The Voice - Match preview #25: Carlisle United vs Bradford City Saturday 18th January 2025 12:30pm

Walker has been in for a bit of flak recently and rightly so,but let's give him the plaudits for the super save to prevent Carlisle equalising. Halliday looked a bit rusty and got caught in possession a few times. Central defenders did what they had to do. Richards epitomises everything a fan wants to see,total commitment and kept pushing forward. Sarcevic looked leggy and dare I say a bit heavy!
Pattinson has energy to burn and Pointon worked hard on the left. Pleased for Kavanagh although he'd run his race far earlier than when he was subbed.
We'll play better and lose but these are the games promoted teams win.
Next week will send out a big statement if we could grab the three points.

 

32

 

I think the problem for Smallwood is that he's the last line of midfield defence and will often observe that it's him against two or three opponents as our wingbacks are in an attacking position. Then what he does is defined by which players makes it possible for him to make a good pass. So it's been noticeable that since Patto and Sarc have re-entered the he's looked better, because they have the skill to get into better receiving positions.

I'm also going to declare that I've now made up for my Matthew Bates loyalty . I was declaring that Richards looked a good player last season. Clearly there were fitness issues, that GA has helped him resolve.

I realise that it's taken about 50 years for me to make a correct prediction - but every clock is correct twice per day

 

I'm all over the place with this


We took 19 out of the last 7 games last season

And now 41 out of 25 this season

So it is 60, but yes out of 32 matches.

Thank-you!!

 

Yes I agree with Pattison and Sarcevic he has looked more comfortable, don't we have anyone that we could rotate with regards free kicks, very frustrating at times, more so when Cook was available and such a great header of a ball.

 

I agree they beat Accrington last home match and were very unlucky at Crewe when the new players gel they will be alright but in the long run their managers style of football doesn’t suit league two

 

Half time after first half

Other than last 10 minutes we were lethargic . Patto knocked of balance but still should have put it away . Was Bobby asleep for that Kav cross ?

They only look at threat so far at set pieces . One or two of theirs look like they are blowing out of their rear end ?

Full time. Second 45.
Most had 5/10 games bar Shepherd a 7 and Pattison 8. Excellent driving runs from him .
We didn’t have to work hard in all honesty

Referee, consistently inconsistent ….Some decent tackles where free kicks given to Carlisle

Them
Oh my oh my were they absolutely shocking. Trying to play that tippy tappy stuff in the middle and hopeful long punts to an isolated Bambi alone up front. That won’t work against hairy arsed defenders . It was mostly 3 of our back line against Bambi. From memory one shot on target all game and well saved by Walker who had a catching session otherwise.

Job done on to next .

 

Lowe starting for Stoke today so I can't see him coming back to Walsall

 

Mine was great for 95 mins, must be local to you .

 

But I would never want to be a spin doctor for the Labour party.

You can't take previous results, from the first half for the season and then use that to set the tone for the rest of the season - because often things change in the January window.

Look at Bristol Rovers who were 15th or so three years ago and ended up 3rd. Or a better example Gillingham two years, who were fighting relegation and then ended up with the most points in the second half of the season.

So I base my opinion of the players they've signed in this window.

Now I agree with you that generally 'tippy tappy' wins you nothing in L2 - but MK Dons took the most points per match, after Williamson took over last season, showing if he can bring some of that to Carlisle with 'his' players, they could survive.

Totally disagree about Sutton in particular - who looked terrible in virtually every match. Including when they beat us.

 

Legend Andy Cook in the away end today with the fans

 

Well Carlisle are on the same points as Sutton at the respective points from both seasons and that's after spending a small fortune in league 2 terms.. We can spin whatever narratives we like here but facts are 18 points from 25 games and 7 points from safety.
I'd categorically say that's the hallmarks of absolutely terrible football side.

 

When Williamson took over MK Dons, they were the best performing L2 team for the rest if the season. Significantly, they already had players who could play he way he wanted (which is why Alexander was sacked - for not playing that way)

So he'll probably get 1.5 points per match out of this team - which should be enough.

 

Final third ?? That must have passed me by especially in second half. Fannying about with it on the halfway line more like?

 

Yep sat in the row behind me.

 

It amazes me how many league two manager make their players try and play it, its not a criticism but first half we made it very difficult for them as we were executing the high press very well, but as the game got into the latter stages its difficult to expect the players who have high pressed for 70 or so minutes keep it up for the last 15/20 minutes that's why IMO with like for like Alexander would/could have brought fresh legs on earlier, Mellon for Kavanagh and Leigh or as he did Johnson for Sarcevic, but a win and clean sheet we shouldn't be too critical.

 

Awful side who have gone shit or bust with literally signing a new side in January. Hope they enjoy the national league.

 

He reminds me of Mc Burnie when he was with us, but on that showing they are playing him totally wrong , isolated and alone upfront. He didn’t beat Shepherd in the air once RT? Not for me.

 

Nearly broke his wrist

 

And scoring I think you'll be correct they need someone who can stick the ball in the net they're too near a relegation fight.