Mark Hughes’ Carlisle United begin their National League campaign tomorrow with a trip to Surrey to take on Neale Ardley’s Woking side.
There has been a lot of debate as to who will start due to a lot of rotation in pre-season but I think the starting eleven against Chester in the final pre-season friendly won’t be far away from the team that starts agains Woking.
GK – Gabe Breeze
Self explanatory, the best goalkeeper at the club and while there has been talk of a move away for Breeze its looks like for now at least he is staying put so he will start in goal against Woking.
RB – Archie Davies
Davies missed a lot of important games last season due to injury but when he played he impressed in a struggling Carlisle team. He has started in multiple pre-season games and impressed so I think he will start against Woking.
CB – Terell Thomas
There has been talk of a Thomas departure this summer but he has started the majority of pre-season and looks like he’s forming a great partnership with Aaron Hayden at the back so I think he will start against Woking.
CB – Aaron Hayden
Aaron Hayden was one of the better players towards the back end of last season under Mark Hughes and has done well in pre-season. He and Thomas have build a strong defensive partnership so I think he will start against Woking.
LB – Cameron Harper
I think Sam Murray will challenge and potentially displace Harper this season but Harper has started the majority of pre-season and has more experience than Murray so he will be trusted by Hughes to start the season.
CM – Jack Ellis
I think the midfield is the biggest guessing point going in to the Woking game. Carlisle have a lot of attack minded midfielders but not many defensive minded ones. Ellis has played there in pre-season and proved he can do a job in there so I think he will start against Woking.
CM – Elliot Embleton
Embleton hasn’t performed yet in a Carlisle shirt but has impressed in pre-season with goals and assists and has the quality on his day to really contribute towards a successful season this season and for those reasons I think he will start against Woking.
CM – Callum Whelan
Whelan has been one of the most consistent performers for Mark Hughes’ side since his arrival from Gateshead in January and his experience in the National League all point towards the midfielder having a huge season this season and I think he will start against Woking.
RW – Junior Luamba
I think it’s a toss up between Luamba and Adjiboye but because Luamba has started more in pre-season I think he may just get in because of that. Luamba is young, hungry and has bags of pace so I think he will start against Woking.
LW – Regan Linney
I have him down as left-wing on here but it will depend on the formation because he can play through the middle as well. He has been the standout player in pre-season and scored goals to go with it. He will certainly start against Woking.
ST – Luke Armstrong
Armstrong was already out on loan when Mark Hughes was hired as manager but I think he’s the exact profile of striker that could thrive under Hughes. He and Linney have build up a strong connection in pre-season and I think they’ll start together against Woking.
A Message From Paddock Perception
Stay with Paddock Perception this season as we bring you match previews, match analysis and all of the latest news around Brunton Park in what promises to be an exciting season ahead.
We are working alongside Liam and his YouTube channel Blue Army TV this season to make sure we bring you the best Carlisle United content we possibly can. You can subscribe to his channel and follow him on X, his handles are below.
X – @blue_army_tv
YouTube – @BlueArmyTVchannel
Another partnership Paddock Perception has is with Carlisle United YouTube channel CU04, they have amazing content on their channel and we are looking forward to working with them this season. You can follow them here:
X – @CU04_YOUTUBE
YouTube – @CU04
Thank you everyone for reading Paddock Perception, your support means everything! Please don’t forget you can follow Dan and Craig on X for more football content:
On Saturday, Mark Hughes’ Carlisle United side get their National League campaign underway when they make the long trip to Surrey to take on Neal Ardley’s Woking side.
Carlisle will be looking to bounce straight back to the football league at the first attempt after back-to-back relegations and Woking will be looking to improve on their 15th place finish last season.
How Did The Teams Look In Pre-Season?
Woking have had a mixture of results in pre-season, they have had wins over lower league opposition such as Cray Valley and Met Police but have lost to a Fulham under-21 side and Portsmouth. Their most impressive victory in pre-season was a 2-0 win over a Spurs under-21 side.
Woking have brought in a total of seven summer signings so far this summer including Jake Hyde from Chelmsford, Caleb Richards from Kidderminster and Chinwike Okoli from Millwall. Neale Ardely’s side have had something of a squad overhaul this summer after releasing a total of eleven players including Reece Grego-Cox, Rohan Ince and Jermaine Anderson.
Carlisle have enjoyed a successful pre-season which included victories over Chester, Harrogate, Fylde and South Shields but they also drew with Curzon Ashton and a defeat to SPFL side Motherwell.
