How good are we?
With the first two months of the season over, it’s a good time to take a look at the squad and ask just how good are we? There is no doubt that the current squad have exceeded expectations, only the wildest enthusiasts would have dared to forecast that we would have been within reach of the top position at this stage of the season. Firstly, lets take a look at the squad individually.
Anthony Williams – Has done well after his disaster against Barnet. Usually has little to do but looks composed and kicks well. Still prone to the occasional lapse of concentration 8/10
Paul Arnison – He may have slimmed down, but he still lacks pace and tends to get caught out of position too often, meaning that he can rarely offer much support to the attack, one of the reasons that we aren’t getting enough goals. 5/10
Lee Andrews – Played well at Lincoln. Has the speed and height that Arnison lacks. Why isn’t he playing more often? 7/10
Zigor Aranalde – Better going forward than back, which tends to leave us a little exposed at times. Generally uses his experience well. Has slotted in almost seamlessly from Cowan 7/10
Kevin Gray – Tries to give away a penalty in each game. Slows after 70mins. Sadly coming to the end of his career. Still a great leader on the pitch. 6/10
Danny Livesey – Learning fast. Has some great games and some mediocre ones. 8/10
Simon Grand – Not seeing enough of him. Can’t rate him this season.
Peter Murphy – Offers both the defensive and attacking options that we need on the left. Has done enough to ensure more regular selection. 8/10
Raphael Nade – Still not sure that this guy is going to make it. Enthusiastic but lacking co-ordination. 4/10
Brendan McGill – Has shown the attitude that all players should have. Showing the form that made him the London Branch Player of the Year two years ago. 9/10
Simon Hackney – Not seen enough of him to rate him.
Adam Murray – Still improving and still needs to. Have the feeling that he has more to offer and that we’ll eventually see it. 7/10
Jamie McClen – Haven’t seen him play this season so can’t comment.
Chris Billy – Not the force he should be. Too many basic errors. Great when he plays well, frustrating when he doesn’t. 6/10
Chris Lumsdon – Not yet seeing the best of him. Needs a couple more weeks to settle in. 6/10
Glenn Murray – Always looks dangerous when he comes on. Makes up in enthusiasm and effort for what he lacks in skill. Could yet be good player. 7/10
Karl Hawley – Most consistent performer along with McGill. Has bridged the gap between non-league and league as if it wasn’t there. Needs to keep it up all season. 9/10
Derek Holmes – Doing well until his injury. Could do with him back, sooner rather than later. 7/10
Paul Simpson – Still making the odd cameo appearance. Not sure that he offers anything that we don’t have already. Still has the footballing brain, but his body doesn’t seen to respond anymore. 6/10
So what does that make us? An average side with a couple of good individuals? We have shown the capability to beat anyone, but also the ability to lose to anyone. It seems to point towards a mid-table position at the end of the season and most supporters will be relieved with that, although we can all see that something better is possible.
Our home form is the biggest cause for concern. We need to instil the ‘Fortress Brunton Park’ mentality in the players. We have to make sure that we never lose a game at home and then go on and start to ensure that we begin to win them all. The way to do this is to play to our defensive strengths, pass the ball around and hit teams on the break. It may not be pretty at first, but this is exactly how we have been picking up so many points away from home this season.
The good news is that we aren’t getting thrashed by anyone, so there is no chasm in ability or attitude between us and the others in League 2 and we don’t need to make wholesale changes to improve to become a promotion winning side. Thought does need to be given to Kevin Gray’s succession, however.
Looking at the fixtures October is going to be an important month with an opportunity to pick up a few points. How well we do in the next few weeks could well define whether the rest of the season is going to be a struggle or an opportunity to start playing some relaxed and attractive football.
Let’s get out there and give the team the support they need to ensure it is the latter rather than the former.
Malcolm Fawcett
information@carlislelondonbranch.org