This performance was nothing short of diabolical. After the great performance on Tuesday night against Wigan, it was hard to believe this was the same team.
The players will need to look at themselves closely in the mirror this morning because repeats of this performance will see the Blues in the Conference next season. With all the other results going against us the alarm bells are now truly ringing.
The performance was made all the more unacceptable through being beaten by a very mediocre side, in Mansfield, who were head and shoulders above us. Our performance was totally lacking in any strategy or cohesion, resulting in a team of headless chickens chasing the ball and the opposition all afternoon.
The only players to come out with any merit were Luke Weaver (one save in the second half, defending the Warwick, was superb), Graham Anthony (for at least getting some passing to feet) and in patches Damon Searle (with some good runs down the left).
In the 90 minutes we hardly created a chance and God only knows why Wilkinson and Baker think Tracey is worth playing week in week out. He was again totally ineffective leaving Scott Dobie trying to do everything himself (this of course might have something to do with Dobie's reluctance to pass to anybody who is in a better position than him !!)
Ironically Carlisle didn't play too badly at the back but Barr's error giving away the first goal and a free header for their second blotted a reasonable performance.
The real problem was getting forward with any sustained pressure. Playing the ball up to Tracey is like passing to the opposition. He is incapable of holding the ball up or turning and taking on a defender to create space for someone else. He makes Ian Arnold look like a world beater !!
Tracey was taken off with about 30 minutes to go but crowd favourite, Paul Harries hardly got into the game.
Cries of "You don't know what you're doing" greeted Graham Anthony's withdrawal for Peter Clarke with 20 minutes left. I am inclined to agree. There were strong rumours in the Beehive that Brookes Mileson has done the deal with Knighton. We can only hope.
| Weaver | 7 | Sound performance, not to blame for either goal |
| Pitts | 6 | Got forward well on occasions |
| Bowman | 5 | Lacklustre performance |
| Reid | 6 | Fairly solid, caught out of position a couple of times |
| Barr | 5 | Bad mistake again, giving away the first goal |
| Searle | 6 | Looked good going forward early on but faded away |
| Prokas | 6 | Battled as ever but not particularly effective |
| Anthony | 7 | The only player to show any real class on occasions, but not often enough |
| Soley | 5 | Never got to grips with the game |
| Tracey | 4 | Words fail me |
| Dobie | 6 | Flattered to deceive. Nothing he tried seemed to come off, but he did try |
| Subs: | ||
| Harries | 5 | Came on for Tracey but never got into the game |
| Clarke | 5 | came on for Anthony but fairly ineffective |
| Baker, Hopper and Gregory not used |
p.s.
There is an article on Luke Weaver in the Sunday Sun. He says he would like
to play for AC Milan one day but first he needs to help Carlisle stave off
relegation this season. He also thinks that Carlisle will be chasing the top
spot next season. He didn't say whether that was the Third Division or the
Conference !!
Mike Corry
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