Mark Hughes’ side has made a total of seven summer signings including Regan Linney from Altrincham, Morgan Feeney from Shrewsbury, Josh Grant from Wealdstone and Sam Murray from Manchester United. Carlisle much like Woking have experienced something of a squad overhaul this summer with a total of ten players leaving the club including Callum Guy, Sam Lavelle, Josh Vela and Ben Barclay who were all released as well as Matthew Dennis and Kadeem Harris who moved on after rejecting a new contract at Brunton Park.
Match Preview
Woking were a lot stronger at home last season than they were away and will want to continue that this season. Neal Ardley always has his side well organised and difficult to beat at home.
Woking’s players to watch will be captain and midfielder Harry Beautyman he has that bit of quality in the middle of the pitch and has an eye for goal. Ardley’s side also have a strike force with lots of experience which consists of form Millwall and Sunderland striker Aidan O’Brien and Inih Effiong who has lots of experience at non-league level both of which will be handfuls for the Carlisle United defence.
Carlisle United will be wanting to get off to flying start as many people have tipped them to be the winners of the National League this season. As we all know though football is a “funny old game” and on the back of back-to-back relegations some of this squad could be low on confidence. Nothing is being taken for granted by Mark Hughes and his side and know they will be in for a battle in this one.
Carlisle United players to watch will be midfielder Callum Whelan who impressed after joining from Gateshead in January and is proven at this level. Up front one of the forgotten men in Luke Armstrong has bagged goals in pre-season and is looking sharp, he up front with new signing Regan Linney who has also been scoring and looking sharp in pre-season could be the strike force to take the Cumbrians to victory in this one.
I’m expecting a hard fought contest with Woking having good home form but I think Carlisle will have too much quality in key areas and they will just come out on top and get their season off to winning start.
A Message From Paddock Perception
Stay with Paddock Perception this season as we bring you match previews, match analysis and all of the latest news around Brunton Park in what promises to be an exciting season ahead.
We are working alongside Liam and his YouTube channel Blue Army TV this season to make sure we bring you the best Carlisle United content we possibly can. You can subscribe to his channel and follow him on X, his handles are below.
X – @blue_army_tv
YouTube – @BlueArmyTVchannel
Thank you everyone for reading Paddock Perception and our first match preview of the season. Please don’t forget you can follow Dan and Craig on X for more football content:
The new season is now less than a week away and everyone is starting to tell us their predictions. With that being said a lot of predictions are very similar and can sometimes become boring to read so today I’m going to be picking four opinions of mine for this season that I’ve not seen anyone talking about so far this summer.
The four predictions will be a mixture of individual player’s performances and how the team will do as a whole.
Luke Armstrong – The Forgotten Man
I think Luke Armstrong got a raw deal when he joined the Cumbrians back in 2023. He was a lone striker a lot of the time with no service but he found some form when on loan at Motherwell last season and has been starting in pre-season for Mark Hughes and finding the back of the net. I think Luke Armstrong will be a first choice starter for Carlisle aligned Regan Linney up front this coming season.
Callum Whelan – Player Of The Year?
Whelan showed glimpses last season in a struggling team of what he can do. He’s great on the ball and takes set pieces so I think he will really fit in well this season and get lots of goal contributions. You add all of that with his experience at this level for Gateshead I think if Carlisle have a good season that Callum Whelan will be an integral part of that and could win our player of the year at the end of the season.
Sam Murray – A Class Above?
The 20-year-old full back has joined from Premier League club Manchester United and I think he could make that left-back position his own this season with question marks over Cameron Harper from last season. Harper will start the season but I think Murray will gradually replace him and become first choice quite quickly. The defender was highly regarded at Old Trafford and played lots of games at youth level but never got his chance in the first team. I think Sam Murray starts at left-back and thrives as this season progresses.
Aaron Hayden – First Name On The Team Sheet?
With a lot of central defenders to choose from this season I think Mark Hughes may has some selection dilemmas but the form Aaron Hayden showed towards the end of last season was a lot like the Aaron Hayden we all remembered in his first spell with the club. His experience with Wrexham in the National League will stand him in good stead and I think he’ll be one of if not the first name on the team sheet this season if he can stay fit.
Other Predictions
I know it would’ve been easier to come on here and make shouts for Gabe Breeze to keep the most clean sheets or Regan Linney to win the golden boot and I do think they are both a real possibility but I wanted to try go with things I’ve not really heard many people talking about so I hope that has really come through in this article.
