A heavy defeat it may have been, but I came away from Millmoor with a little new found optimism.
Although Rotherham tore us apart in the air, at the back, there was sufficient evidence of better movement up front, to suggest that more goals are to come in the rest of the games to the end of the season.
Luke Weaver may have made a difference to the defence, in which Shaun Teale, worked as hard as anyone. However Leo Fortune-West was too much to handle especially after the abuse thrown at him by our fans, in terms of his sexuality. I think our fans made a mistake winding him up and played right into his hands.
Halliday had a good debut, causing plenty of problems for Rotherham, holding the ball up particularly well on occasions. That was a refreshing change for a Carlisle forward.
McKinnon also did quite well put lacks fitness and is overwight. Further games will help him. Surprisingly Durnin was played up front, as an out and out striker, when his best games have come in midfield where he looks a different class.
Rotherham always looked dangerous going forward, where their midfield won most of the battles, but they are top of the league and were at home. Overall I feel that we are capable of picking some points up with the introduction of these new players. Let's hope it starts with Shrewsbury next week.
Incidentally, the local papers gave Hartlepool a torrid time following their home trouncing by Macclesfield. Apparently they were appalling. Maybe Tuesday night might not be over yet.
Mike Corry
1) Weaver wasnt in... Keen was..
i think that says it all really. keen was apalling and made no saves of any note. the first goal he didn't get down for the second was a spawny sliced shot that went over him cos hes too small and for the others he was rooted to his line.
never mind its his best game yet he only conceded 4 goals today. anyhow what did anyone expect to happen when the carlisle fans were throwing constant unwarranted abuse at fortune west.
the frustrating thing was that we did play well. we scored 2 good goals against a rotherham defence that is one of the best in the division. all the new players did well. mckinnon got injured when he went in on their keeper. it was a bad challenge but when durnin had a go at the keeper the goalie was lazarus and sprung back to life. durnin was then booked for dissent to their keeper. dobie had a good game as well. linking up nicely. halliday took his goal well and had some good jinxy touched
anyhow it was plainly obvious that rotherham would score when they needed to, ie 5 minutes after we scored.
how long is weaver out for??
maybe we need to sacrifice our last loan for a half decent goalie otherwise we could throw away points over the next few weeks
Chris Kearton
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