That was a cracking day out, and a great result we totally deserved. Absolute scenes when the goals went it, because of the shit seating there were loads of people in the aisles and most of them fell over, every time. Great atmosphere and I thought 3 little birdies sounded great - and in the concourse.

Prematch we had a walk around Carlisle and I have to say I liked it, lots of great historic buildings, parks, rivers, and a some decent pubs. The sun was out an it was a lovely day, it did cloud over and rain later but we made it to the ground dry.

This team will stay up and do well if they stick together, we eased off at 3-0 and let them back into it but never really looked under the cosh. Femi loved the adoration after being subbed, I hope he stays.

Oddly we saw Lewis Wing walking down outside the offfy by the station after the game, people getting selfies with him. Not sure how he missed the coach.

Wing is originally from Middlesbrough. May have taken a relatively short train to catch friends and family given we have a full week off.

Surprisingly we scored three goals and none of them were 20+ yard screamers or own goals.

Bit more fluidity and penetration.

Victory again based on the contributions of Wing, Smith and Knibbs.

Those 3 have been phenomenal signings. Knibbs particularly as we didn’t really expect that much from him. Fast becoming a real favourite

The change of position for Knibbs has been absolutely crucial.

Penetration

Funny word

I love penetrating

The change of position for Knibbs has been absolutely crucial.
If the season ended now, I'd have Knibbs 1st and Wing 2nd in POTS. This squad just makes me more desperate for a takeover, I want to see this squad and Selles get us through our darkest moment and push on and win promotion in the next few years (next season probably too soon though).

The change of position for Knibbs has been absolutely crucial.
If the season ended now, I'd have Knibbs 1st and Wing 2nd in POTS. This squad just makes me more desperate for a takeover, I want to see this squad and Selles get us through our darkest moment and push on and win promotion in the next few years (next season probably too soon though).

This is somewhat harsh on Azeez, Bindon and Craig IMHO - to be honest they've all been immense in giving us a fighting chance when it would have been easier to bemoan the situation the club is in.

If the season ended now, I'd have Knibbs 1st and Wing 2nd in POTS. This squad just makes me more desperate for a takeover, I want to see this squad and Selles get us through our darkest moment and push on and win promotion in the next few years (next season probably too soon though).

This is somewhat harsh on Azeez, Bindon and Craig IMHO - to be honest they've all been immense in giving us a fighting chance when it would have been easier to bemoan the situation the club is in.
Not sure it's harsh. There can only be one POTS so you can't fit in all the team. It's good that for once it's actually debatable, instead of Tom Ince winning by default. Who even won in 2022? Also probably not deserving.

Young POTS is very crowded this year. Azeez is only 22 and the front runner for me, but Bindon has been great and crazy that Craig is an outsider.

Top day out and a comfortable win. We had way too much for them in midfield.

Only moans, slow start again and almost cost us early on, and a poor 15 min spell after we scored the third.

Mbengue getting better but makes me nervous still at times, decision making sometimes not great, difficult one for Selles whether he brings back Holmes as he could be fit next week.

He won't be back next week. Selles said post match that Dorsett was about 10 days away from fitness and Holmes "will be a little longer".

This is somewhat harsh on Azeez, Bindon and Craig IMHO - to be honest they've all been immense in giving us a fighting chance when it would have been easier to bemoan the situation the club is in.
Not sure it's harsh. There can only be one POTS so you can't fit in all the team. It's good that for once it's actually debatable, instead of Tom Ince winning by default. Who even won in 2022? Also probably not deserving.

Young POTS is very crowded this year. Azeez is only 22 and the front runner for me, but Bindon has been great and crazy that Craig is an outsider.
I think I might even have Craig and Bindon above Wing. Wing does the spectacular. But Craig and Bindon just do the unglamourous but importsnt work brilliantly, week in, week out.

To have two academy players in basically their debut season be standouts is exceptional. Then there was Abbey too.

Honestly not sure how to place it this year.

Currently would be Knibbs, Azeez, Wing for me but would happily have Bindon and Smith in the mix

Young player would be Bindon, Craig, Kelvin - but again Savage could force his way in still

Not sure it's harsh. There can only be one POTS so you can't fit in all the team. It's good that for once it's actually debatable, instead of Tom Ince winning by default. Who even won in 2022? Also probably not deserving.

Young POTS is very crowded this year. Azeez is only 22 and the front runner for me, but Bindon has been great and crazy that Craig is an outsider.
I think I might even have Craig and Bindon above Wing. Wing does the spectacular. But Craig and Bindon just do the unglamourous but importsnt work brilliantly, week in, week out.