A Message From Paddock Perception
Stay with Paddock Perception this season as we bring you match previews, match analysis and all of the latest news around Brunton Park in what promises to be an exciting season ahead.
We are working alongside Liam and his YouTube channel Blue Army TV this season to make sure we bring you the best Carlisle United content we possibly can. You can subscribe to his channel and follow him on X, his handles are below.
X – @blue_army_tv
YouTube – @BlueArmyTVchannel
Thank you everyone for reading Paddock Perception, your support means everything. Please don’t forget you can follow Dan and Craig on X for more football content:
Carlisle United have an abundance of options in a lot of areas on the pitch right but one place they are lacking real depth is in the centre of pitch. There are a lot of attack minded midfielders such as Callum Whelan, Stephen Wearne, Elliot Embleton and Ethan Robson but as far as someone who can sit and dictate the midfield there is only really Josh Grant who’s recently been brought in from Wealdstone.
In the recent pre-season matches Jack Ellis has been used in the midfield and has impressed. The 21-year-old is a right-back by trade but has shown recently that he can play in midfield.
Today I’m going to look at the plus and negative points of starting Jack Ellis in the midfield for the start of the new season.
Positive Points
Ellis has the passing range to be able to dictate play in the midfield and can play the simple pass as well as threading through balls in to the attacking areas for the forwards.
Ellis being 21 years of age also means he has the legs and the engine to cover a lot of ground and his history of being a full-back means he isn’t shy of getting a foot in and being strong in the tackle.
Negative Points
With Ellis being being largely inexperienced it means he could be exposed if left to hold the midfield his own in certain games. He could be bullied by more experienced and stronger midfielders.
Ellis will most likely need someone to sit with him in big games in particular or the opposition will target him and try to expose the fact that he isn’t a natural midfielder.
My Opinion On Jack Ellis In Midfield
I would personally be looking to bring a defensive midfielder to sure things up in the centre of the pitch. Ellis is a great option to have but I wouldn’t want to hang my hat on Ellis being the answer to protecting our defence from midfield.
Josh Grant can play there but he hasn’t really featured in pre-season so I think Mark Hughes will be looking to add a defensive midfielder to the ranks over the next few days. If the Cumbrians sign someone with valuable experience in the position then Ellis could learn and adapt to being a midfielder over the course of the season and maybe be first choice next season.
A Message From Paddock Perception
Stay with Paddock Perception this season as we bring you match previews, match analysis and all of the latest news around Brunton Park in what promises to be an exciting season ahead.
We are working alongside Liam and his YouTube channel Blue Army TV this season to make sure we bring you the best Carlisle United content we possibly can. You can subscribe to his channel and follow him on X, his handles are below.
X – @blue_army_tv
YouTube – @BlueArmyTVchannel
Thank you everyone for reading Paddock Perception, your support means everything! Please don’t forget you can follow Dan and Craig on X for more football content:
With the start of the 25/26 National League season upon us next week and the majority of transfer business completed it’s now time to give as accurate a prediction as possible for the new season.
I will be predicting every team in the National League and where I think everyone will finish this season.
24th – Morecambe
The Morecambe situation is looking more bleak and inevitable with every passing day but at the time of writing this there is still hope so I will be predicting them to finish bottom. With all the issues off the field, the lack of players and the lack of stability it would be hard to see any other outcome for Morecambe if they do somehow manage to fulfil their fixtures in the National League
23rd – Truro City
Truro were exceptional last season and won the National League south on the final day of the season. John Askey’s side could suprise some teams this season but I think with the lack of transfer business and the club potentially punching above their weight that it could be a tough season for them.
22nd – Brackley Town
Brackley much like Truro won their respective league last season and earned their place in the National League this coming season. Brackley have signed some experiences players such as Danny Waldron and Michael Nottingham so they could take points off some of the better sides but over the course of the season I think they will fall just short.
21st – Wealdstone
Wealdstone only just survived last season and have lost some important players over the summer. They’ve lost experienced players like Adrian Mariappa, Josh Grant and Craig Eastmond without really replacing them as yet, I think they will struggle this season.
20th – Gateshead
Gateshead have suffered off the pitch recently and been under a transfer embargo but have managed to stay competitive on the pitch but they have lost arguably their two most influential players this summer in Regan Booty and Greg Olley without replacing them as of yet so I think they will have a tough season but may just have enough to stay up.
