Carlisle United

Carlisle agree deal for Tyke Reid
Carlisle United have signed defender Paul Reid from Barnsley on loan until the end of the season. The 26-year-old returns to his hometown club after spells at Glasgow Rangers, Northampton and at Oakwell where he was captain of the side last season. The versatile centre-back has made just four appearances this season and was placed on the transfer list. Reid made 22 appearances for Carlisle in his first spell at the club before completing a £600,000 move to Ibrox.

Fans can make a difference - Ward
Carlisle United boss John Ward has told supporters they can make a difference in his side's play-off semi-final with Leeds United. "If we need a lift, that sort of game against Leeds in the play-offs will give us it," he told SSB. "We'll look forward to it, there's going to be two full-houses and everyone is looking forward to it. "Realism has set in. We'll be underdogs and we'll need those supporters that gave us such a lift on Saturday." Carlisle missed out on an automatic promotion spot by just two points to Nottingham Forest, but Ward is adamant his players gave it their all over 46 games. "I can't ask any more and when you look at the season it is a fantastic effort from this club to be playing Leeds in the play-offs," he said. "I had a very disappointed dressing room after the game when we went in, but when we went back out and the ground was pretty full to applaud the efforts of the team that was a massive lift. "I was really pleased the supporters felt that way - the players wear the shirt with pride and so do the supporters."

Ward critical of Carlisle display
Carlisle United manager John Ward has criticised his team's display in the 3-1 friendly defeat by Workington Reds. The Blues, who included last season's top scorer Danny Graham and summer signing Michael Bridges, were outplayed by their opponents on Monday. "We played against a team with more determination than us and that hurts me," Ward told BBC Radio Cumbria. "It's the players that can select themselves and one or two of them have turned down their chance tonight." Carlisle found themselves 1-0 down within the first minute through Dave Hewson's opener before conceding a further two goals before the half-hour mark from Johnny Wright and Dan Robinson. Michael Bridges scored Carlisle's late consolation from the penalty spot following a foul on teenage striker Gary Madine. It was Carlisle's second pre-season defeat in the space of three days following their 2-1 reversal at Morecambe. "It was just like Morecambe in that we didn't appear ready and prepared for the game," Ward said. "Workington have given us a lesson in how to get ready for a game and that's something we are going to have to learn from." Ward admitted he could take very few positives from the defeat as his side prepare for Saturday's League One opener against Bristol Rovers. "Danny Carlton had a go and Luke Joyce worked hard in the middle of the pitch and we got 90 minutes from Michael Bridges. "But we go back disappointed and possibly I am no near making my selection for the weekend which is where I wanted to be." Ward has decided to release trialists Tyrone Cameron and Ashley-Paul Robinson after both players were withdrawn at half-time at Borough Park. "Tyrone found it difficult while Ash showed he is not in a fit state," he said.

Ward conscious of Shrews calibre
Carlisle United manager John Ward has warned his players to take Shrewsbury Town seriously when they travel to the New Meadow on Tuesday night. Paul Simpson's Shrews opened with a 4-0 win against Macclesfield on Saturday and Ward believes their Carling Cup clash will be a closely fought affair. "It's a cup tie against a team that will be challenging at the top of League Two," said Ward. "It'll be a really difficult game for us," he told BBC Radio Cumbria. The Cumbrians, beaten 3-2 on aggregate by losing finalists Leeds United in last season's League One play-off semi-finals, got off to a winning start this time round with a 3-2 win at Bristol Rovers on Saturday. And Ward admitted that the manner of the victory was an encouraging sign for the rest of the campaign. "It is a relief because you look at your fixtures and three of the first four are away from home, and we're on the way now," he said. "Any concerns about a hangover from last season are out of the window and we're off and running now. "We talked about the points at the beginning being as vital as those at the end. We've got to keep pushing on and see if we can accumulate more points than we did last year. "That's going to be exceptionally tough, but we're three points closer to it already."

Wallwork training with Cumbrians
Former West Brom midfielder Ronnie Wallwork is training with Carlisle United following his release by Sheffield Wednesday during the summer. The 30-year-old, who is currently without a club, had a 12-game loan period at Brunton Park during the 1997/98 season. "Ronnie is looking for a club at the moment," Carlisle manager John Ward told the club's website. "We have agreed that he can come over and train with us." Wallwork started his career as a trainee with Manchester United, making 10 appearances for the club before joining West Brom on a free transfer in July 2002. "It may be the start of something that moves him elsewhere or it may be that we get something going here. At the moment it's simply a training session for Ronnie and ourselves." He made over 100 appearances for the Baggies in a six-year stay that included loan spells with Bradford City, Barnsley and Huddersfield Town. A free transfer move to Wednesday followed in January but first-team opportunites proved limited and Wallwork was released at the end of the season. "He knows all about Carlisle of course," Ward said. "He's been on his travels since then but from a familiarity point of view he knows what it's like up here. "He's already got to know the group of players and we've got to know him but at the moment it's no more than offering him a bit of training and we'll see where that takes us."

