It was a great win at Cambridge last Saturday. I’m pleased for Lewis Alessandra, getting his first goal for Carlisle.

He’s not prolific, but he holds the ball up and brings people into the game. 

We’ve only lost one game in the last nine now, and Chris Beech has done well. He’s a really down to earth guy. People have taken to him. He doesn’t go on about systems and ‘diamonds’.

He keeps it simple. People at this level like that, rather than having things made needlessly complicated. 

We’ve talked about how the defence has improved. Now we’re talking about a team effort.

The three sections of the team are coming together. We’ll be going into tomorrow’s game against Colchester with the positive mentality that comes from an unbeaten run.

The players will be looking forward to it rather than having the pressure of being desperate for results, which could be what we need to get that great home performance. 

I think Beech will admit he would give a lot for a really good home win. That’s the one thing we’re still short of.

It’s not for the want of trying. We always battle. And we look fitter. A lot of that is psychological, knowing you can come back from a losing position. 

I can understand Beech saying we’re not safe yet. I’d be the same until it was mathematically certain. But they can play with more freedom now. 

These two home games, with Newport to come on Tuesday night, are a real chance to move towards mid-table.

Byron Webster is suspended for them both, but that’s just football. It gives somebody else a chance.

Fair play to the lad. He’s had a lot of stick. But since the turn of the year, playing alongside Aaron Hayden, he’s looked a different player. 

The Newport game is rearranged from January, when both teams were in the third round of the FA Cup.

This week, the fifth-round ties have been played in midweek for the first time. I’m probably old-fashioned. But even the final being moved to a 5.15pm kick-off annoys me. They don’t think of northern fans having to travel.

It’s led by TV and by the biggest clubs. Europe is everything to them now. They’re wanting fewer domestic games.

I think we’re the only country that still has two major domestic cup competitions, and it wouldn’t surprise me if the League Cup went. 

Neil Dalton has announced he’s leaving Brunton Park after many years as physio. I’ve known Dolly since he was a boy.

I liked him as a player. He had a sweet left peg. I’d like to wish the lad good luck. He’s been popular here and done well. 

And I’m pleased to see Workington Reds still at the top of the table. It’s good for the county to have Workington and Barrow doing well. 

My granddaughter Caitlin is doing work experience with the physio team at Borough Park. She’s in her second year of a three-year sports rehabilitation course at Lancaster University. 

Danny Grainger and the team have made her really welcome. I don’t know Danny but I always liked watching him play. He wore his heart on his sleeve, and I’m not surprised to see him doing well as a manager.

Carlisle United's legendary winger George McVitie was talking to Roger Lytollis.