19th – Solihull Moors
Solihull Moors finished 14th last season after making the play offs the season before and in my opinion are experiencing a steady drop off. They have lost key players like Jack Stevens and Tahvon Campbell which will be a blow but they have brought in Dan Creaney from Tamworth who will score enough goals for them to stay out of trouble.
18th – Braintree Town
Braintree finished 17th last season and I expect them to be around there again this season. They’ve lost a key player in Kyrell Lisbie and haven’t brought in many new faces as of yet so I expect a very similar season to the last from Braintree.
17th – Boreham Wood
Out of the teams that have come up I think Boreham Wood have arguably recruited the best. They’ve brought in players such as Jeff King, Luke Norris, Aaron Henry and Junior Dixon all with experience at this level or higher. I think they will be comfortably safe this season.
16th – Boston United
Boston have experienced something of a squad overhaul this season. They’ve lost a total of 12 players and brought in 13 players so far this summer and that could go one way or another but I think they will be comfortably mid-table this season and finish higher than last season.
15th – Altrincham
Altrincham have lost a lot of goal contributions with the sales of Regan Linney and Alex Newby but they have recruited well and brought in players such as Charlie Kirk, Keaton Ward and Jimmy Knowles that will hopefully fill the huge void left by Linney and Newby. I think Altrincham will be comfortably mid-table this season but will miss the goals from the front two and drop off from last season.
14th – Tamworth
Tamworth finished 10th last season and had a good FA Cup run but I think will struggle more this season due to loss of top goal scorer Dan Creaney. They have brought in good players for this level such as Tyler Roberts and Joe Riley who will add quality to the squad but I think they will finish lower than last season.
13th – Woking
Woking finished 15th last season and I expect them to be around there once again. Neale Ardley’s side will be solid at home again but could suffer on the road like they did last season. Their transfer business has been quiet but effective this summer by signing a lot of players from teams in lower divisions such as Caleb Richards, Jake Hyde and Craig Ross who will all bolster an already very solid National League
12th – Yeovil Town
Yeovil finished 18th last season but I think they’ve held on to some important players and added some quality with Tahvon Campbell and James Daly so I think they will climb the table this season and finished significantly higher.
11th – Aldershot Town
Aldershot are another side that have experienced a major squad overhaul with the release of nine first team players and the sale of two more but they have replaced them with ten new faces including Tristan Abrahams and Kwame Thomas. I think Aldershot have a very strong mid-table National League squad and their final position will reflect that.
10th – Sutton United
Sutton United finished 12th last season and have brought in a total of eleven players so far this summer including experienced goal scorer Ashley Nadesan who has been scored in pre-season and has experience at this level. I think they will improve on their 12th place finish from last season.
9th – Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe coming up from the National League north will be a team to watch out for. They have a squad worth of a top half finish in the National League and have added quality to that squad this summer with players such as Joey Dawson from Celtic, Oliver Ewing from Leicester and Dubem Eze from Bolton. I think they will take some big scalps this season but may just fall short of the play offs.
8th – Forest Green Rovers
I struggled with Forest Green because I have major question marks over the appointment of Robbie Savage but I think their squad and strength in depth plus the additions from Macclesfield over the summer I think they’ll have a good season but depending on how the manager situation plays out they might just miss out on the play offs.
7th – Hartlepool United
This may seem odd but Hartlepool finished 11th last season and have lost their top scorer in Mani Dieseruvwe but I think they will just make the play offs. The additions of Danny Johnson and Brad Walker in particular should replace the goal involvements of Mani Dieseruvwe.
6th – Halifax Town
Halifax are another of those sides that have experienced something of an overhaul this summer but I think with the additions of players such as Will Harris and Cody Johnson on top of a strong squad and good season last season I think they will make the play offs once again.
5th – Eastleigh
I think there is a strong argument to say Eastleigh have had the best transfer window in the whole league this summer. They’ve brought in quality and experienced players such as Nick Townsend, Jordan Cousins, Josh Lundstram, Keiron Evans and Aaron Pierre. I’m expecting Eastleigh to massively improve on their 13th place finish last season and comfortably make the play offs this season.
4th – Southend United
Southend are one of a few teams that have managed to keep the majority of their squad from last season and have added quality to their squad with players such as Sam Austin, Ben Goodliffe on a permanent deal and Harry Boyes. I expect them to improve on their 7th place finish from last season and comfortably make the play offs in 4th place.
