The grim stats behind Carlisle United's start to the season

And, in terms of defeats in all competitions at this stage, it is their worst of ALL TIME.

The Blues' 3-2 defeat to Fleetwood Town was a fifth defeat from their first six league games.

It left third-bottom United on just three points from a possible 18 at the start of the League Two campaign.

Not since 2014/15 have Carlisle produced such a paltry return from their first half-dozen league games.

That season also saw United begin the campaign with three points from their first six in League Two, a spell which included the early-season departure of manager Graham Kavanagh.

Graham Kavanagh, centre, was the manager when United last started a league season as badly as this (Image: Barbara Abbott/Pixel8 Photos)

That term they went on to finish 20th in League Two under Kavanagh's successor Keith Curle.

The campaign before that they got off to an even worse start, taking two points from their first six in 2013/14 as Greg Abbott lost his job and Kavanagh took charge.

Carlisle, meanwhile, have lost seven from their first eight games in all competitions this term.

Since they joined the Football League in 1928, they have NEVER suffered so many defeats from their first eight matches in a season.

United's losing habit underlines the job facing a new head coach at Brunton Park.

Carlisle also now have the joint worst defensive record in the EFL.

They have conceded 14 goals from their first six games, only second-bottom League Two side Accrington Stanley having shipped as many.

Their goal difference is already on -8 from their first half-dozen league fixtures, also the equal worst in their division. Only Cardiff City, on -10 in the Championship, have a worse goal difference in the EFL.

So far United have lost to Gillingham, MK Dons, Tranmere Rovers, Bradford City and Fleetwood Town in the league, as well as Stoke City in the Carabao Cup and Nottingham Forest Under-21s in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.