Day's dismissal

I have reproduced these statements for the benefit of those fans who do not live in Cumbria, or could not get to the Plymouth game.

Email from Mark Knighton to Steve Smith

Wycombe Wanderers 1 - 4 Carlisle United!

Steve, this may well be one game only, but Mervyn never achieved a result like this away from home during his time with the club! The facts tell their own story - five wins from eighteen games is relegation form. More goals conceded than scored - in total, nineteen points from a possible 54. Is that the mark of a successful manager? Remember, these results stretch back over a number of months, not just six weeks. Another point of interest is the injury situation which supporters have used in Mervyn's defence. The injury situation was no different at the weekend but we still turned in one of a best performances for a number of years!

We understand that supporters were upset with Mervyn's dismissal because he was very well liked. However, when the facts are examined, action had to be taken. It's ironic that some of the supporters who bemoaned his dismissal were, only a three weeks ago, bemoaning United's dreadful home defeat by Northampton and sounding the relegation bell after three weeks of the season, not six!!!

Keep supporting!

The front Line...

Don't, for one minute, underestimate the size of United's achievements over the last seven days.

Following quickly in the wake of Mervyn Day's dismissal, a United side - now under the guidance of David Wilkes and John Halpin - that on Saturday morning stood second from bottom of Division Two, took on a Wycombe side, third from top, and completely and systematically tore them apart to record United's biggest away win for two years.

On Wednesday evening, that same United side travelled to White Hart Lane for a Coca Cola Cup Second Round, First Leg tie with the mighty Tottenham Hotspur - all £50 million-plus of them - and, for large segments of the game made an absolute mockery of both sides respective positions. Just as the doom-mongers were poised with their poison pens to sully the club with more words of criticism, United, unbelievably, went into the half-time interval 2-l up and on their way to one of the best all-round performances this football club has given for more years than most of us would care to remember.

Doesn't sound much like a club in turmoil - as some journalists would happily tell you - does it? Neither, and more importantly, does it reflect the alleged "poor team spirit" that has supposedly suddenly, miraculously materialised overnight at Brunton Park.

Only two games on, it may well be, but the character and resolve demonstrated by the players over those two games has had the critics eating the proverbial humble pie. And long may it continue! The support given by United's travelling army at both Wycombe and Tottenham was once again outstanding and it is that kind of backing that the players really respond to, appreciate and deserve. Once again, you travelled in numbers and once again the home support was left conspicuous by their silence in comparison.

However, one point of disappointment and dismay was the unnecessary chanting of Mervyn Day's name, particularly during Wednesday's encounter. Rightfully, this drew words of criticism from some of the United players, who were otherwise elated at the vocal backing provided, and some have asked Blues Review to issue a plea to cease this kind of chanting.

It is accepted that some fans who participated in these chants were merely registering their respect for Mervyn and are not directly intending to cause any annoyance or upset towards the present coaching staff or squad. Yet, we would ask that you primarily consider not only the players who have to get on with their job out on the park, but also to David Wilkes and John Halpin. both of whom are experiencing top level coaching for the first time in their careers - a task which is not helped where their achievements over the last two games appear to be forgotten in favour of chants for a former manager.

We would all hope that United can continue their current run of good form this afternoon and for the upcoming weeks. It would be terribly sad if that is how long it would take before a certain element (a minority) of United's support will accept what has happened has happened and to direct their energies and backing to those who most need it right now - David, John, Michael Knighton and the players. It is they who, after all, all our hopes hang on at present. Enjoy the game.

Michael Knighton

It is always difficult to go into great detail as to why a decision is taken to part company with a team manager. It is certainly not my intention to go into every facet here, as that would not be right or proper to either party.

However, if you take a glance at the last eighteen League games, the statistics tell a very clear story. A mere five wins from those eighteen games gaining only 19 points from a possible 54 - is a sequence that simply could not be allowed to continue. Nine - half of those eighteen games ended in defeat.

I am not easily fooled by the constant noises of "Not enough players", "Too many injuries", "Need a six-foot-four front player" "We don't know whether the squad's good enough until everyone is fit", "No money" etc. etc... The facts belie such claims.

The statistics illustrated on this page make it clear that the 5-3-2 system that Mervyn Day adopted was simply not working.

I am somewhat puzzled by Mervyn's claim that I never registered my concern over such tactics. Indeed, I vividly recall going into his office after the Hereford game at Brunton Park last season - a game in which we were 2-0 up at half-time, only to lose 3-2 at full-time - with all the coaches present Mervyn Day, Joe Joyce, Peter Hampton and David Wilkes - and, in no uncertain terms, stated that the 5-3-2 system had to change and team selection must be re-addressed if we were to stand any chance of halting a very disappointing pattern of result. Some time on from that, it is very clear that the 5-3-2 system continued to be employed and that the advice given went unheeded, resulting in our very poor start to the new term.

Injuries cannot be held up as a credible line for defense. While they undoubtedly did not help in team selection, it is worth noting that the majority of our injuries this season have been in the forward department. Under Mervyn Day's 5-3-2 system, only two forwards could be played at any one time. Matt Jansen would always be included as one of those two forwards on merit, so, in fact, along with Rory Delap, Mervyn otherwise had his 'first choice' side out over the last few weeks.

It is also worth noting that the injury situation was exactly the same as it has been all season last Saturday, but, with a further addition to the injury list in Dean Walling, and employing a different formation, United pulled off their biggest away win for two years with a shoreline that could have easily been doubled such was the emphatic nature of the performance.

Obviously, we were deeply saddened to lose Mervyn and we thank him unreservedly for his efforts over the four years he has been with the club, but a decision had to be made for the benefit of the club as a whole and that is what both myself and the Board of Directors at Carlisle United Football Club are here to do. I would also like to reiterate that Mervyn Day was dismissed because of results over an eighteen-match period, not six, as certain journalists have been fond of telling you.

I would ask that you judge these changes by the results over the coming months, paying particularly close attention to the style and formation of the team and judge for yourself as to whether the squad or injuries have played a part in our disappointing start to the season.

We would also ask you, on behalf of the team, to continue with your magnificent backing as was so evident during last Saturday's game at Wycombe.

Enjoy the game.

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