3rd – Rochdale
Another team that has a strong case for winning this transfer window are Rochdale. They’ve managed to keep the core of their squad from last season and added some experience and quality to their ranks with players such as Mani Dieseruvwe, Anthony Mancini, Casey Pettit and David Tutonda and I think if anyone is going to disrupt the top two everyone is prediction it will be Rochdale.
2nd – York City
York City fell just short in the play offs last season and with the goals of Ollie Pearce means they will always be a threat but they have added some depth to their squad this summer and brought in quality with Ollie Banks and Alex Newby who will thrive up front with Ollie Pearce this season. I expect them to comfortably be in the top two this coming season.
1st – Carlisle United
After suffering back-to-back relegations Mark Hughes’ side will be looking for an immediate return to the EFL and their transfer business this summer has reflected that expectation. Signing players with experience at this level such as Regan Linney, Josh Grant, quality players with experience like Morgan Feeney and Bevis Mugabi as well as young hungry players like Junior Luamba and Sam Murray should see them finish at the top end of the table for the first time in three seasons.
A Message From Paddock Perception
Stay with Paddock Perception this season as we bring you match previews, match analysis and all of the latest news around Brunton Park in what promises to be an exciting season ahead.
We are working alongside Liam and his YouTube channel Blue Army TV this season to make sure we bring you the best Carlisle United content we possibly can. You can subscribe to his channel and follow him on X, his handles are below.
X – @blue_army_tv
YouTube – @BlueArmyTVchannel
Thank you everyone for reading Paddock Perception, your support means everything! Please don’t forget you can follow Dan and Craig on X for more football content:
Carlisle United today announced the signing of the versatile 26 year old Josh Grant. Grant, who spent the 2024/25 season playing for now fellow National League side Wealdstone, has joined the Blues on a 1 year contract following a trial spell having turned down a new deal with the Stones.
Grant spent 13 years in the youth setup at Chelsea and represented England at U18 and U20 level, having loan spells in the EFL with Yeovil and Plymouth before joining League One side Bristol Rovers on a 3 year contract, he went on to make 101 appearances for the Gas, scoring 5 goals in the process.
Grant is regarded as a dynamic and versatile player who can operate in both defense and midfield, and will add some much needed competition in these areas for United in the upcoming National League season
Head of Football Operations, Marc Tierney said: “Josh is a dynamic and versatile midfielder who brings valuable EFL experience to Brunton Park, as well as having previously represented Chelsea at youth level.
“After an impressive week training with the squad, he’s already making his mark and is an exciting new addition to the team.”
Head of Recruitment, Martin Foyle said: “I’ve watched Josh over the years and he has the quality to take us back to the level where we want to be. Now we have real competition for places in the midfield area.
“We’re all looking forward to working with Josh and we’re delighted to have got this deal over the line.”
What Will Josh Grant bring to Carlisle?
Grant strikes me as an interesting signing, after having spent a good period of time at Bristol Rovers and largely being well thought of at the Memorial Stadium, he eventually dropped down to National League level to play for Wealdstone as they endured a tough 2024/25 campaign, finishing just above the drop zone in 20th. Wealdstone supporters have largely expressed their disappointment at his departure however, indicating that Grant may have been one of the shining lights in the side despite their struggles.
Grant comes in as the type of player that Carlisle will benefit from however, with the club lacking real depth in the middle of the park following the departures of Callum Guy, Josh Vela and Taylor Charters, as well as Sean Fusire returning to Sheffield Wednesday and Will Patching being loaned out to Coleraine.
Grant’s versatility could be a big asset to the Blues next season too, with his ability to also slot into defensive areas too if the need arises, his previous EFL experience is also a bonus and will make an extension enticing should Carlisle be able to make the swift return to League 2 that they’re aiming for.
We at Paddock Perception would like to offer Josh a warm welcome and wish him a thoroughly successful spell at the club.
Thanks everyone for reading and don’t forget you can follow Dan and Craig on X for more football content:
Frankie McAvoy (Left), Mark Hughes (Centre) and Gavin Skelton (Right)
Carllisle United yesterday released an update on the club’s coaching staff for the upcoming season, with Mark Hughes’ previous assistant Glyn Hodges leaving the club due to family commitments.
Speaking after leaving Brunton Park, Glyn said: “After careful consideration, I’ve decided to step away from my current role. The commute has significantly impacted on my work-life balance, and I believe it’s time to prioritise a healthier daily routine, along with family commitments.
“I’m grateful for the experiences and opportunities I’ve been given by Tom, Patty and the Piatak family and wish them well, as well as Mark and the team for the coming season.”
