Carlisle are struggling to be the side they were before the hold-up. Then they were compact. When they attacked, they attacked as a unit. The same when an attack broke down and they got back with lots of energy. Now you get 20- or 30-yard gaps opening up when an attack breaks down. They’re getting stretched.

We’ve got more or less the same squad that reached the top of the league. Without trying to make excuses, I don’t think anybody knows how much the lads that had Covid have been affected by it and how long it takes to get back to 100 per cent fitness. If you lose a few per cent fitness, that’s all it takes for the team plan to break down.

We had the perfect start with an early goal at Salford last Saturday. But as the game wore on Carlisle got pushed back. It seemed as if they lacked energy going forward.

They battled well. But there’s a difference between battling and having that extra spark to go forward and break teams down. They started well again against Tranmere on Tuesday night but it became a similar story, except this time without a point to show for it. I think Tranmere’s first two goals in particular wouldn’t have happened before Christmas.

The only game I’ve seen live this season, at home to Stevenage in December, Carlisle won 4-0. They looked so fit going forward and back. They just expected results.

It’s now one point from the last four matches. I’ve still got faith in them but they’ve got to start winning again. They’re home to Oldham tomorrow. Nicky Adams joined them last month. I was always a big fan of his. He’s my kind of player. Oldham have struggled at home more than away. There’s less home advantage for teams this season with the lack of fans. But you can’t use that as an excuse when everybody’s in the same boat.

Next Tuesday we’re at Colchester, who’ve gone 13 games without a win and sacked their manager on Tuesday night. They’re both winnable games. There are no gimmes but, on paper, they don’t look as tough as Salford or Tranmere. Just a couple of results will put Carlisle right back up there, and the confidence would come back.

It sounds like there’ll be no fans in grounds again this season, except for maybe test events and the play-offs, and the Euros. They start on June 11. It will be interesting to see what happens with England v Scotland on June 18, three days before all restrictions are due to end.

Hopefully next season the game can get back to normality.

It was nice to see the banners that have been paid for by Carlisle fans and will be displayed on the terraces. It’s a great idea. It just shows how dedicated the fans are. And it’s nice to see myself on one of them. It means a lot. It’s nice to feel that fans remember you and did appreciate you.

I was here for 11 years over my two spells. Dick Young used to say to me “Enjoy it – it’s not a long career.” And he was right. It’s like a dream really when you look back on it. But it becomes part of your life even when you finish, with fans talking to you about it.