Purches was the only change from the previous game, deputising ably at left back for the injured Cummings. It’s asking a lot of two inexperienced young strikers to form an immediately effective partnership, and Ings and Dalla Valle haven’t, but the real problem today was in how we are attempting to get the ball to them. Time and again our midfield play consisted of getting the ball forward quickly and without much direction, which suited the slow Carlisle centre backs. Wing play, so much a feature earlier in the season was largely dependent on Smith making forays from full back, possibly by design, or possibly because Feeney was so poor that there was nothing to stop Carlisle doubling up on Pugh. Basically Plan A isn’t very good, and there is no Plan B.
Plodding football ensued with neither side looking particularly threatening, and it was something of a surprise when Carlisle managed to take the lead from a scrappy goal by Murphy, who appeared to receive the ball from a player in an offside position before controlling it with his arm and firing wide of Jalal. A promotion contending side should have been capable of reacting to the setback, but all we got was more of the same unimaginative play.
Even Jalal was making mistakes, coming for a high ball which he had no chance of getting in the first half which was headed just wide of the unguarded goal, and in the second half dropping a cross at the feet of a forward who obligingly side footed it tamely to the man on the line.
Bournemouth’s notable efforts were few. In the first half Pugh cut inside and got in a powerful shot that was too close to the keeper to give him much trouble. Late the second half Ings did well to get past a couple of defenders but his shot was well saved. As desperation mounted towards the end Stockley replaced Pugh (why not Feeney?) and made an immediate impact, splitting the Carlisle defence with his first touch and leaving Ings with only the keeper to beat. Sadly one-on-ones are not Ings’ forte (who remembers Carl Richards?) and he dragged his shot just wide of the post, and with it went our best chance of salvaging something from the long trip.
Carlisle are an unexceptional mid-table side, and had this game been played earlier in the season confidence alone would probably have been enough for us to pick up at least a point. Unfortunately on this evidence confidence is in short supply, and we now look decidedly mid-table ourselves. Charlton next week, which should be a chance to end our winless run. That needs to happen soon, because at the moment the only momentum we have is that of a car which has driven over a cliff.
Smith, who took responsibility for trying to drive things forward.
AFCB: Jalal, Smith, Cooper, Pearce, Purches, Feeney, Robinson, Hollands, Pugh, Ings, Dala Valle
Subs: Thomas, Baudry, Nelson, Partington, Taylor, Fletcher (on for Dalla Valle, 60 mins), Stockley (on for Pugh, 83 mins)
Richie Barker, Leyton