Carlisle United - View

Carlisle seem a little inconstant at the moment, similar to Tranmere they can score but they have issues at the back which is for Notts to expose on Saturday. Nobody can questions them as a football outfit, as they have beaten Sheffield United already and a lose to Port Vale, just shows the level of inconstancy. Notts on the other hand are looking up at them literally and on the back of one impressive display, isn't enough to say this game will be easy. We've taken the time to speak to two Carlisle United fans, they've kindly answered our questions which you can read below.

Firstly, could you please tell prideofnottingham.co.uk a little about youself such as how long you've been a Carlisle fan?

Josie; I am a 57year old disabled single parent with three grown up girls and now have four grandchildren as of 12th September when my youngest granddaughter was born. I have been a supporter of Carlisle United since 1974 and a season ticket holder for the last four or five years. I think this is my sixth season as a season ticket holder. Before that I used to just go to as many games as I could. Now it is unusual for me to miss a home game. As my health is not brilliant I haven't made it to any away games this season but last season we did get to some. Before that we made most of the away games within a two to three hour coach trip.

Jack; I am 16, my names Jack and I have been a Carlisle fan for quite a while now, since I was about 6.

What is your opinion on your current managerial situation?

Josie; I'll give you the printable version. I liked Greg Abbot as a person and as a manager. However, for some reason he was not able to get the players to play to their potential for almost a year now. After year on year success we hit the doldrums. A change won't necessarily help us much, but heads as they say needed to roll. I hope we don't get the caretaker manager given the job full time as Kav has no managerial experience and at this stage in the season with the results the way they have been for the last year we really need someone with a proven track record.

Jack; I was a big fan of Greg Abbott, but with the start we have had and the disappointment of last season it was probably the correct decision. I am also pleased that the board have given Graham Kavanagh a chance, I and many others did think it would be a case of same old same old, but he has proven he is man a man with his own ideas. Favourite to get the job full-time.

What are your expectations for this season in cups as well as in the league?

Josie; I think we will perhaps do better in the league than in the cups.. which isn't saying much. I would like to see us finish about 18th in the table if we can manage it. Consolidate.

Jack; We've had decent cup runs in past seasons, two Wembley finals in the JPT and hosting Spurs and Brunton Park last season. I would hope that this year we reach the 3rd round of the FA Cup, that's the one competition that we never seem to progress in. The JPT I would like to think we could go all the way again. League? 12th-14th.

Can you tell us a bit about your squad including the latest signings?

Josie; Because we have loan players coming in and out all the time it's a bit confusing right now. Our mainstay in the back four, Danny Livesey, has been out with injury and we miss him badly, not just for his bravery (he puts his head where a lot of players wouldn't even dare put their feet!) but for his wealth of experience in the game and the present team. Sean O'Hanlon has become a good partner for him but is only recently back from injury himself. Townsend looks tidy, and experienced, and I hope he stays as he is due to finish his loan period after the Notts game. Midfield we really struggle but hopefully our recently promoted youth player Brad Potts can stay there instead of having to stand in at right back, as he is more useful in midfield. Berrett had a shocker of a last season but seems to finally have returned to a bit of form. On his day he's brilliant but he has had too many bad days lately. Thirwell is a very experienced player and will more than likely command the midfield. Not sure who Kav will put in because we have some injuries in a thin squad. I am sure if he is able to play, Miller will start, but he's a bit doubtful for the Notts game. Amoo is beginning to settle and seems a really good all rounder. He's had five goals in all games so far which is a good record in a bad season. Matt Robson is quick and clever and can score given the tiniest of chances. However, he sometimes gets played out of position when we are short in the back four so I'm not sure how much he will be able to do on Saturday.

Jack; We have used 28 players so far this season (Inc Unused subs) the highest figure in league one. It's been hard to track who's in and who's out. Two loanees who have come in and made a real difference are Left-back Conor Townsend (Hull) & Troy Archibald-Henville (Swindon), for the first time in a long time it looks like a settled back line (For now).

What formation do you expect Carlisle to start with and how do you see the game progressing?

