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Carlisle V County

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This is it. After a much-improved performance on Tuesday night yet another defeat, today will show the true mental strength of the County side with it’s new-found physical strength in the form of Jemal Johnson, Jabo Ibehre, Danny Swailes, Richie Partridge and David Perkins.

In front of a rocking Cheadle End on Tuesday night, it was easier for the lads to get motivated and take the game to Swindon. It just wasn’t to be.

Today’s the real test, up to Carlisle with a small away contingent, and it will go one of two ways. Either we build on the good performance and nick a good win or even just take a point from the game, or the momentum is killed flat by the Carlisle team and we end up on the receiving end of another defeat. Come on County.

Vital Quotes:

Gary Ablett: ‘I am sure once we can get more work on the training ground with the new ones it will improve the quality of our performance and hopefully we will win a game. We just felt that there was an opporunity with them bearing in mind the limited financial situation that we have as MK Dons are paying a large chunk of the ones that are loan deals. We have still got two or three irons in the fire, if we can get them in then that can only be a positive thing.’

‘ MK Dons have been fantastic in paying money towards wages for Jemal and Jabo but we’ve had to push the boat out a bit to sign David Perkins. We’re still working under financial constraints and we’ve tried to sign players from the area to avoid having to pay for hotels and food. Jabo Ibehre is the only one who hasn’t got links to the North West. Other teams have the luxury of building for the future. We don’t. We’ve got 23 games to stay in this division. Simple as that.’

Carlisle Team News:

Captain Paul Thirwell will return to the squad after being rested for the midweek 2-1 win in the JPT at Elland Road.

Former County midfielder Marc Bridge-Wilkinson and striker Richard Offiong will also be in the squad. Offiong has been nursing a calf strain.

Carlisle boss Gregg Abbott is mulling over a starting berth for the hero of Elland Road on Tuesday night, Joe Anyinsah, who scored the winner at Edgeley Park back in September.

Player to watch: Marc Bridge-Wilkinson

Need I explain?

County Team News:

David Poole is serving the second match of a three game ban after his sending off against Leeds at EP back in December.

All five new signings should take their place in the team again, after Gary Ablett confirmed Jabo Ibehre will probably extend his emergency loan until the end of the season.

Player to watch: David Perkins

Looked a real quality addition in the middle of the park (for a small guy!), let’s see if he can keep it up today against the tricky Bridge-Wilkinson.

Match Odds

Carlisle – 8/15

Draw – 3/1

County – 5/1

Match Prediction:

1-1. And I’d happily take it to stop the rot.

Next Fixtures:

COUNTY v Brighton

Edgeley Park

League One

Tuesday 26th January ’10

7:45pm

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Animo Et Fide

1 comment

  • animo_et_fide_825 says:

    I’m gonna put my neck (and small amount of cash) on the line and bet county win 2-1!!!! Gotta show some faith,come on lads!! I O County

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