What did we learn from Carlisle United's draw with Crewe Alexandra?

Let’s take a closer look.

1 SOLID RECORD

Okay, Saturday at Brunton Park wasn’t a thriller – a “horrible” spectacle, in fact, in the words of Paul Simpson.

And yes, United’s attacking efforts left much to be desired.

It was a fourth clean sheet of the season for Tomas Holy (photo: Barbara Abbott) (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Yet it’s also fair to acknowledge the fact they are still far from pushovers right now, and that's progress from certain seasons past.

In fact, they are one of only four clubs left with an unbeaten home record in League Two after 11 games.

Stevenage, Bradford City, Mansfield Town and the Blues have yet to taste defeat on home soil.

Saturday was a fourth clean sheet this campaign, while United are unbeaten in seven league games now – their best such run since February-March 2018.

And their tally of one loss from 11 is the equal lowest in the EFL along with six other sides.

Before getting into the frustrations of a particularly stale stalemate, it’s right to recognise that a solid foundation certainly remains.

2 BY THE RIGHT

Analysis from WhoScored.com shows that Carlisle focused more of their attacking efforts down the right-hand side than any other area.

Especially in the first half, there were moments when Fin Back and Jordan Gibson drove into some good positions.

Fin Back on the attack (Image: Ben Holmes)

Some 44 per cent of United’s attacks were on the right of the pitch, competes with 34 per cent on the left and 22 per cent the middle.

They also attempted twice as many crosses as their visitors, who had the better of possession.

This didn’t, though, lead to any particularly good chances, while it’s also significant that, unlike against Grimsby Town last Tuesday, Carlisle rarely popped up with anything on the edge of the box, as this heat map shows…

Carlisle United's heatmap against Crewe. Source: WhoScored.com (Image: Other)

No player executed more than one dribble, or got more than one shot on target, while only one pass in the game – from Back – was classed as a “key pass”.

All in all, it was a below-par offering in terms of real attacking threat, true end product, as Simpson conceded in his post-match interviews.

3 HUNTINGTON THE LEADER

There were few arguments in Brunton Park when Paul Huntington was named man of the match on Saturday.

The big Cumbrian has wasted little time in becoming a central figure in United’s defence and team.

Paul Huntington wins another aerial battle (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Huntington made more than twice as many clearances as any other Blues player on Saturday.

He also led the way in successful aerial battles – whilst one challenge to dispossess a Crewe attacker in the first half was impeccably timed and testament to his experience and composure.

It is vital that, on the days when United are not particularly firing in the opposition half, their men at the back are on point.

Huntington, 35, is helping to ensure they are giving little away, and is increasingly looking the seasoned and effective addition Simpson hoped he’d be.

4 UNDERRATED ROD

Being honest, how often did Rod McDonald really let Carlisle United down?

Whatever supporters’ opinions, it’s undeniable that the centre-half had a very good return to Brunton Park on Saturday.

Rod McDonald, second right (photo: Ben Holmes) (Image: Ben Holmes)

It is true that United rarely extended McDonald – never truly turned him or dragged him into uncomfortable areas – but the Crewe man deserves credit for his showing all the same.

Along with fellow central defender Luke Offord, McDonald did not put a foot wrong and, on a day when Carlisle couldn’t come up with much creativity, everything was meat and drink to the 30-year-old.

There was little to be gained by aiming the ball long, as United sometimes did, with McDonald and Offord having the aerial upper hand over Jack Stretton and Kristian Dennis.

Other occasions, when maximum concentration was needed, McDonald was serene in his work, dropping the shoulder to get out of trouble, executing split-second judgement to calm a potentially tricky situation for Crewe.

The visiting fans sang his name, and the home fans perhaps had a renewed respect for the man who spent the previous two campaigns in a United shirt.

5 ENOUGH IN RESERVE?

There was welcome news on Saturday’s teamsheet with Morgan Feeney and Omari Patrick back from injury.

Patrick got a good run as a second half substitute whilst Feeney was unused.

Omari Patrick made a welcome return as a second-half sub (photo: Barbara Abbott) (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Any positive news on the fitness front will be gladly taken by United and Paul Simpson right now, who have done well to get around the play-off places with so many players out.

Hopefully the half-hour of action will help get Patrick back up to speed, while there can be little doubt that Feeney will be bringing his combative qualities back to the defence soon (though Corey Whelan had another sound game on Saturday).

Perhaps, though, this was one of those flat games where Carlisle could have done with one or two more of their best game-changing options in reserve.

After bringing on Patrick, Simpson later turned to Jayden Harris to replace a flagging Jordan Gibson on the right, while Taylor Charters was an injury-time swap for Callum Guy.

Again denied to Simpson, though, were potential catalysts such as Sonny Hilton (who had impressed the previous weekend), Ryan Edmondson, Tobi Sho-Silva and Jamie Devitt.

There's little point complaining over what you haven’t got. But the sooner United’s manager can look to his bench and see further attacking options, slow-going matches like Saturday’s will bring more possibilities for change.

6 DEBT DECISIONS?

Okay, this one isn’t about the game. You’ve probably had your fill of reading about a turgid 0-0 by now.

So let’s instead go back to the higher stuff – and another uneventful month having passed without any progress on United’s debt.

When will United's debt situation be resolved? (photo: Barbara Abbott) (Image: Barbara Abbott)

There is progress in one sense, it having been calculated that Carlisle’s loan from Purepay will accrue interest of more than £100,000 in 2022/23.

Yet otherwise…nothing. No steps, no developments, no discussions despite United having put forward repayment proposals months ago.

This remains the cloud above generally sunnier times at Brunton Park right now – a period where attendances are up, a hugely popular manager is in place, the team are in steady shape and other things around the club and on matchdays appear brighter.

So what can United’s owners do about the debt position? What is their next move to try and urge some action from the company connected to Philip Day, and which has a director (John Jackson) who is also on the CUFC Holdings board?

Amid the strange, frustrating silence, it would be good to hear more from the club’s top table on this soon, without having to wait for another fans’ forum.