Josie; Kav is an unknown quantity as manager still so I'm not sure whether he will go for 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 or even 4-5-1 with Miller up front on his own. I hope if he goes for 4-5-1 he has Robson and Amoo wide midfield to service crosses in for Miller. Berret, Potts and possibly Noble in the midfield to hold up the ball and the back four would be possibly Livesey (if fit) Townsend O'Hanlon and I would love to say Chantler but he's also an injured player right now. Our squad is THIN!±!!!

Jack; I'd expect us to line up with a 4-5-1 formation. Lee Miller, who I'm sure all Notts fans will remember, will lead the line providing he has recovered from a knock he picked up at Stevenage. I think we'll win the game, but it will be a tight affair...2-1 Carlisle.

What have been your best and worst experiences as a Carlisle fan?

Josie; Best is a toss up between winning the old Division One in 1974, the Johnstons Paint Trophy Win over Brentford, or taking Leeds to penalties and beating them in the same northern final of the JPTrophy. Worst... one very embarrassing game last season that I have expunged from my memory except for the fact that for the first time in my time with Carlisle I felt nobody was even TRYING to win the game I didn't want to talk about the match afterward it was so awful.

Jack; My best experiences supporting Carlisle has to be the 1-0 V Brentford at Wembley. Nothing better than seeing your team win at the national stadium. Other than that, going to the Brittania Stadium and seeing Carlisle win in the Conference play-off final was one my earliest memories, and one that will stick me for years to come. Worst memory, League One semi-final V Leeds. I still remember that night, sitting in my room as a 10 year with 5live on the radio shedding a tear or two when Jonathan Howson scored in the 90th minute to give them the 3-2 win on aggregate.

If you could sign any player from the Football League who would you choose and why?

Josie; I would love to see Danny Graham or Rory Delap come back to Carlisle because they were such popular players during their time at Carlisle and they have gone on to bigger and better things, but for a new face... possibly Jack Wilshire because I think he has incredible potential in all areas of the pitch and on his day can be as good as anyone.

Jack; Tough question. Grant Holt I would love to see in a Carlisle shirt, he loves the club.

Which Notts players (if any) do you see causing you problems (in all areas of the pitch)?

Josie; At the moment, I would say your back four are our major hurdle as it doesn't matter how well we defend, if we can't SCORE we won't win!!! We haven't been able to finish games off if we go ahead. apart from the last two that is.

Jack; I follow a few Notts fans on twitter and the seem impressed with McGregor & Grealish, both players on loan I believe. Danny Haynes will also be another one to watch.

Which players do you see causing Notts problems?

Josie; Amoo and Robson, if both are fit and start the game. Possibly Gillespie

Jack; David Amoo, our leading scorer this season and he has been a pleasure to watch. I was rather sceptical at first, with both Tranmere and Preston fans saying he was frankly garbage but he has been anything but that since arriving. Matty Robson on the left has 2 goals in his last 2 games. Lee Miller (if fit) will put himself about and hopefully add to his tally of 1 goal this season.

Notts have not had the best of starts to this season, what do you think of our prospects?

Josie; I don't judge a season by a few games. Carlisle seems to make a habit of giving themselves an uphill battle by losing quite a few at the beginning and then struggling to climb over the hurdles they have set themselves I am sure Notts will finish near the middle of the table. I hope we can as well.

Jack; Really hard to say, Notts will be fine. I was surprised to hear about Zoko getting the boot, he was excellent up here and many of us would like to see him back. Mid-table obscurity for Carlisle & Notts I reckon.

Who do you consider to be your main rivals/ Can you tell us about your ground and the surrounding area?

Josie; Traditionally Preston NE is our derby match, but I think any team that keeps clear of injury and can spend a bob or two will be a problem for us this season. We are spread very thin in many areas unfortunately.

Jack; We don't really have a rival to be honest, not at professional level anyhow. Preston & Leeds are games we all look forward to. Brunton Park is the largest football stadium in England which isn't all seated. Brunton Parks sits relatively close to the train station with the city centre not far away at all.

Finally have you ever been to Meadow Lane?

Josie; No that is one ground I haven't yet managed to get to.. but health permitting.. who knows???

Jack; Sadly, I have never visited Meadow Lane.

Pride of Nottingham would firstly like to thank Super Ram for lending a hand and choosing the set questions, we would also like to thank both Josie and Jack for taking the time to answer them - We wish Carlisle the best for the season but obviously after Saturday.