United visit Carlisle, who thanks to their mountain of games in hand looked dead-set for promotion only a few weeks ago. How times have changed for the Cumbrians as two defeats on the bounce seem to have derailed any hopes of a successful end to the season.
With the exception of Dimi Mitov and Leon Davies who needs an operation, Mark Bonner has a full-strength side to pick from for the long trip. After recent results, and a lack of midweek games, we’d be surprised to see much deviation from the side that won convincingly against Oldham and Forest Green.
Expected U’s Line-Up: Burton, Knoyle, Taylor, Okedina, Iredale, Digby, O’Neil, Boateng, Hoolahan, Mullin, Ironside
One possible change could be the return of Luke Hannant to the starting XI, most likely at the expense of Liam O’Neil, and Harvey Knibbs is available to take some pressure off Joe Ironside who has spent the past few games as a human punching bag, soaking up all manner of rough attention from opposition defenders.
Who’s Their Player To Watch? Lewis Alessandra is always a bastard to play although he hasn’t broke double figures for goals for a few years now.
Who’s In The Dugout? Chris Beech has been at Brunton Park since 2019, after a fairly unremarkable playing career at Blackpool, Hartlepool, Huddersfield and Rochdale.
What’s Their Recent Form Like? P5, W1, D2, L2, For 6, Against 7
Any Ex-United Players? Nope
Last Time Out: United 3-1 Carlisle, September 12 2020
Little did we know that when Paul Mullin dived in to put his header beyond the Carlisle keeper for our second goal of the game, that another 23 goals would follow before the end of March. Luke Hannant opened the scoring, and Joe Ironside wrapped up a comfortable win.
From The Archive: United 1-3 Carlisle, February 21 1997
Two fantastic examples of 1990’s shirt designs on show here as United fall short against an impressive Carlisle. Shaggy with the goal for the U’s before two Scott Barrett howlers handed the Cumbrians all three points in front of the Sky cameras.
UTAS Moosenet Tip: 2-0 United, Mullin.
Under The Abbey Stand 
Given that Carlisle have won 10 of their 17 home games this season and are the bookies favourites to win this game, it would be easy to think that a draw would be a decent result after our long trip up there but consider this:
Carlisle have won 1, drawn 3 and lost 8 of their last 12 games, they’ve won 1, drawn 1 and lost 4 of their last 6 home games and followed up last week’s 3-1 loss at Stevenage with a 1-0 loss at home to Orient AND they’ve only managed to have 4 shots on target in their last 3 games combined!
Add all that to the fact that this looks the easiest of our next 5 games and I think you have to say this is a must win game!
LikeLike