I take blame for defeats - Ward
Carlisle United manager John Ward has said he will bear the brunt of criticism for the club's run of four straight League One defeats. Saturday's 2-1 defeat at home to Tranmere Rovers brought an angry response from fans - and Ward takes full responsibility for the slump. "I always take my responsibility and I'll never shirk from that," he told Radio Cumbria. "I'm the manager and we all take that on our shoulders when we take the job." The last time Carlisle took three points in the league came in early September with a 2-1 win against Southend at Brunton Park, since when the Cumbrians have slumped to 11th in the table. But they have an immediate opportunity to restore pride with Tuesday night's trip to Rochdale in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Carlisle have fared well in previous guises of the competition, appearing in four finals and winning one of them, the Auto Windscreens Shield in 1997. And Ward is fully aware of the impact that a possible cup run could have on the side. "It's a super competition," he said. "If we can qualify on Tuesday night and go a bit further and get a break with the cup draw then this could go into league form. "I don't differentiate between cups and leagues, or say 'It doesn't matter'. Games go on and it's no different to any other game for me. "Particularly now, when we need to pick ourselves up. I want a good performance and I want a win."

Cumbrians must toughen up - Ward
Carlisle United boss John Ward says his team have to "toughen up mentally" after seeing his side go down to their fifth straight League One defeat. Ward believed a combination of poor defending and poor finishing was responsible for The Cumbrians' 3-1 reverse at Milton Keynes Dons. "It's a really difficult time," Ward told Radio Cumbria. "It's like going over an old record. I'm saying similar things after every game and that's obviously worrying." The defeat means the Cumbrians are without an away win since the opening day of the season, when they won 3-2 at Bristol Rovers. "It was certainly a better performance," said Ward. "But we've made those errors once again." Ward said. "The concerning thing is it's not the same people making them every week and that's the thing that's hard to take." Carlisle have now achieved their worst sequence of results since the 2003/04 season when they were relegated out of the Football League. But Ward, one of the most successful managers in lower division football history having taken three different clubs up, is trying to remain positive. "We just have to keep going in training," he said. "It's a tough time. Everyone is going to have to pull together and try to eradicate these errors." Carlisle's problems have not been eased by injuries to strikers Michael Bridges and Scott Dobie. "Michael is going to have a scan on his knee which is a bit worrying," said Ward. "Scott has a sore ankle which could be ligament damage, so we'll know more about both next week."

Myrie-Williams stays at Carlisle
Jennison Myrie-Williams is to spend another month at Carlisle United on loan from Bristol City. The 20-year-old winger, who can also play up front, is yet to start a league game for the struggling Cumbrians. But he has had four outings from the bench and started the Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat at Rochdale. City will retain a 24-hour recall clause for Myrie-Williams, who first played for Carlisle boss John Ward on loan at Cheltenham last season. Ward brought the former England-Under 18 international to Whaddon Road in August 2007. And he also enjoyed a successful three-month loan spell last season with Tranmere Rovers where he made 23 starts, scoring three times. Myrie-Williams, who began his career at Ashton Gate as a trainee, made his senior debut against Southend on the final day of the 2005/06 season. He scored his first goal for the club against Chesterfield in September 2006, going on to make 35 appearances as the Robins won promotion to the Championship.