To have two academy players in basically their debut season be standouts is exceptional. Then there was Abbey too.

Honestly not sure how to place it this year.
I can see the point of view, but you need players with the attacking X face who can do the spectacular, otherwise we'd be a workmanlike team without the quality to win games, which would almost certainly relegate us this season.

I think I might even have Craig and Bindon above Wing. Wing does the spectacular. But Craig and Bindon just do the unglamourous but importsnt work brilliantly, week in, week out.

To have two academy players in basically their debut season be standouts is exceptional. Then there was Abbey too.

Honestly not sure how to place it this year.
I can see the point of view, but you need players with the attacking X face who can do the spectacular, otherwise we'd be a workmanlike team without the quality to win games, which would almost certainly relegate us this season.
To put it another way, I think Wing is at his level in L1, but Craig and Bindon will spend most of their careers well above it.

I can see the point of view, but you need players with the attacking X face who can do the spectacular, otherwise we'd be a workmanlike team without the quality to win games, which would almost certainly relegate us this season.
To put it another way, I think Wing is at his level in L1, but Craig and Bindon will spend most of their careers well above it.

I appreciate it’s very unlikely, but if we were to ever get back into the Premiership Craig is a player who could play at that level in my opinion. Sadly, we’ll most likely lose him in the summer.

To put it another way, I think Wing is at his level in L1, but Craig and Bindon will spend most of their careers well above it.

I appreciate it’s very unlikely, but if we were to ever get back into the Premiership Craig is a player who could play at that level in my opinion. Sadly, we’ll most likely lose him in the summer.
Think we should get at least one more season out of him (with new owners).

To play right at the top for long I think he needs to add more of a change of tempo to move the ball forward quicker sometimes, and some goals, or at least a shot.

I appreciate it’s very unlikely, but if we were to ever get back into the Premiership Craig is a player who could play at that level in my opinion. Sadly, we’ll most likely lose him in the summer.
Think we should get at least one more season out of him (with new owners).

To play right at the top for long I think he needs to add more of a change of tempo to move the ball forward quicker sometimes, and some goals, or at least a shot.
If we get good owners in, we can absolutely convince talented young players to stay. Every time you move you take a risk it may not work out, the best way to progress is to be with a club who can take you places. A new owners' ambition should be top half with playoff aspirations in 25, serious promotion contenders in 26, holding our own in the Championship by 28. Young players would stay unless we fall behind that or they get an offer that is simply too good to refuse.

Made a weekend of it.

So whoever recommended the Settle-Carlisle line gets a gold star, just bliss. For all the moorland, the best bit was up in the Eden valley and snow-capped hills looming large out of the cloud. Like a fantasy film.

Walk down to the ground - lovely old fashioned one. Huge support. A bit more tense than necessary. What was ultimately a fairly routine 3-1 win felt like a lot closer. I don't think they were any cop - we lost our heads for 10-15 minutes at 3-0 and let them back in.

Three Little Birds was great and perfectly judged.

Checked in to station hotel then had a wander - The Boardroom, Kings Head, The Appletree, Thin White Duke, Hotel bar - for a solid evening and then the most obscene fish and chip shop dinner I've ever had - cumberland sausage and chips. Somewhere a horse is limping.

Sunday. Rail replacement to Workington, train to Ravenglass, sat with a sarnie and ice cream overlooking the estuaries. Beautiful. Back on the train - think that estuary just before Barrow is pretty spectacular as well. Along the coast, again, lovely as the sun went down, and a rapid one home.

Just lovin' away days this season. "Baby don't worry, about the Ding"

Just lovin' away days this season. "Baby don't worry, about the Ding"

100%.

EVERY LITTLE THING GONNA BE ALRIGHT

It's a good chant, but let's be honest we're all very much still worrying about the Ding, and it's not something that can be settled on the pitch.

TBH I was singing not to worry about a thing, and didn't realise it had changed for "the Ding", but I think "don't worry about Reading" works better.

It's an absolutely stunning part of the world, South Cumbria/North Lancashire. It's why I love living here. Glad you enjoyed the coastal train. Not seen the Settle to Carlisle train though, certainly something I'll check out.

Could be! I am still singing "I'm blue, if I was green I would die." Eiffel 65

Just lovin' away days this season. "Baby don't worry, about the Ding"

100%.

EVERY LITTLE THING GONNA BE ALRIGHT
OK!
I DIDN'T NOTICE, OR KNOW DEAR, SUNSHINE
Don't think Bob minds