I don't know Gavin Skelton personally but I know his family, and it will have been a really proud moment for all of them when he took charge of Carlisle United’s match at Port Vale.

His family have blue blood running through their veins and I would like to see Gavin have a productive career in management.

But with the position the Blues currently find themselves in, I’m not so sure now is the right time for the 38-year-old to be given the role in United’s hotseat permanently.

I’m not sure if he would be interested, but Owen Coyle strikes me as the sort of experienced, old head, which might be required.

Let’s be honest, the loan system is a big part of League Two football and I would like to see someone with his level of experience and his kind of contacts given the job.

On Saturday, Carlisle made a great start, with Ryan Loft netting early on, before the home team hit back after the restart through goals from David Worrall and ex-United striker Mark Cullen.

Both goals the Cumbrians conceded were disappointing but, when you are down towards the bottom of the league, this is what happens.

It’s an interesting time at the minute as we wait to find out who the next Blues boss will be after Steven Pressley left last week. But a third manager inside a year is a sign of a club in trouble.

I don’t think any side has a divine right to survive, just look at what has happened to Bury and the financial issues Macclesfield have had this season.

Hopefully, whoever gets the Carlisle manager’s job next can change things around quickly.

With the Cumbrians 20th in the league and only five points clear of bottom side Stevenage, there does have to be a rapid change in fortunes at Brunton Park in the near future, especially with Scunthorpe United having strung a decent run of league results together to edge ahead of United.

Carlisle’s crowd for their most recent home fixture, a 2-1 success over Macclesfield on November 2, was 3,880.

It has been sad, first of all to see attendances dip from 4,500 to 4,000, then under the 4,000 mark recently.

I think it’s going to take a string of good home results and performances to get people coming back. Once fans stop going, it can be hard to get them back because, nowadays, there are other activities they can do.

Especially at this time of year, supporters can stick on “Soccer Saturday” or “Final Score” and watch the results come in on their televisions in the warmth of their own home.

This weekend’s opponents, Cambridge, are in a similar kind of position to United, albeit seven places and five points better off.

It’s the sort of game the Blues should be aiming to win. I can’t see Colin Calderwood’s team bringing too many away supporters with them.

Tomorrow’s match is not quite a must-win game for United, but we are getting towards that sort of territory. Certainly, if the U’s claim the points on offer and move eight points clear of Carlisle, then that’s another team which are well clear of us.

It’s a crucial period coming up for the Cumbrians, with an FA Cup second-round tie at Forest Green Rovers to come next weekend.

Mark Cooper’s outfit lost 1-0 at home to Plymouth last weekend so, hopefully, they struggle to string results together over the next few weeks.