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" The distance involved means it's always tough going up there, and they're a solid all-round side. They played a 4-3-3 system and played it well, We found it hard to get to grips with them in the first half, and while we were a lot better later on, the damage had been done.
" If they do the same against Town, the wide players are going to be crucial, because a 4-3-3 formation does leave space on the flanks which can be exploited. In Gary Roberts and Anthony Pilkington, Town have got players who can do that, and when you think the likes of Lee Croft and Graham Carey are now on board as well, the gaffer (Lee Clark) has options down either flank. "
Meanwhile current Town midfielder Anthony Pilkington commented to the Examiner ahead of tonight's Carling Cup tie :
" It's seldom easy up there, but we won at Brunton Park last season and we know we can do it again. It's about going there with a gameplan and executing it properly, just like we did at Notts County on Saturday. "
And former Blues-loanee Joe Garner, who is now at Huddersfield until January in a temporary spell away from Nottingham Forest, told the Examiner :
" Carlisle are a good side, especially at home, and we'll have to up for it. Promotion is our main aim this season, but winning matches is what it's all about and a good Carling Cup run would be great for the club and the fans. Get to the second round and there are great ties to be had.
" I think every club is a little bit different, I think the professionalism of this place is a bit like Nottingham Forest. At Carlisle I had a great time there and they were a great group of lads. I haven't been back since I left there but I am looking forward to it and it will be good to play there obviously.
" I think I have just got to do what I do playing and hopefully have a good game. I will probably get a little bit of stick off the fans but it is all good, I don't mind it, and hopefully we come away with a good result and a good performance. Every season is a big season for me and I am just happy to be here and hopefully play a few games, bring some goals and give the team something that is a bit different. "
The only players unavailable to Town boss Lee Clark tonight are brothers Nathan Clarke and Tom Clarke. The two defenders sidelined for this evening's Carling Cup Round One clash with, coincidentally enough, knee ligament injuries, Nathan expected to be out until October while Tom will have to wait until Christmas for his comeback.
The referee for tonight's match is David Webb from County Durham, and he will be assisted down the lines by two more County Durham men in Gary Beswick from Newton Aycliffe, and Jonathan Hunt. Meanwhile the fourth official makes up the Durham quartet as he is Glen Hart from Darlington. One job for the refereeing crew this evening potentially being to keep an eye on 30 minutes of extra-time and then maybe a penalty shootout.
Carlisle welcome Huddersfield to Cumbria this evening, holding the advantage on previous meetings between the two sides at Brunton Park. Of the 23 games played, United have won ten, nine have been drawn and Town have been victorious only four times.
Last season in the league fixture in Cumbria, Huddersfield beat the Blues 2-1 in mid-February as 5,236 fans looked on. Lee Novak after six minutes and then Jordan Rhodes with 56 minutes on the clock putting Town 2-0 up before Joe Anyinsah grabbed a last minute consolation goal for United.
The campaign before in League One Carlisle, on Boxing Day 2008, picked up their best ever Brunton Park victory over Huddersfield as they defeated the Terriers 3-0. Danny Graham in the first-half, then Michael Bridges and Graham Kavanagh after the break scoring the goals for the Blues in front of 7,883 spectators.
Other games between the two clubs have otherwise been relatively tight affairs, and with that in mind, United's second biggest home win over the Terriers has five times been by the scoreline of two goals to nil.
Perhaps the most memorable of those matches being the Football League Trophy Northern Section semi-final second leg game at Brunton Park in the 1993-94 season when the Cumbrians just came up short as they attempted to overturn a 4-1 deficit from the first leg at Leeds Road.
The best of Town's three successes on the road at the home of United came in the 1969-70 campaign in the old Division Two. Huddersfield winning 2-0 that early October afternoon as 9,721 fans looked on, the Terriers doing the double over the Blues that season on the way to winning the title.
Carlisle did gain a modicum of revenge in the League Cup second round that year though when they defeated Town 2-0 at home, United eventually making it all the way to the semi-final stage before succumbing to West Brom.
The sides have been drawn against each other two other times in the League Cup, the first of those being in 1961-62 when Huddersfield won a first round replay 3-0 at Leeds Road after the original tie had finished 1-1 at Brunton Park. The other tie, in 1977-78, again needed a replay, this time after the two legged fixture had finished 3-3 on aggregate on the back of two draws, Town then defeating United 2-1 at home in the third game.