What did we learn from Carlisle United's draw with Bromley?

1 FIGHTBACK SPIRIT

Carlisle have emerged from three away games in eight days unscathed, which in itself feels like progress after the previous malaise.

It’s two wins and a draw from trips to Salford City, Morecambe and Bromley in league and cup.

They certainly did not string three unbeaten away matches together all of last season. The previous time it happened was at the tail end of the 2022/23 promotion campaign.

Dan Adu-Adjei wheels away after converting the equaliser at Bromley (Image: Richard Parkes)

United have also, in their last two games, done something which has been another rare sight when the Blues play on the road.

They have twice come from behind to gain a result, responding to a first-half goal to win at Morecambe in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, and then snatching an injury-time draw at Bromley through Daniel Adu-Adjei’s goal.

If fighting back to earn a draw or victory in an away game is a sign of a certain spirit, then it can be noted that Carlisle have already equalled the number of times they did it in all of last term (the 3-1 win at Bolton Wanderers and the 2-2 draw at Stevenage).

By contrast, they did it six times in the 22/23 season, turning deficit into draw or win at Colchester United, Newport County, Hartlepool United, Harrogate Town and Sutton United…as well as a certain afternoon at Wembley.

The idea that Carlisle don’t know when they’re beaten has been an alien one for too long. These new resilient signs, and their ability to take late goals, is a welcome step, whatever else they need to add.

2 SHOTS FIRED

Carlisle, not for the first time under Mike Williamson, had the large share of possession at Hayes Lane.

That was perhaps to be expected given Bromley’s well-known more direct style.

Yet on this occasion, and this has not always been the case, United turned their dominance of the ball, relatively speaking, into chances.

Ben Barclay has one of United's 23 shots at Bromley (Image: Richard Parkes)

They had 23 shots in total against Andy Woodman’s side. That is the most they have had in any league game so far this season, topping the 22 against Harrogate Town and the 21 against Notts County.

This speaks well of United’s general pressure and attacking intent, which was most impressively on show in that spell late in the first half when Kadeem Harris, Dominic Sadi and co were proving elusive in the Bromley third.

The fact Carlisle needed until the 92nd minute to register a goal shines less flattering light on these numbers and adds the context the Blues must work on.

Only five of their 23 efforts were judged to be on target and, while Bromley’s defenders made a number of blocks, rarely was Grant Smith, in the Ravens’ goal, drawn into what you’d term a good save.

There did seem greater life and zip about United’s attacking when they were at their best in south east London yet efficiency in those positions is yet to come for a side trying to figure out ways to climb League Two.

Indeed, their three wins so far this season have come when their shot count has been much more modest: at Salford (seven), Swindon Town (eight) and at home to Barrow (13).

It is, as mentioned above, clearly positive that United have found some comeback and late-goal spirit in recent outings.

A box remaining to be ticked is that of a side taking full advantage when on top, and showing they’re comfortable and assured with that identity, as well as in the clothes of a defiant side eking something out.

3 MIDDLE MEN

It was a positive day for Carlisle United’s central midfielders at Bromley for different reasons.

Callum Guy gave another of those performances which underlined how much of a miss he was when out for so long with his ACL injury.

This was, all in all, his most complete showing since his comeback: durable, strong and even with a couple of silky flashes; one cross-field pass in the first half had many in the press box, as well as fans around us, purring.

Callum Guy gave a strong midfield performance at Bromley (Image: Richard Parkes)

That was a sign of a player growing in confidence and leaving any hang-ups attached to any return from long-term absence further behind.

Guy, whose forward passing was also positive, was in the wars too, needing treatment for a heavy-looking blow in the second half, and so it was reassuring to see him battle on, at a time Dylan McGeouch was getting ready to come off the bench.

United are going to need Guy at this level of influence for the duration. As for his partner in the centre…this was a creditable showing from Cameron Harper, normally found at left wing-back but preferred in the middle here to more orthodox midfield options, such as Josh Vela, in the absence of Harrison Neal, Harrison Biggins and Ethan Robson.

Harper saw plenty of the ball, just as much as Guy and more than many others in the side, and he used it, in the most part, with good calm and judgement.

Certainly it’s hard to think of any jarring moments when you felt Carlisle would be at risk of an out-of-position player doing something to cost the side. Reliability, in these circumstances, must come first and this was not an experiment by Williamson, if that’s the right word, that backfired. Considering United’s sudden glut of left-sided options, Harper showed some sound versatility.

4 TIGHTENING UP

In United’s position it’s important to look for any guides to things improving, and perhaps one is in their recent defensive record generally.

The Blues have still conceded more than anyone else in the division, so we need not be throwing around too many bouquets here.

At least, though, for the moment they have stopped shipping in bulk, which was a disturbing feature of the season’s opening weeks.

United's defensive record is gradually improving (Image: Richard Parkes)

Indeed, in their first 11 league games they conceded three or more on five occasions. After the 4-0 rinsing at AFC Wimbledon, the Blues had let in 23 goals in those 11 outings at more than two a game. Desperate.

Since then it’s been more solid as a rule, and if Carlisle have still conceded some goals that were excruciating to watch – Cheltenham’s at Brunton Park, for example, a couple of Walsall’s, and Saturday's penalty concession – the average is coming down over the piece.

Their last five league games have seen six goals conceded, Walsall (the division’s second highest scorers) hitting three of those, and either one or nil going into the Blues' net in the others.

Gabe Breeze, in his three performances in goal so far, has conceded just the once in 90-minute periods, and that was a penalty (from Michael Cheek on Saturday).

It may still be early to think United’s foundations are greatly improved but if things are going the right way, even a little, then that is at least something to build on.

What will examine this closely? The next two games, for sure. They come at home against the third and second-placed sides in League Two in Doncaster Rovers and Crewe Alexandra.

Crewe in particular are in splendid league form: unbeaten in seven, as reliant on a strong defensive record (13 conceded from 15 games) as their attack (19 scored, the fewest in the top six).

Donny are level on points with the Railwaymen and if they have not been producing relentless victories lately, they are still one of League Two's most dangerous sides and have four away wins so far, with only leaders Port Vale boasting more in the top six.

Carlisle’s home record, lest we forget, is woeful – one win, one draw, five defeats – and at least they know what they’re faced with on the next two weekends (weather permitting) when they take on sides with higher current expectations.

Come through these two games with the same defiant and, if necessary, underdog spirit we saw in Brunton Park’s last occasion, against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup, and there can be further grounds for hope.