League Two Fixtures - 19th November

[hellogregory]

I'm not exactly sure what you're after from Carlisle United. You do realise that we're a league two club?

To say that we were terrible for 60 minutes is an insult. Sure, we were starved of possession, but seriously possession is vastly overrated, and when possession football is played the Salford way it's incredibly boring to watch. We scored a goal, hit the post and missed a one on one in that first half. Salford huffed and puffed, pinged it about but never really got anywhere. Holy pulled off a great save but bar that I was never sweating on our apparent frailties.

Then we all saw what happened in the last 30 minutes. From the moment Guy scored we had our collective feet on their necks and we never let up. That's real entertaining football. Pressure, direct, decisive and clinical.

Now I've seen some proper terrible teams in my time watching Carlisle United and this bunch have not come close to any of those appalling teams once this season. I mean I've been to games where we celebrated getting a corner like it was a goal. Some of our teams over the years have been painfully comical.

We may have patches during games where we're off the boil, we may even lose a game or even go on a winless run of half a dozen. During any of those moments the thought that this team is terrible would never enter my mind because its simply not true.

No I forgot that we’re a league 2 club. Fuck sake What kind of a question is that?

In my opinion from the Dennis goal to the Guy goal, we didn’t play well at all. If you disagree that’s fine, but no need for the patronising “you do realise” question.

Ok if we’re talking the wide scheme of football and comparing every performance in history from all levels we’ve been at, then I suppose you could say it wasn’t a terrible 60 minutes. But in terms of this season I’d put that 60 minutes down as one of our poorest displays. We could barely string two passes together for most of it. Our formation changed about 3 times in that 60 minutes because we weren’t getting to grips with the game at all.

For balance I’d put the last 30 minutes up there with our best this season. But going on the logic you’ve hit me with, maybe I can’t say it was brilliant 30 minute display because I’ve seen much better Carlisle teams in the league above.

 

[Brox]

1-1 draw with Grimsby. Didn't think we played particularly well, and their late equaliser was fully deserved unfortunately.

Switch up in formation today, more of a 4-4-2, chances are it was an effort to deal with the missing midfielders as opposed to combating Grimsby but either way it didn't really work.

Thought we started off ok, had a couple of openings, Clark probably should do better when presented with a one on one in the first half, was never convincing though and he poked wide. Grimsby grew in to the game, their first real effort a header from their right back before both sides traded defensive errors which could have resulted in either side taking the lead.

Grimsby started to expose us on the break and won a penalty when Ashby-Hammond brought down Clifton. Fortunately McAtee's spot kick was trash and Ashby-Hammond was able to atone for his earlier "error" - not saying it wasn't a penaty as I didn't get a clear view but the direction of the ball suggested TAH got something on the ball.

Just before the break we were caught on the break again, Khan whipping his shot against the crossbar and the ball somehow made it across the face of goal and was then turned wide by McAtee (I think) who missed the open goal whilst under pressure from TVC.

Second half Grimsby came out the better side, had a lot more of the ball and looked like the side in the ascendancy. The pressure was there but the chance were few and far between. It was actually us that had a few half chances before we managed to grab the opening goal 10-15 minutes from time. Amoo picked the ball up on the half way line, he beat his man before playing a decent ball into the box, Reid controlled the cross well before unselfishly laying into the path of Reeves, whose left footed effort found the bottom corner.

For the remainder of the game we found ourselves under the cosh, with Grimsby throwing everything at us, when the leveller did arrive it was a scrappy one from a corner. After that there were 6 minutes left and I was worried that Grimsby were going to take all three points, as it happened the only chance in that time fell our wayas Norris was denied earning us an undeserved win.

 

[AR27]

Gilliead, Chapman, Smallwood

to quote Blair "weak, weak, weak"

McWilliams, Sowerby and Fox out-fought and out-played them.

I have absolutely no idea how we still have McWilliams. The most consistant ball winning player we have had in the last 20 years and is now becoming a complete midfielder.

Gilliead is shite, don't think there's a single City fan that rates him. Smallwood was terrible today and never recovered from gifting you the first goal and Chapman was Chapman - danced around two players in the first few minutes then blasted his shot into the top tier of the Bradford End when it looked easier to score.

