Carlisle United vs Bromley preview
From league leaders to bottom of the table.
Bromley travel to Carlisle United today with the Cumbrians at real risk of falling through the trap door to the National League.
Having given former manager Mike Williamson all of the transfer window to freshen up his stuttering Carlisle side, signing 14 players in the process, the Cumbrians sacked him as soon as the transfer window closed.
Mark Hughes was parachuted into the job on February 6th, and since his arrival, he has made Carlisle a little more robust. They may only have won one of Hughes’ eight games in charge, but they have drawn three, and their defeats have often only been by a single goal.
The clear issue, one that has plagued them all season, is the lack of goals. Only four have been scored in Hughes’ nascent tenure, and the Cumbrians have notched a paltry 26 league goals this season.
One way they have tried to resolve that is with the signing of former MK Dons striker Matthew Dennis on a short-term contract. He currently has two goals in his six games. But it is going to take more than that to save Carlisle’s season.
Nine points from safety with ten games to go, the winning run simply has to start today and Mark Hughes knows that.
Carlisle have only won two of their eighteen games at Brunton Park, so it won’t take much for the home fans to get the feeling that it isn’t going to be their day once again. But that doesn't mean Bromley can expect to turn up and have it all their own way.
Two weeks ago, Bromley travelled to Tranmere Rovers, another basement dweller, and weren’t at the races. They were promptly turned over by a side fighting for their Football League lives. Anything less than 100% today and the same will happen again.
For those who care, I went on The Brunton Bugle Podcast to talk about the game. You can listen back here: AFC Wimbledon (H) Review and Bromley (H) Preview - Season 24/25, Episode 58 - The Brunton Bugle - A Carlisle United Podcast | Acast
Bromley haven’t played a competitive league fixture in nine days, and players were given the weekend off to recharge batteries after a hectic schedule that included playing four of the top five in quick succession.
Andy Woodman believed that during an unforgiving football calendar that rarely gives you a moment to switch off and recover, it was critical for his players to hit the last stretch in top condition.
This makes it hard to know who will play today, as some of the players who were carrying knocks may be back to full fitness and recharged mentally and physically. It should also mean that Andy has the luxury of picking for the opposition rather than just who he can get out on the park.
Against Walsall, Bromley took the game to the Saddlers and caught them off guard. I would encourage the same against Carlisle. I'm not convinced Bromley need to play safety-first football just because they’re away from home.
As long as they stay true to their principles of being disciplined out of possession, they should try to dominate the ball in a way they normally wouldn’t do away from home.
I remind you, Carlisle need a win. Bromley should set up to take advantage of the spaces they leave as they try to chase it.
Enter Harry McKirdy, who is persona non grata at Carlisle following some inflammatory comments in the wake of his time with the Cumbrians in the 19/20 season. What odds Carlisle’s enfant terrible has a big say on matters?
For those on Bromley play-off watch, this game is arguably a must-win, so it stands to be a very intriguing encounter.
Here’s what I would do. Do you agree?
From Bromley with Love XI
Smith
Grant Elerewe Webster Mayor
Charles Thompson
McKirdy Whitely Ilunga
Cheek
Please note all match photographs in this article are by Martin Greig - please follow him on Instagram here
All articles are edited by Peter Etherington you can link to him here
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This defeat felt inevitable, just like Tranmere before it. I’m far more confident of a good result against teams near the top than when we face a side that’s struggling. Something we probably need to look at for next season if we wish to break into the top seven.
Could be an underwhelming end to season. Safety in L2 is hopefully assured. But teams fighting for survival may have more desperation to grind out results (like Carlisle). Last week I said maybe missing out on playoffs would be a net positive- if it meant consolidation in L2- should have kept my big mouth shut! 😂