Cumbrians seal Alnwick loan move
Carlisle United have completed the signing of Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Ben Alnwick on a one-month loan deal. "Spurs have given us permission to play him in the FA Cup and he will go straight into the side this weekend," boss John Ward told Radio Cumbria. "It's a position I felt we needed to look at. And he comes recommended." Ward has moved to bring Alnwick to Brunton Park in the light of criticism from supporters for regular Carlisle number one Ben Williams. Williams, who joined The Cumbrians from Crewe in the summer, was widely blamed for the second goal in last weekend's 3-1 reverse at Milton Keynes Dons - Carlisle's fifth straight league defeat. "Ben Williams has made one or two errors that's cost us a goal or two," said Ward. "And I think it's time to step him out of the firing line for the time being." he said. "I've no doubt Ben is an excellent goalkeeper but you don't become immune from making the changes. I think people will understand why I've made that decision." England Under-21 international Alnwick moved to White Hart Lane from Sunderland for £900,000 in January 2007. A regular for England at youth level, Alnwick came through the ranks at Sunderland, making his first-team debut against Leicester City at the age of 18 in April 2005. He went on to make 22 appearances for the Black Cats before joining Spurs. But he has been unable to break into the first-team picture at White Hart Lane and spent loan spells at Luton Town and Leicester City last season. "I'm pleased that the board has backed us in recent weeks," said Ward. "We've brought Ben in as well as Graham Kavanagh and Jennison Myrie-Williams and it shows everyone at the football club is trying to rectify the position we're in." Alnwick's arrival has increased speculation over the future of Carlisle's second-choice goalkeeper Chris Howarth, yet to make a first-team appearance for the club. "I'll speak to Chris about the situation," said Ward. "It wasn't a question of going out to get a new goalkeeper in. "But the opportunity to bring Ben Alnwick in came up and was one I felt I had to take."

Carlisle hit by new Murphy blow
Carlisle United defender Peter Murphy faces yet more time on the sidelines after his rehabilitation from a knee injury suffered a setback. Murphy, 27, tweaked a medial ligament during his recovery and physio Neil Dalton admitted he now needs to undergo keyhole surgery. "It is too early to put a definite time frame on recovery and rehabilitation," Dalton told the official website. "We will have to wait and see what the surgical procedure finds." He added: "Once that has been done and the results have been assessed, we will be able to update you further." Republic of Ireland cap Murphy has made over 300 appearances for Carlisle since joining the club from Blackburn Rovers in August 2001.

Carlisle snap up Hull midfielder
Carlisle United have signed Hull City midfielder John Welsh on a one-month loan deal. The 24-year-old former Liverpool trainee signed for the Tigers in 2005 and could make his Carlisle debut against Hartlepool on Tuesday. "He is a holding midfielder who can help to steady things up in the middle of the park," manager John Ward told the official club website. "I feel that we need a bit more cover in that area at the moment." Welsh found his chances with Hull limited after breaking his leg in a match against Preston in 2007, and spent part of last season on loan at Chester. Carlisle boss Ward will be hoping Welsh can help to halt an alarming slide down the table after a run of seven defeats in eight League One matches. During that run, which includes Saturday's 5-0 thrashing at Colchester, the Cumbrians have slid from a play-off position to just three points off the relegation zone.

Pressure builds on Carlisle boss
Carlisle United manager John Ward refused to be drawn on speculation over his future following the club's eighth defeat in nine games in League One. Hartlepool's 1-0 win at Brunton Park brought increased calls for Ward's dismissal from sections of the crowd. Speaking after Tuesday night's defeat, Ward told BBC Radio Cumbria: "I can understand that emotions are high." "But I'm not going to talk about my position tonight. I don't think that's the correct thing to do." The defeat, which leaves The Cumbrians 18th in League One, means Ward's side have taken just one point out of a possible 27. Speaking before the Hartlepool defeat, the Carlisle chief executive David Allen denied reports that Ward's future would be determined by the outcome of the game. "Obviously we are concerned about the results but John is a good manager and nobody is more disturbed by the results than him," he told Radio Cumbria. "We're not going to put the future of Carlisle United on the line on the outcome of one game." The Cumbrians' current form is their worst run of results since the 2003/04 season when they were relegated out of the Football League. "I am very upset and very disappointed about a lot of things," Ward said. "There is a lack of conviction around the team at the moment and that's the one thing we've got to try and eradicate. "We're not playing well and we're not playing with belief." Ward, who is hoping to have striker Michael Bridges back from injury for Saturday's trip to Stockport County, has indicated that there will be further changes to his side for the trip to Edgley Park. Wingers Cleveland Taylor and Simon Hackney are set to come back into contention after dropping out of the squad for the Hartlepool defeat. "We've freshened them up and maybe they'll come back for the weekend," he said. "I don't want to keep making changes but the way I'm watching games, I've got to keep trying something new or fresh because we have not been getting the results. "There is a lot of work going on to make the situation better."