McWilliams was very good for you, both in and out of possession and exposed our biggest weakness which is central midfield.

 

[Stocky]

Certainly stole the win today, Stockport didn't deserve to lose the game. First 20mins their aggressive front foot game had us in bits and if the second goal goes in we probably don't go away with anything. Wooton in particular caused us alot of problems - He won every header, as well as Hyppolyte on the left.

Our equaliser managed to settle us a bit, only our second headed goal of the season.

Second half we was better and the game was more even I thought, after 60mins Wellens made a big call to switch to a back three (which we have deployed when needed) to match Stockport up - big calls as well to take off George Moncur and Paul Smyth, two of our biggest attacking threats. Within minutes we've managed to score the winner through Beckles, superb finish for a centre half. One of the subs Aaron Drinans driving run won the corner we scored from.

We managed to see out the remaining part of the game well, despite the heavy pressure Vigs didn't have any saves but had to be alert to claim a fare few crosses.

First time this season we've really had to dig in like that, not being able play our usual passing game and change the shape to scrape the winner, because thats what we did scrape the win against a team with their tails up. Wellens not on the touchline either as he wasn't well, may have had a factor in our performance because he really drives the team and when he's not there the levels do drop.

The ref was a bit poor, we did benefit from it most. Seb Stockbridge is crap, we had him last season last game of the season and he confused himself by awarding us a clear handball penalty before changing his mind for no reason.

Don't think Stockport will go up this season, but I think next season they will be alot closer. Thought they looked a good side to compete for the playoffs, with that crowd behind them at home you can see why they've hammered a few teams once their players get going.

Can't disagree with much of that, agree we won't go up this year. A bit wet behind the ears when it comes to wrestling the fine margins our way.

You say about our home crowd, although our crowds are consistently pretty high, I think our three highest home attendances have been our three home defeats so far.

You guys will go up. I'm not going to lie and say it's because I was impressed with you, which you'll understand isn't bitterness having watched the game. But the points you've already amassed and the general momentum "it's going for us" that will only be re-inforced after a game like that. I mean you'll probably win the league too but top three is nailed on you'd think.

 

[Kendalcufc]

No I forgot that we’re a league 2 club. Fuck sake What kind of a question is that?

In my opinion from the Dennis goal to the Guy goal, we didn’t play well at all. If you disagree that’s fine, but no need for the patronising “you do realise” question.

Ok if we’re talking the wide scheme of football and comparing every performance in history from all levels we’ve been at, then I suppose you could say it wasn’t a terrible 60 minutes. But in terms of this season I’d put that 60 minutes down as one of our poorest displays. We could barely string two passes together for most of it. Our formation changed about 3 times in that 60 minutes because we weren’t getting to grips with the game at all.

For balance I’d put the last 30 minutes up there with our best this season. But going on the logic you’ve hit me with, maybe I can’t say it was brilliant 30 minute display because I’ve seen much better Carlisle teams in the league above.

Fair enough, solid reply.

You're text most of the time reads like you have unrealistic expectations of the standards of league two football and the general inconsistencies involved.

Enjoy the ride. Tone down the unnecessary negative language. Its not good for the health and its not in tune with what's generally happening on the pitch.

There's a touch of magic following Carlisle United currently, a feeling that's not been felt for a long time. We're far from perfect but the positives outweigh the negatives at the moment.

 

[Boz]

No argument with the result or Simeu’s stupidity in picking up a red card after half an hour. However Wimbledon aided by a weak rookie referee, who in Mellon’s words wasted more time than the players showed a mastery of the dark arts that the old Crazy Gany would have been proud of.

 

[BarrieOwl]

Some meltdown on Stagsnet

 

[Bone Idle]

Did'nt think i would see a team worse than colchester this season!! but Gillingham made them look like citeh, 2-0 in the end but for our woefull finishing and that useless twat Bogle it should have been a cricket score.

 

[Sestonpoolie]

Hartlepool need a new goalkeeper if they are going to stay up. That guy looks like a “be a goalkeeper for the day” competition winner.

Every player we have has won some kind of competition to be a pro footballer.

 

[chipmunx]

Every player we have has won some kind of competition to be a pro footballer.

