Last updated at 12:29, Thursday, 28 February 2013

Teenager Dave Symington faces the axe by Greg Abbott as the Carlisle United boss looks set to ditch the Blues’ 4-4-2 system at Notts County.

Dave Symington

The United manager is likely to make a tactical change in a bid to make his side more solid at Meadow Lane.

That is likely to spell a quick return to the bench for youngster Symington, who started Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat at Walsall.

Abbott now believes that playing open and expansive football, which was his intention on Tuesday, may be too risky with United needing quick points to avoid being drawn into the relegation scrap.

A return to 4-3-3 or the diamond system, with Paul Thirlwell and Brad Potts contenders for a recall in midfield, is back on the agenda.

“On Tuesday we played a system with two wingers and two centre-forwards to entertain and create chances,” Abbott said.

“That’s what the fans wanted, but it didn’t happen. Maybe other systems are sometimes better.

“Nothing is entertaining when you get beat like that. Maybe now I can go about doing the job in the best way possible to get results.”

Abbott also insisted he had been right to play the right-footed Symington on the left wing against the Saddlers.

“David plays just as well on the left, he’s played a lot of his football there,” the United manager said.

“He is probably a bit short of playing regularly, but we have to find out and he deserved the start with his performances off the bench.

“He found it tough, and I wish supporters would trust your selections and formations and reasons for doing things.

“We try to explain everything. Maybe patience in team selection is the key.”

First published at 12:28, Thursday, 28 February 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk