Carlisle United had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Swindon Town in their third game of the League Two season – but what did we learn from the Brunton Park clash?
Let’s take a closer look…
1 DENNIS THE MENACE
It’s stating the obvious to say that four-goal Kristian Dennis is hugely important to Carlisle United right now.
The stats, too, back this up in various ways.
Right now, Dennis has more shots in a game than any Carlisle player, more shots on target, a higher expected goals (xG) rating and also wins possession in the final third more than anyone else.
He’s also, according to FotMob, missed more big chances than anyone else. But with a goal in each of his outings so far this season, the 32-year-old is certainly delivering right now.
When he cruised onto Jordan Gibson’s pass against Swindon, there cannot have been much doubt in the crowd as to the outcome.
The experienced forward is very much in the groove. Long may it last.
2 GIBSON’S GRAFT
The numbers are stacking up well for midfielder Jordan Gibson, too.
According to D3D4Football, he won six tackles during the game – the most of any League Two player on Saturday.
The stats also show he has created eight chances so far this season – four of them rated ‘big chances’ by FotMob.
Gibson scores well when it comes to passing accuracy and successful dribbles, too.
While Gibson made his mark as an attacking, goalscoring threat last season, he is clearly carrying out Paul Simpson’s instructions in the broader aspects of the midfield role as well early in 2022/23.
United’s style of play depends on the likes of Gibson leaving little in the tank. So far he’s delivering well.
3 COREY AT THE HEART
More than once this summer, Paul Simpson has put on record how impressed he is with Corey Whelan.
United’s boss has praised the professionalism and performance standards of a player who did not make the opening-day starting XI.
The injury to Morgan Feeney has seen Whelan quickly back into things – not just in defence, but with the captain’s armband, too.
Saturday’s performance, against a tricky Swindon forward line, did him credit.
Whelan is a different type of defender to the full-frontal, combative Feeney, but the former Liverpool man showed good calmness on the ball and a steady hand throughout the 1-1 draw.
His place could come back under threat when Feeney is back fit and Paul Huntington is up to speed but, on the early evidence at least, Whelan has justified Simpson’s trust.
4 GUY BITES BACK
Carlisle have had to come from behind in their last two league games, and twice they’ve successfully done so before half-time.
Conceding early is a habit they could do with shaking, but at least they’re not allowing it to deter them.
Callum Guy was a case in point on Saturday. He was clearly at fault for Swindon’s opening goal, turning into trouble, losing the ball and watching helplessly as Jacob Wakeling scored.
Yet Guy atoned impressively with a central part in United’s leveller, getting the better of two opponents in a midfield scrap before Gibson fed Dennis.
The 25-year-old must have felt better for that – and there can be no doubting his or Carlisle’s competitive character at this stage.
Taking the initiative earlier in games must be the next step for Simmo’s battling Blues.
5 BY THE RIGHT
There can have been few right sides of teams younger or less experienced than Carlisle’s on Saturday.
You wouldn’t have known it, though, with the way Jack Ellis and Fin Back went about things.
On the right of the defensive three, 18-year-old Ellis was excellent on his first outing of the season.
The teenager from Staveley was composed and unfussy with his work, and did his chances of a run in the side no harm.
At wing-back, meanwhile, Nottingham Forest loanee Back gave another of those spiky, front-foot performances that led Simpson to say afterwards: “What a find”.
With a combined age of 37, these two prospects may have to shoulder plenty more work in the coming weeks.
On this showing, there is little need to worry about that.
6 FINISHING SCHOOL
The contrast between Kristian Dennis and others in front of goal just now is stark.
While he has put away four goals with composure, there remains a lack of poise in other scenarios when Carlisle create great chances.
Omari Patrick, Simpson said, was reprieved by an offside flag when he cleared the bar from six yards on Saturday.
Simmo also said Dennis himself had apologised for getting in the way of Jack Stretton when the best opportunity of the second half went begging.
Patrick himself held his hands up on Twitter after the game. He has more than enough credit in the bank to get a decent hearing from fans on that.
Hopefully a good run on the fitness front will get Patrick, who had another good chance blocked on Saturday, up and running.
Along the way, United will need to be a little less hasty, a bit more controlled, when other opportunities come along, whether inside or on the edge of the box.
Dennis is indeed a menace. But it’s time for others to join in.
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