Looking at the current state of the Blues’ squad and what areas i think they most need to improve upon.
Following the reveal of Carlisle United’s released and retained lists after the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, I thought i would take a look at all areas of the squad and where I personally believe the team is in most need of improvement or depth. Mark Hughes has officially been announced to be staying on ahead of the Blues’ first season out of the Football League since 2004/05
Combined with the appointment of Marc Tierney as the club’s Head of Football Operations, the rebuild will soon be underway to attempt to return to the EFL at the first time of asking. So, let’s look at the squad and what needs done to it…
(This list does not include newly graduated academy players, as i feel it’s unfair to judge them at the moment)
GOALKEEPERS
Contracted players in this position – Gabe Breeze, Harry Lewis, Jude Smith
The goalkeeper position at Carlisle has been one of a pretty big debate over the last two or three seasons, and it is one that has been nailed down currently by 21 year old homegrown talent Gabriel Breeze. Breeze has made the position his own since coming in for Harry Lewis during the course of last season, and has had many impressive performances between the sticks since then, including making over 15 saves in the Blues’ 2-1 loss away to Chesterfield, and saving a late penalty to give Carlisle a 3-2 win over now promoted Port Vale.
Breeze has had his critics due to his poor distribution and occasionally struggling to command his area, however I believe that he’s still the right man for the role next season, it remains to be seen whether he will remain at the club however, with rumoured interest from higher division sides.
Behind him, I would like to see a signing brought in for stiffer competiton for Breeze to really challenge him for that number 1 position, Lewis has made countless errors since his signing from Bradford in January 2024, and has shown no sign of making his way back into the side, as for third choice Jude Smith, he has yet to make an appearance for the Blues, which tells me he should probably also be moved on.
DEFENCE
Contracted players in this area: Archie Davies, Cameron Harper, Aaron Hayden, Jack Ellis, Josh Williams, Terrell Thomas
The backline has been arguably the most troubled area for the Cumbrians in the last year, with the club struggling to keep clean sheets and shipping 71 goals in the league last season. The side’s record especially dipped towards the end of the year, when Mark Hughes’ change to a back 4 showed many of the players’ vulnerabilities that bit more.
At right back, we have Archie Davies, Jack Ellis and Josh Williams (Williams was mainly deployed as a wing back in his limited appearances before his injury). For me personally, these three offer different things to the side and all have their own drawbacks.
Davies is a technically gifted player, capable of taking on a man and being a big part of attacking moves in the final third, however he lacks tenacity when defending his own goal and is often caught out of position. Jack Ellis is another 21 year old academy graduate who looks generally very comfortable with the defensive side of the game, and is also capable of playing at centre back, however he arguably lets himself down when pushing forward, hesitating in key crossing moments and not being the best passer of the ball. Josh Williams is a player with bags of pace, however he suffers the same defensive susceptibilities as Davies, and for me personally, should be utilised as more of a winger going forward. Personally i don’t think this area requires too much focus, as Davies and Ellis should have the attributes between them to work in most scenarios in the National League next season, while Williams should be used higher up on the field.
At left back, we only have Cameron Harper who is a natural there. (With Jack Ellis having filled in quite well a few times) Harper is a frustrating player, occasionally showing signs of real quality, however probably slightly more often, showing signs of a lack of it, with wayward passes, getting caught too narrow when defending, and letting himself down with his crosses into the box. For me, we definitely need to look at bringing in another left back to at least challenge Harper, and preferably improve the position as his own.
Finally, at centre back, we have Terrell Thomas and Aaron Hayden, who were the club’s regular starting partnership towards the end of last season. For me, this is the area where we desperately need to strengthen, as the partnership was exposed multiple times in games last season. Hayden has lost a couple of yards of pace as a result of his injuries in recent years, and Thomas for me often cuts a figure of someone who thinks he’s better than he is. I think Hayden is the better defender of the two, and is a proven threat from set pieces, Thomas has shown glimpses of quality and he has all the attributes but he is too erratic with his distribution and decision making for me, he has an especially glaring weakness of struggling to deal with balls over the top. I would like to see three new centre backs brought in to supplement this area, with at least two being experienced, solid heads at National League level.
MIDFIELD
Contracted players in this area: Elliot Embleton, Jordan Jones, Will Patching, Ethan Robson, Stephen Wearne, Callum Whelan
Players offered new deals in this area: Kadeem Harris
The midfield area is a tricky one to properly describe for Carlisle at the moment, as a few of the players have shown good amounts of quality, however it’s an area that we will definitely need reinforcements in if we’re to succeed next season.
In the middle, we have Will Patching, Ethan Robson, Stephen Wearne, Elliot Embleton and Callum Whelan. Will Patching is a player who came in with a good bit of hype, after having a positive season for Derry City in the League of Ireland, however despite a few appearances under Mike Williamson, he quickly faded out of the side after reports of poor fitness levels, and didn’t make the matchday squad for the final 12 games of the season. Ethan Robson was signed in the summer, with the Blues hoping he would provide a creative injection in League Two, however injuries and failing to impress led him to being loaned out towards the end of the last campaign.
Stephen Wearne was signed from MK Dons in January, and despite showing signs of promise under Williamson, was initially dropped from Mark Hughes’ lineups, however he played his way back into the side and was one of Carlisle’s more productive players in the final third of the season despite only registering 2 goals and 2 assists. Elliot Embleton is a player that Dan mentioned in his list of players that Carlisle should move on for next season, and i largely agree with him, despite showing occasional bits of quality and impressive set piece deliveries, Embleton has shown horrible body language and has had flashpoints with fans since his January move, all the while failing to produce anything truly substantial on the pitch.
