Carlisle United Season Preview: Adams key

In the last two seasons, Carlisle United have gone into New Year as one of the best teams in League Two then suddenly turned into one of the worst. Why has that contrast in form been so stark? Supporter Jack Cousin speaks to the Football Lab ahead of the 17/18 campaign.

It’s quite hard to answer that question. In the 2015-16 season, we obviously had the floods that hit in December so there was maybe a hangover from that. Also, Jabo Ibehre’s goals dried up after Christmas and we simply didn’t score enough. I think we suffered from a lack of depth as well, letting Gary Dicker go without bringing in a replacement was a mistake. Last season was very similar, we lost goals in the shape of Charlie Wyke, key players like Mike Jones and Nicky Adams picked up injuries and we never came close to solving our defensive problems.

22% of your efforts last season were headers, a percentage higher than every team bar Wycombe. Were the limitations in your aerial approach exposed in March’s goalless run?

Possibly. We played some good teams in March but the goalless run was embarrassing. Jamie Proctor wasn’t as good as Wyke was in the air so that would have played a part but he was often played as a lone front man which I don’t think he favoured. Adams hit a bad patch of form and Jones got injured again half-way through March.

Nicky Adams had a good season last year. Is he one of the best wingers in League Two?

Quite simply, yes. Without him last season we could have easily finished bottom half.

Adams signed in late May last year, before many encouraging signings were made over June. Why has recruitment been comparatively so slow this time around?

Curle has explained that making the play-offs gave other teams a two-week head start in recruiting new players. However, I don’t think it’s a case of not trying. It’s public knowledge that Mansfield have signed two players we offered something to. I think Hallam Hope and Kelvin Etuhu were signed a while before they were formally announced but I don’t understand why that would be.

Jabo Ibehre finished last season with five goals in his final six appearances. Are you concerned that new signing Hallam Hope may not have the same natural goalscoring ability?

A bit. I’d be surprised if he did score as many as Jabo did but there’s potential there. Curle has said he’d be mainly used as an out and out striker which is pleasing to here. He was used out wide when on loan with us previously and I think he’s been played out wide at Bury hence why his goal scoring record isn’t brilliant. As much as I wanted Ibehre to stay, he is 34 and has had a couple of injuries. Hope is a lot younger so hopefully it’ll be a good investment.

When midfielders Jason Kennedy and Mike Jones started together last season, you averaged two points per game. Are you glad to have Kelvin Etuhu to come in now when either of them get injured?

Definitely. I’ve touched on it before that we’ve lacked depth in the centre of the park in previous seasons and that has cost us. Kennedy, Jones, Luke Joyce and Etuhu are all good League Two players.

Many feel your back-line needs an overhaul but a lot of the defenders are tied to contracts. Are you concerned that Michael Raynes is the only first team defender who has left?

I wanted Raynes to stay. He had his faults admittedly but was a combative and strong League Two defender and the best of bad bunch here at Carlisle. Ellis had a good season at Forest Green last campaign so he could come back in. I don’t rate Brisley much at all. Parkes is an interesting addition, rated highly at Bristol Rovers but clearly struggled last season at Orient.

Jack Bonham joins on loan from Brentford. Would fans have preferred to sign a goalkeeper to challenge Mark Gillespie, rather than one to replace him?

I’m not sure. I think it was time for Gillespie to go to be honest. He struggled at times last season but has got his move to League One so good luck to him. Gillespie never had proper competition. Dan Hanford two seasons ago wasn’t up to standard and Max Crocombe never forced his way into the team even when Gillespie had made a mistake. We need another goalkeeper to provide competition to Bonham.

What are your thoughts ahead of the League Two season? Any potential dark horses?

I’d say Mansfield and Luton are the two front runners. Crewe and Lincoln could also push for a play-off position. Notts County will have a better season than they did last season as well.

Where will you finish? You said 3rd last summer…

I haven’t made my final predictions yet but I’ll say 7th for now. Our recruitment isn’t done yet so depending on who else we bring in it could change. Our defence still worries me but we have arguably the best midfield in the league so should be nearer the top than the bottom…I hope.

The Football Lab’s Verdict

After Carlisle blew their promotion chances due to poor 2017 form, they needed to act quicker this summer. While a midfield led by Adams and Jones will be strong, Ibehre’s exit weakens their attack and Curle is left with largely the same defence that shipped 68 goals. 10th