Who is Hodges’ replacement, Frankie McAvoy?
Hodges’ position was quickly filled by Frankie McAvoy, taking the role of first team coach under Mark Hughes. McAvoy brings a good amount of experience to the club, having worked as a coach under Alex Neil at Hamilton Academical, Norwich City and Preston North End. McAvoy also had a stint as head coach of Preston, following a successful spell as interim manager, winning 14 out his 33 games in charge of the club.
He then had a spell at Hearts as Academy Director in 2022, before being assisting Steven Naismith as head coach a little over a year later. Earlier this year in March, McAvoy joined AFC Fylde as interim assistant coach before departing the club following Fylde’s relegation from the National League.
Gavin Skelton returns to the Blues.
Yesterday also saw a return to Carlisle for Gavin Skelton, who makes a comeback less than a year after leaving the Cumbrians alongside then manager Paul Simpson after a long spell as assistant manager to names such as Keith Millen, Chris Beech and Steven Pressley.
Skelton has left Hartlepool to facilitate his return to the club, having been a first team coach at the Pools since November 2024.
Head of Football Operations, Marc Tierney said: “We are happy to support Mark Hughes with the additions of Frankie and Gav to the coaching team.
“Frankie brings coaching experience in the National League and above, as well as valuable knowledge and insight to our coaching setup which will be a real asset for the season ahead.
“We are also delighted to welcome Gav back to Brunton Park. He is someone who knows Carlisle well and has strong ties to the club.
“Bringing Gav in is an important step towards building a strong and effective team around the players.
“We’re confident this coaching group will provide the support and expertise needed for a successful season.”
What do these appointments mean for Carlisle United?
This news will certainly have raised a few eyebrows among Carlisle United fans, with Glyn Hodges’ having came to the club alongside Mark Hughes and United fans will certainly feel like they’re losing a big figure in the regime that gave the side a real fighting chance of staying up towards the end of the 2024/25 season. Another question mark is the fact that Hughes hasn’t worked with either McAvoy or Skelton before, which suggests that these appointments are largely being driven by other individuals rather than Hughes himself.
McAvoy does unquestionably bring with him some good experience at multiple levels of the game however, having worked in the Championship, SPL and National League at various stages of his career, which will hopefully be a boost to the club going forward.
Gavin Skelton’s return is another decision which will almost definitely split opinions, as a large portion of the fanbase were happy to see him leave the club last year, after being a part of multiple different coaching regimes which ultimately failed to deliver.
With that said however, Skelton undoubtedly knows Carlisle inside and out, and is blue through and through, so he will bring the level of experience, knowhow and passion that could help really reconnect the fanbase to the club after a tough couple of years at Brunton Park.
We at Paddock Perception would like to thank Glyn Hodges’ for his time at Carlisle United, and wish Frankie McAvoy and Gavin Skelton all the best in their new roles at the club as they attempt to drive the side back into the Football League.
Thanks everyone for reading and don’t forget you can follow Dan and Craig on X for more Carlisle United content:
Yesterday it was announced that striker Matthew Dennis had rejected a new contract offer from Carlisle United and had decided to make the move to an EFL club instead. Later it was made official that he had joined League Two side Notts County.
Notts’ head of football Roberto Gagliardi described the signing as “Representing great value” for the club and was “Delighted to have beaten a number of other clubs to his signature, including some from higher divisions”
Dennis leaves the Blues after signing a short term deal in February, a spell that saw him score six goals in fourteen appearances for Mark Hughes’ side, which sadly was not enough to keep Carlisle in the EFL.
How will this departure affect Carlisle United next season?
Without a doubt, Matty Dennis’ departure is a blow for Carlisle, who were hoping to make him a part of their plans to forge an immediate comeback to the EFL in the 2025/26 season and his output of goals was certainly an impressive one especially considering it was for a side that was so up against it and were ultimately relegated.
With that said, i personally don’t think it’s something that will be too devastating for United next season, as with a forward line that currently consists of Georgie Kelly, Charlie Wyke, Luke Armstrong and the newly signed Regan Linney, there should be more than enough firepower in the side to consistently find the net next season.
I wish Dennis all the best at his new club and hope it ends up being a successful move for him, but i certainly think we can achieve our goals despite his departure.
Thank you for reading Paddock Perception, and stay tuned for more updates and opinions on the summer transfer window and pre season ahead for the Blues.
Paddock Perception 