Let's talk about the Carlisle United game

[Campsall rover]

He definitely looks off the pace since his return. Not match fit I would suggest.

[GazLaz]

Is Maxwell fit? I usually really like him but thought he was poor against Salford and even worse today. Looked like he was really labouring even early on so maybe he’s not in the best condition yet.

Obviously still carrying something. Was miles off his best yesterday. Ambling about.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Yeah he's clearly not fit, looked way off it.

There's a slight worry at the moment in not winning games, realistically we should have won all bar the notts game as we've been pretty good overall until the opposition box. That's a worry but I think it will come.  Perhaps Sbarra needs a run.  I do wonder if the constant team changes are unhelpful too.

[NickDRFC]

Why’s he playing in that case? Nixon looked sharp and we also have Fleming and Senior so it’s not as though we’re short of options. Have the medical team rushed him back or is McCann making the wrong call?

“I do wonder if the constant team changes are unhelpful too.”

Completely agree with this. It’s almost November and I don’t think McCann knows his best team yet which is a concern. I don’t know their first thing about the Carlisle team but it was clear within minutes of coming on that Ironside would have posed more of a problem for them than Sharp. The management team should have known this; it feels like Sharp vs Ironside is decided on a coin flip rather than who would better suit the game. Could be completely wide of the mark there but it’s not the first time that it looks like the wrong one has started.

[sf9944]

Totally understand the argument regarding the chopping and changing.

However I think he is doing this to 'match up' the opponents. Horses for courses.

Also everyone contributing is good for squad togetherness and will pay off later in the season imo.  Pklayers playing their first game twenty games into the season and only then because of injury to a teammate is not ideal. Pretty much all of our squad is up to speed and match fit.

[ForsolongaRover]

Looking at the extended highlights, there was a noticeable lack of endeavour in the first half compared with the second. In the modern game with the use of substitutes this seems completely unacceptable. What was featured showed that we almost allowed Carlisle to dominate. 

[Campsall rover]

Looking at the extended highlights, there was a noticeable lack of endeavour in the first half compared with the second. In the modern game with the use of substitutes this seems completely unacceptable. What was featured showed that we almost allowed Carlisle to dominate.

We were the better team. 1st half not much created but Billy did have a great chance to score.
We dominated the 2nd half and once again we let 2 points escape us. Their Keeper did make 2 very good saves but we are still not ruthless enough and Kelly needs to start taking responsibility when presented with a golden chance of scoring himself. He does the hard work but time after time he is very reluctant to shoot.
Another game we really should have won. Yes Carlisle had a couple of good opportunities but they were created by our mistakes and not their own creativity.

[graingrover]

There were two outstanding performances yesterday TSL and J Olowu .They all played well in the second half and good goalkeeping from the young Carlisle keeper kept us out with two magnificent saves from Hurst and Gibson .
Carlisle were much better than I thought they would be from their position in the league and will surely soon get up the table .

[danumdon]

There were two outstanding performances yesterday TSL and J Olowu .They all played well in the second half and good goalkeeping from the young Carlisle keeper kept us out with two magnificent saves from Hurst and Gibson .
Carlisle were much better than I thought they would be from their position in the league and will surely soon get up the table .

TSL and Olowu had very good games, Olowu has looked very controlled, composed and secure, his pace is invaluably and he's now starting to demonstrate what we all thought we saw in him previously.

TSL is proving to be a sound keeper, has made steady and unspectacular progress throughout the season and at the end of this game pulled of a very fine save to keep us in the match.

This match looks like its now  following a sequence of games. We are starting slow and building into games, the chances are being created but we seem very reluctant to take on first time shots, when we do they are speculative and wild. With better composure and sharper finishing we would of won all the last three matches, we need to capitalise on these opening and take our chances.

The difference between auto and playoffs is right there. Mental strength needs working on to improve and we need to be far more ruthless in front of goal.

[GazLaz]

Looking at the extended highlights, there was a noticeable lack of endeavour in the first half compared with the second. In the modern game with the use of substitutes this seems completely unacceptable. What was featured showed that we almost allowed Carlisle to dominate. 

If we don’t play at a high tempo we look pretty ordinary. It’s not a case of not trying by the players but just a case of needing to speed thing up.

[ncRover]

There were two outstanding performances yesterday TSL and J Olowu .They all played well in the second half and good goalkeeping from the young Carlisle keeper kept us out with two magnificent saves from Hurst and Gibson .
Carlisle were much better than I thought they would be from their position in the league and will surely soon get up the table .

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Jack Senior. He's often overlooked when he plays well.
I've watched the full match replay over the last few days and he was an absolute warrior. He looks to have improved in his attacking play also.
Our defence is currently the strongest part of the team.