Carlisle United boss excited by 'pure pace' of Norwich City loanee Omotoye and returning Patrick

The Blues manager reckons the speedy duo have added something the team needed.

Both impressed against Bradford City last weekend, with Norwich loanee Omotoye catching the eye from the start and Patrick coming off the bench to score on his second debut.

Millen, whose side face Crawley Town tomorrow, was quick to add the duo in the January transfer window and is hoping they will continue to make an impact for the Cumbrians.

“It’s pure pace, even though both have more to their games than that,” Millen said.

“We saw last Saturday that they are going to beat people, and I think that’s something we’ve needed.

“They add an extra dimension to what we’re doing and they fit the profile of the type of forward I was looking for.

“Omari can play in a wide area – he played in a front three when he was here, and he’s also played in a front two.

“With his pace and power I don’t want hm defending on the edge of our box, I want him as close to their goal as possible.

“I’ve had a week with him now where I’m getting to know him, he’s getting to know me, and he’s still getting over Covid, so he’s not 100 per cent; he’s got a little bit of an after-effect from that.

“I’m delighted to have them both here.”

Millen was delighted with how 19-year-old Omotoye acquitted himself on his debut.

Tyrese Omotoye

“I always think as a player, when you go to a new club, if you get off to a good start that really helps you settle into somewhere,” the manager said.

“The way Tyrese played on Saturday, getting the men-of-the-match award is the perfect start for him.

“We’ve managed to get him settled somewhere to live which is important. He’s in a good place.

“We’ve got a very good group of players here, I’ve got no worries about players going in there and being accepted. As a player you want to make an impact and that’s what they have done.”

Millen says a third January addition, full-back Joel Senior, has also caught the eye in training.

“Joel has come in, settled in, he travels with some of the players so he’s got to know them well, and he’s had the taster against Harrogate,” Millen said.

Joel Senior (photo: Richard Parkes)

“He [also] played really well in our practice game on Tuesday. He showed signs of what I want as an athletic full-back.

“He understands, like a lot of them, they’ve got to be a little bit patient because when you’ve won three games on the spin normally you don’t change too much.

“They might have to be a little bit patient and make sure they’re ready when the time comes.”

Senior has provided competition for experienced right-back Kelvin Mellor – who turned in an excellent performance in the 2-0 win over Bradford.

“I think that was probably Kelvin’s best game,” Millen added.

“He’s been consistent but overall that was his best game.

“Whether that is because someone else has come in to compete…great, that’s what you want.

“If it makes him a better player we’re all happy. That’s why you need competition for places, otherwise players get into a little routine and don’t really push themselves.”