March - in like a lion, and out like a lamb. Well, hopefully we can see some lion-esque performances from our players this month. To say that our performances have been patchy this season is an understatement.
It was my birthday last month - 42. The answer to the meaning of Life, the Universe and Everything. Unfortunately we haven't been seeing many answers in Carlisle shirts of late, merely many questions. That also includes the bosses. We hear many things coming from Brunton Park, both via official channels and the rumour mill. However, on-field and off-field there are frequent examples of poor performances. Last season the club repeatedly messed up with ticket sales, advertising and general news. This season doesn't seem to be much better. Yes, I know - it is hard to run a business. Simply making the club appear professional seems to be beyond our club at times. If I'm at the ground more than one hour before kick-off, why do I have to wait until after the match to buy an away ticket? In Valen's Name, it is never that busy at that time!
I've always said that any manager must have a full season (not part of one, and part of the next) to prove themself, and that applies now to Abbott as much as it did with Ward. However, with every rule there are exceptions. Ward seemed to completely lose the plot during his last few weeks with us and perhaps it was the right thing to let him go. As is always the case, we ''The Fans'' will never know all the details. The current regime has picked up those tattered reins and must now consolidate and try to at least achieve a mid-table position at the end of the season. This should be achievable with our current squad. Ben Williams is improving in goal for us, as I suspected he would. However, there are worrying defensive mistakes and an inability for us to score goals at times. If these are not fixed soon, we could yet see ourselves in a more precarious position at the end of the season. I remain hopeful, though, that we will see out a quiet mid-table finish to this season, allowing us to build for another good season in Tier 3 next term.
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