Callum Whelan, on the other hand, has been arguably United’s best signing from the January transfer window, showing real quality in the middle of the park, a technically gifted player who always wants the ball and keeps play ticking along, he was a vital cog in the team’s upturn in form towards the end of the season and will likely be a mainstay in the side in the National League after impressing in the division with Gateshead.
Out wide, we have Jordan Jones and Kadeem Harris (With Wearne, Embleton and Josh Williams also capable of being deployed in this area) with the latter having been offered a new deal, however it remains to be seen whether he will sign. Jones is another who Dan highlighted, and once again i totally agree with him, despite coming in with a lot of hype in the summer transfer window, Jones has failed to register a single goal or assist in League Two and despite also there clearly being a player in there somewhere, has produced far too many overhit crosses, corners hitting the first man and many instances of poor body language, also having confrontations with the fans and is someone who I’d personally be surprised if he’s still here come next season.
Kadeem Harris was picked up on a free transfer in November last season and has been easily one of Carlisle’s most exciting players, probably the best player on the ball at the whole club, he proved a nightmare for many full backs to handle last year, despite often being wasted at wing back by Mike Williamson. Where Harris lets himself down is his end product, with poor finishing and final ball really preventing him from hitting that next level, with that said, i would be surprised if Harris remains at the club next season, as i’m sure many L2 sides would love to have him in the squad.
So, for me in this area, I would like to see at least two to three new central midfielders brought in, with at least one being a strong, physical tackler in the middle, which would allow Whelan to pull the strings like he does best, out wide, with Harris more than likely to leave, I would also like to see two to three new faces brought in, capable of creating real chances for our forward line next year, as well as Josh Williams being moved into a more forward role to make more use of his pace.
STRIKERS
Players contracted in this area: Luke Armstrong, Charlie Wyke, Georgie Kelly, Cedwyn Scott
Players offered a new deal in this area: Matthew Dennis
Up front has been a position that the Blues have really struggled in ever since the club’s promotion to League One, with no player really holding down a place and producing goals, with players such as Ryan Edmondson, Joe Garner and Dan Adu-Adjeyi all coming and going, no man has really made that position his own.
Luke Armstrong was signed in January of last season for a sizeable fee from Harrogate Town, with a lot of expectations due to his work rate and physical presence, however a lack of service and support often led him to being a frustrated figure on the pitch for large parts of both last and this season, he fell out of favour with Mike Williamson after the signings of Joe Hugill and Cedwyn Scott and was loaned out to Motherwell for the remainder of the season. I personally believe there is still a chance for Armstrong to be a success at Carlisle, with him having all the attributes to thrive in a Mark Hughes side, whether he’s capable of showing the consistency to make that happen remains to be seen.
Carlisle fans were over the moon when it was announced that Charlie Wyke was returning to the club in the summer, however things haven’t worked out so far for either side, with Wyke spurning a few great chances in games towards the start of the season before suffering a broken leg against Cheltenham. I’m unsure as to what is in the future for Wyke, as such a nasty injury is hard to come back from, especially with him showing signs of slowing down before the break. However, everyone is aware of the quality Wyke possesses, and if he can make a positive return then he is more than caapble of being a success next season in the National League.
Matthew Dennis was signed on a short term deal in Februrary of last season, and despite initially struggling to impress, he was eventually a mainstay of Mark Hughes’ side up front and chipped in with plenty of important goals which gave the club a fighting chance of survival, a physical player who is always a handful for defences, he could very well be a big player for the side should he decide to sign a new contract.
Cedwyn Scott made his return to the club in January of last season from Notts County following a mental health break from football, and despite scoring in a 2-1 win away to Fleetwood early on in his return, he eventually faded out of the side, clearly not in Mark Hughes’ plans, with him reportedly not showing enough in training and not even attending most matches with the squad. By all means, i hope this is not another mental health lapse for Cedwyn, however if he is not able to get himself back to where he needs to be, unfortunately i struggle to see his Carlisle career going much further.
Finally, Georgie Kelly was signed from Rotherham in January of last season, with a reputation as being a fantastic finisher. Despite showing signs of being a good player, his Carlisle career has been absolutely plagued with injuries over the last two seasons, with him only making 25 appearances since his move, many of which being off the bench. However, a return to fitness towards the end of last season saw Kelly flourish, scoring 5 goals in the final 6 games of the season, really showing how much Carlisle had been missing a proper number 9, with his hold up play and physical presence up front also being incredibly impressive. Should Kelly be able to stay fit and the club make the right additions arround him, he has the potential to score plenty for Carlisle next season.
All in all, i think Carlisle are in a relatively decent place up top for next season, however with question marks over all five men for various reasons, whether it be ability, form or fitness, i would potentially like to see another addition in this area, Dan has highlighted the likes of Ollie Pearce and Regan Linney as potential signigns to bolster our firepower, both of which are proven scorers at this level. I would like to see someone with a good bit of pace brought in, to compliment our current forward line which is largely comprised of strong, physical players.
Regardless of what happens, and who comes in, goes out, or stays, we need to get behind the side and Mark Hughes as much as possible with the full belief that we’re capable of returning to League Two.
Thank you for reading Paddock Perception and feel free to let us know what you thought of this article, you can follow myself and Dan on X below:
@dan_batemannn
@CraigWL1997
Paddock Perception 
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