Category: National League

With everyone eagerly awaiting the Carlisle United retained and released list I wanted to look at four current players that should be staying at Brunton Park and whom Mark Hughes can build a team around for next season in the National League.

I previously wrote an article picking four players to bring in this summer but I think there are some players in this current squad with the quality to perform at National League level and Mark Hughes can get the best out of.

Some players such as Gabe Breeze and Kadeem Harris aren’t in my list of four because I think they will be moving on to clubs in the football league.

Callum Whelan – Midfielder

Whelan since his arrival from Gateshead has shown some signs of real quality. He’s great on the ball and can find a pass, he also has an eye for goal and can create from deep. He has bags of non-league experience having played for Gateshead, Oldham and Solihull Moors. Hughes will need someone with his creative spark to create for our forwards next season.

Stephen Wearne – Midfielder

Wearne has proven since he has came in to the side that he can be relied on and has an eye for goal. He’s created and scored goals in a side that was struggling to do both which is very impressive. He also has valuable non-league experience having played for Gateshead and Torquay. His goal contributions next season could be the difference between mid-table and play-offs.

Archie Davies – Defender

Davies was one of Carlisle’s more consistent performers last season despite being injured for large parts. He can defend his box well but also can attack and create when going forward. He has non-league experience having played for Aldershot and if he can stay fit will be a mainstay in this side next season under Mark Hughes.

Georgie Kelly – Striker

I was undecided on Kelly because of his injury record but his form back end of the season and the goals he scored has shown me what he’s capable of when he’s fit and gets the right service. If he can stay fit and the team continue to provide him with chances he will score goals. His record with injury is a worry but he has shown wherever he has played that if he gets a run of games he knows how to put the ball in the back of the net. Defiantly worth taking that chance.

There are a couple of others that I wouldn’t mind seeing stay such as Aaron Hayden and Jack Ellis but other than that I think the majority of the squad needs a huge overhaul due to dreadful recruitment over recent years.

Please let me know what you all think of this latest Paddock Perception article. Thanks for reading everyone!

Since Carlisle United’s relegation to the National League was confirmed a number of weeks ago I have been saying that this summer is huge and maybe the most important in the club’s history. The club needs a complete overhaul on and off the pitch.

The club are currently trying to tie manager Mark Hughes down to a new deal while looking for a director of football. On the pitch we are all eagerly awaiting the retained and released list that should be due any day now so we can see where the club need to focus when recruiting this summer.

Today I’m going to look at four players with National League pedigree which I think is essential this summer that could transform this Carlisle United side.

Regan Linney – Altrincham

Regan Linney is a proven goal scorer in non-league football. He has scored goals for every club he’s played for and first caught my eye at FC United of Manchester. His work ethic off the ball and ability to stretch defences is a great attribute and he can score a multitude of different types of goals. This season he has scored 23 times and is one of the main reasons Altrincham only narrowly missed out on the play-offs.

Ben Goodliffe – Southend Utd

With Terell Thomas and Sam Lavelle likely to leave this summer I think a big strong centre-back or two is certainly needed. Goodliffe has plenty of experience in the lower leagues and has been excellent for Southend since joining from Colchester. Southend are in the play-offs but if they don’t go up I would definitely take a look at him if I was recruiting for Carlisle.

Toby Savin – Halifax Town

Savin is one of the standout goalkeepers in this league and is highly thought of at Halifax. If Halifax don’t go up through the play offs Savin could be a replacement for Gabe Breeze who will probably want to stay in the football league. Savin is on loan at Halifax from Shrewsbury so it could be a difficult deal to do but if Halifax don’t go up and with Shrewsbury being related to League Two there could be potential for a deal to be done.

Nick Haughton – AFC Fylde

Haughton is one of most talented players in the league in my opinion and has consistently performed to a high standard even in a struggling team. His last four seasons he has scored lots of goals (19,18,26,26). He creates from midfield and can add a cutting edge to Carlisle’s attack. Fylde have just been relegated to the National League North as well so Carlisle could potentially get this deal done quite easily you would imagine if both parties were interested.

I have more players that I think would be a good fit for Carlisle from the National League but I want to see who gets promoted out of the play-offs first but I could potentially do another article on this after the National League season concludes.

Myself and Craig will be writing articles over the summer and next season covering everything Carlisle United and we hope you enjoy Paddock Perception going forward. Thanks everyone!