I thought Sylla had a good 2nd half;- I don't know what he's been like in other games, but he looked one of your better players. As for Killip, well your fans have been saying he's got a mistake in him since we were both in the NL...

 

[chipmunx]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1594349779030806528

 

[EricSabin]

You're not the first side to save their best performance of the season for Valley Parade - I must've heard that comment four or five times already this season.

As Wilsden says there was nothing in the game for the first half hour and we even should've took the lead. Then we hit the self destruct button and capitulated. The lack of discipline in the second half was appaling with the amount of times you countered on us and did so pretty easily.

It's clear that teams raise their game when they come here but for whatever reason we don't raise our own game and end up being very lacklustre and disjointed. The difference between our home and away performances are staggering and we generally look like relegation fodder at home. I just don't get it.

Performances had dropped through our period of injuries and suspensions so two free midweeks have really breathed life into the squad and our last two performances have been excellent.

Watched the extended highlights and you couldn’t have complained if it had finished 6 or 7 really. Smallwood looked really susceptible to the press yesterday and it looks like we just ran all over you.

 

[Luke Imp]

How have Gillingham only scored 6 goals in 18?!

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Performances had dropped through our period of injuries and suspensions so two free midweeks have really breathed life into the squad and our last two performances have been excellent.

Watched the extended highlights and you couldn’t have complained if it had finished 6 or 7 really. Smallwood looked really susceptible to the press yesterday and it looks like we just ran all over you.

High energy teams like Stockport as well walk over us well have no legs in midfield, which shows how bad this league is as only 3 teams have exploited it. I don’t count the Colchester loss as it’s the only loss we’ve had which we should have got something from the game. That said we still had an equal amount of opportunities but Chapman and Banks made them look harder than they were.

 

[Spanishstag]

Some meltdown on Stagsnet

Lots fed up of cloughs (utility players )wait till next week when we win

 

[EricSabin]

How have Gillingham only scored 6 goals in 18?!

They're shit

 

[Chief Rocka]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1594349779030806528

How doesn't the keeper save that, straight down his neck.

Oh aye it's cos he's shit.

 

[chipmunx]

How doesn't the keeper save that, straight down his neck.

Oh aye it's cos he's shit.

He appears to be playing in goals for Qatar today

 

[Monkey Tennis]

How have Gillingham only scored 6 goals in 18?!

How are they not cut adrift at the bottom?!

 

[RiftHouseLad]

How are they not cut adrift at the bottom?!

Cause we are more shitier

 

[Claret Forever]

I have absolutely no idea how we still have McWilliams. The most consistant ball winning player we have had in the last 20 years and is now becoming a complete midfielder.

I guess the answer to that is that the only team I know that's ever shown any concrete interest was Stevenage in the summer. He is getting better and evolving into something more than just a ball winning workhorse, but his injury record will still put people off.

It's good that are better players, Hoskins, McWilliams, Guthrie, Pinnock and even Maglorie are tied down on long contracts now. No losing key players this summer without big fees.

Not the complete performance, Bradford seem to bottle it after the goal as the game was a real back and forth thing until the goal went in. And, maintain the sloppy defensive discipline to still concede at the end, Hoskins must have been fuming about us giving away the pointless penalty for Cook to draw level with him.

 

[MWS]

Frustrating result against Orient. a draw would have been fairer but given the run of form i said before the game i wouldn't mind a defeat as long as it was in the right manner which this very much was. We controlled the game for large patches and had twice the number if shots on goal, just didn't manage to finish them off.

I'm confident if we carry on in a similar vein we will be there or there abouts in the play off spots come May.

 

[PuB]

Not going to start a new match thread cos it’s only us playing Crawley tonight. We’re starting with a very promising youngster upfront (Gbode) alongside Mandron, hoping he can have at least a little impact, a goal in his first start would be a dream.

 

[shoddycollins]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1594307453989969922

 

[CTFC - Devils]

Not going to start a new match thread cos it’s only us playing Crawley tonight. We’re starting with a very promising youngster upfront (Gbode) alongside Mandron, hoping he can have at least a little impact, a goal in his first start would be a dream.

First 40 mins has been atrocious. What’s concerning for us is that your style of play usually suits us and we have done absolutely nothing

 

[shoddycollins]

Good advert for league Two football tonight then?