Before its to late

When Carlisle United were relegated from the football league in 2004 there fans must have feared the worst. Their club had avoided relegation on numerous occasions from Division 3 and when they finally did drop they must have feared that they could be down in the realms of Non-league for years to come.

On the contrary, they were promoted straight back up the following season, and used the relegation as the catalyst for where they are today, playing League 1 football. However it looks as though the club, who missed out on promotion to the Championship last season might need another relegation to kick start there fortunes.

The club lie 14th in the table three points off the relegation places and not knowing where the next win is going to come from, a cliche I know but never spoken more truly than with Carlisle this season.

Defeats recently to struggling Hereford United and now Colchester United, who record there first win at their new stadium on Saturday with a thumping 5-0 win. Things haven't looked as bleak since the non-league days.

With the squad at John Ward's disposal its hard to see why they are struggling. They lost very little of the squad which finished fourth in the league last season. Keiron Westwood has gone to Coventry in the Championship but this move is hardly the sole season for their fall from grace.

The events of the final day of last season could have diminished the sides confidence some-what. They were second going into the final day and a draw at home to Bournemouth who needed the win to stay up themselves. Nottingham Forest jumped ahead of them and were automatically promoted and left Carlisle to the lottery of the play-offs where they were knocked out by Leeds United.

They came so close last season some of the disappointment may have run over to this season with a squad very similarly built. In truth the team would have struggled in the Championship and could have struggled badly, their start to League 1 this season shows that.

The team aren't looking as strong as unit as they did last season and don't ever look likely to hold onto leads like they showed at MK Dons when they looked as though they could add to their tally.

The man mountain upfront Danny Graham has weighed in with his share of goals as always, scoring ten in total. However there aren't many in reserve willing to take much of the responsibility in terms of scoring goals. Graham does have the hopes of the team on his shoulders. but its obvious hell need help.

The introduction of Grahame Kavanagh will hopefully sure up the midfield and give some creativity up front.

At the back the side has struggled hugely and with the fire-power up top the side knows that if it defends well it has a chance. They simply haven't done that this term and this has to change if results are to get better.

The team have already conceded 26 goals in the league, the worst defense outside the bottom four. The loss of Peter Murphy is a big one sure, but no-one has stepped up to the plate defensively and taken charge, because no offense to Colchester if they are scoring five past you then you have serious problems.

John Ward has done an admiral job since taking over 2 years ago and getting the club to his stage is very admiral, but he is in danger of loosing all he has created if his side don't sort out there defensive frailties.

With Graham in the side they always have a chance but until problems are sorted out elsewhere his goals, and there will be plenty of them will be going to waste.