On Saturday at Brunton Park, Carlisle United blew a 3-1 lead against Boreham Wood and defensively there was a lot left to be desired. Boreham Wood attackers were left unmarked on numerous occasions and there were gaping holes in the blues’ defensive line continuously.
Today I’m going to be looking at the players in the back line of Carlisle United and where Mark Hughes should be looking to improve and potentially change ahead of tomorrow night’s match with Solihull Moors.
A Look At The Carlisle United Defence
Jack Ellis at right-back was the best of the four on Saturday and wasn’t at fault for any of the goals, he also played very well against Woking in the opening game and got a brilliant assist for Luke Armstrong.
Ellis does have Archie Davies as competition but I think Ellis’ position in the defence is safe for now and should start against Solihull.
Terell Thomas is a real issue for me, he’s meant to be our captain and has constantly been poor for a prolonged period of time. He constantly berates others around him even when some of it is his own fault. He looked way off the pace against Boreham Wood and was at fault numerous times and made countless mistakes.
I think because he’s captain he probably starts against Solihull tomorrow but if that’s the case he’s extremely lucky to be starting.
Aaron Hayden very much like Thomas looked well off the pace on Saturday and was static at times and you could argue he was at fault for at least one of the goals. I think him and Thomas don’t compliment each other well at all and get caught out for pace a lot of the time.
I think Hayden could be the one that’s changed against Solihull with Bevis Mugabi to come in instead of him.
Cameron Harper at left-back had a dreadful first half against Boreham Wood and is yet to convince me defensively since he joined last summer, technically he’s usually decent but there was misplaced passes and lack of doing the basics on Saturday.
He did improve slightly second half and was a little better but still nowhere near good enough. I think Hughes likes Harper so he might stick with him against Solihull but I think Sam Murray deserves a chance personally.
What Changes Should Be Made?
The first thing I would say is, how are we starting the same back four this season that we got relegated with last season?
Thomas and Hayden need addressing quickly by Mark Hughes with Mugabi a ready made replacement for one and then we need to know when Morgan Feeney will be fit and ready to go because if it’s going to be a long time I’d be tempted to look at Paul Huntington on a free transfer even if it’s just a short term deal.
Harper at left-back is another issue that we seemed to address in the summer by signing Sam Murray from Manchester United but so far Hughes has stuck with Harper but surely Murray has to get his chance very soon and if he doesn’t I would question why he’s not playing and why did we even sign him.
The defence is a massive problem that has plagued Mark Hughes since his arrival at the club and if it isn’t addressed it will keep costing us in the long run, like it has the last two seasons.
The manager needs to show that he won’t tolerate those performances we seen in Saturday and that players will suffer the consequences of costing us a game.
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