A) Won 0-1

Carlisle Utd are currently managed by Mark (“Sparky”) Hughes, and ownership rests with Florida based Castle Sports Group. Players who have represented both clubs include Zigor Aranalde, Jonny Brain, Brandon Comley, Andy Cook, Matty Fryatt, Anthony Gerrard, Mick Halsall (caretaker manager for us), Kevin Harper, Karl Hawley (twice player of the year for Carlisle), Kevan Hurst, Jabo Ibehre, Gary Liddle, Tony Lowery, Derek Mountfield, Mark Prudhoe, Ray Train and Hayden White.

Various suggestions have already been made as to team selection (see Swindon Town thread). The main thing is that we simply HAVE to win this one - no excuses. Say 0-2 to the Saddlers?

UTS

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Thanks Welsh and as ever, a fine intro….

Really worried they are going to turn us over in this one - the situation couldn’t be more vivid could it?

They’re scrambling for every point with a good manager for the situation and coming off the back of a local derby win vs Barrow

We’re looking desperately out of form and agree, ‘leggy’…. Nothing seemed to work for us yesterday and players seem bereft of the qualities they were showing in abundance a few months ago…

Sorry but it’s a 3-1 loss for me :frowning:

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We don’t win on a Tuesday night away, do we :thinking:, lose this against the bottom of league and the dream of winning the league is over believe me

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2-0 Walsall. Now is the time to really get behind the lads, we’re down but we’re certainly not out, anyone else in this league would swap league positions with us at the moment it’s obvious to say. UTS

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I know we are all fearing the worst now with how our results are going and those of the chasing pack, but this team needs our vocal backing now more than ever.

Was a little disappointed with the noise levels generated yesterday by us, especially against those lowlifes.

We are all starting to get a little worried and I’m sure the team are feeling it too, so we need to start making some serious noise and get them performing again.

I don’t like to, or ever predict scores where we’re concerned, but I’m hopeful of coming home with 3 points.

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They are clearly improving and we are not doing so well. Another draw methinks 1-1

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Can’t see us winning this with 2 6’s as it dilutes our attacking options too much. Lucky if we get a point. Yesterday was like watching the saddlers from a season or 2 ago. I’m thinking lose 1-0 if Barrett plays (we know Sadler well enough to know that he will). Win 1-0 if Uncs replaces Barrett and we revert to the back 3 of Dave/Willow/Tails and play with 2 8’s focusing our attack on the wings. I think Carlisle would’ve been happy with a point out of this, but after our performance yesterday they might smell blood.

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Dreading this game even more so than the long journey up there on a Tuesday night

But will take my seat hoping. Mr saddler comes to his senses. And gets Dj on from the off and picks a team to dismantle. The poorest team in the division

He needs to realise. Real quick. That his stubbornness to change. Could. Result in him being responsible for the biggest failure in the clubs history

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Is it really true we haven’t won on a Tuesday night since that night in Burslem?

Surely not :joy: or is it just winning away on a Tuesday night?

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We have won at home on a Tuesday, we beat Accrington last season didn’t we?

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Not a clue! It must be away! I am sure I read that somewhere (probably on here)

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The game when we moved into the top 7 last season, that was a Tuesday night.

Still, that night at Vale feels like an age ago; we have had two managers since then.

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I was at Carlisle v Gillingham last week whilst visiting a mate for the weekend.
They looked reasonably solid without being exciting or ultra creative. They had a little midfielder with a pony tail who tidied up and passed the ball around but not a lot in midfield - no one got ahead of the forwards. Their forwards are loans and a little wet behind the ears so our defenders should handle them fine, you’d think.
The big danger for me, and I thought it all second half, was their left winger, number 40 Kadeem Harris. He was quiet first half but on it second half and ripped the Gills right back a new one tbh. I stood there thinking he could spell trouble for us in our game there. So, I am a little worried that if Barrett is knackered then they will use that as their main outlet, and a rest with Osimwie coming in, might be a good call.

Yes, they won at Barrow in the week, and clearly Hughes has them playing better and more solid, but we can definitely get a result there if we play positively. Their goalie looked a little iffy on balls into the box and on the 6 yard line, so we have to whip balls in and put enough presence in the box. Their full backs didn’t seem that amazing so let’s get our wingbacks running at them.

Their pitch was also really good! So, there is no excuse for not being able to use the ball and play a bit of football.

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The team looks shattered and low on confidence which is to be expected because the way we play simply has to drain everyone’s tank.
Add to that we’ve stopped keeping clean sheets and yesterday created absolutely nothing and it’s worrying to say the least.
Hughes will be aware of this and they are fighting for their league status which I think will be the difference on Tuesday.
I’ve said it on another thread but I’ll repeat it here, I don’t expect MS to make much if any changes and sadly it suddenly feels like another Swindon outcome.
To really cheer everyone up if the saddlers and Bradford continue like this Tuesday and Saturday we will be second at 5 o clock.

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No excuses. Carlisle are the worst team in the entire EFL.

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We have won a few at home but not away since then. Just 6 draws in 21 Tuesday night away matches since the Vale win.

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Jesus. That’s bad isn’t it ?

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We have learnt (rightly or wrongly) Sadler is very stubborn, and has his favourites.

I would be surprised if there is any other change on Tuesday other than Lakin in for Comley.

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That is true over the whole season, but based on the last 8 or 9 matches, they are playing as well as Walsall.

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Anyone who went to Scunthorpe a few seasons back will know nothing is granted.

I will say win

Not because I think we will but I’m throwing a dice - don’t know how it lands but I say win

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