Carlisle owners give Ward backing
Carlisle United's owners have given manager John Ward their backing despite a run of eight defeats in nine games. The club have released a statement admitting "the gravity of the situation" but re-affirmed their "confidence" in Ward's ability. "All the staff and players remain fully committed to the task," the official statement said. "(The club) thank the fans who are sticking by the team during this difficult period." Ward has faced calls for his dismissal from sections of the Carlisle support after a run of form that has seen his side take just one point out of a possible 27. Following Tuesday's 1-0 home defeat by Hartlepool the Cumbrians' boss refused to be drawn on his position but was critical of what he described as "outside influences." "Nobody within this football club is on my back," Ward told BBC Radio Cumbria. "It's people outside of this club who are on my back and encouraging other people. "I can put the outside influences to bed, they have to be responsible for their actions, not me," he added. The Carlisle owners - John Nixon, Steve Pattison, David Allen and Andrew Jenkins - cited injuries to key players as one of the reasons why the team have struggled for form in recent weeks. Midfielders Chris Lumsdon, Paul Thirlwell and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson have all been sidelined while striker Michael Bridges and defender Peter Murphy have also been absentees. Bridge-Wilkinson will return for Saturday's trip to Stockport County in League One while Lumsdon is two weeks away from his long-awaited comeback from a back injury. The statement, issued on Thursday, also highlighted the support the club are prepared to give the manager in the coming weeks. "Within the last month has brought in three loan players from Premier League clubs in a bid to get our season back on track." "Carlisle United are a club that has been through too many crises over the last decade or two but we remain confident that the current personnel at Brunton Park can lead us out of the present situation."

I want Carlisle hot-seat - Abbott
Carlisle United caretaker manager Greg Abbott says he is determined to earn the job on a permanent basis following the departure of John Ward. Ward left the Cumbrians on Monday following a run of 10 defeats in 11 games in all competitions. "It's up to me to grasp it with both hands and try and make a name for myself in this industry," Abbot told Radio Cumbria. "I'm brave and daft and I'll have a go at it and give it everything I've got." The 44-year-old is in his second spell in caretaker charge of the club following a 10-game stint in the role at the beginning of last season after the dismissal of Neil McDonald. Abbott, who began his playing career with his hometown club Coventry City before spells with Bradford City, Halifax Town and Hull City, joined Carlisle in 2006 following a spell as youth team coach at Leeds United. "We know we have had players who haven't performed and it's up to me now to work at these players and instil some confidence," he said. "They are going to bust a gut and absolutely die for the cause and I'll accept nothing less." Abbott expressed sympathy for the departed Ward after 13 months working as assistant manager to the 57-year-old at Brunton Park. "You never like to see it happen and you've got feel sorry for him," he added. "He's a smashing man. He's had some terrific words of comfort and encouragement for myself and I hope he gets back into football quickly." Abbott will take charge for Saturday's visit of Grays Athletic in the FA Cup first round and admitted he faces a challenging spell in the hot-seat. "It's going to be a bit more difficult than the last time I took charge in the same situation," Abbott said. "But it's one I'm not frightened of. It's one I'm going to hit head-on and try and get a bit more enthusiasm throughout the squad. "Everybody now is playing for places as it is obviously somebody different picking the team for Saturday's game."

Carlisle striker joins Darlington
Carlisle United striker Danny Carlton has joined Darlington on loan. Carlton, 25, who joined United from Morecambe in June 2007, will stay at the Darlington Arena until the end of the season. Carlisle manager Greg Abbott told the club's official website: "I think Darlington are a terrific club and this is a good move for him. Meanwhile, defender Darren Campion, 21, has been released from his contract at Brunton Park. Campion made four appearances for Carlisle after joining from Birmingham City in September 2007. His departure from Brunton Park follows a loan spell with Blue Square North side Workington Reds, who were keen to extend his stay at the club. Reds' manager Darren Edmondson told Radio Cumbria: "I knew last week that Darren had disciplinary problems at Carlisle. "He's gone back home to Birmingham and won't be with us unfortunately." Carlisle could also be set to hand some of their trialists extended stays with the club. The Cumbrians are looking at three players - former Leeds and York City midfielder Gavin Rothery, Bolton midfielder Michael Burns and Bradford Park Avenue midfielder Matty James. "They've done very well," said Abbott. "We're optimistic that we can do something with them. "They've come in and not looked out of place. The levels they're at have been very good." Rothery, 21, is a former England under-19 international who joined Harrogate Town after being released by York City in December. Burns, a former Liverpool trainee, undertook an unsuccessful trial with Gillingham during the summer. James joined Bradford Park Avenue following his departure from Blue Square North side Farsley Celtic.

View Full Version: Carlisle United