Carlisle United swept Doncaster Rovers aside with a 3-0 win at Brunton Park – but what did we learn from the game?
Let’s take a closer look.
1 WINNING BY NUMBERS
Carlisle and Doncaster were level on points at the start of Saturday, but the gulf in performance and effectiveness was stark at Brunton Park.
The statistics underline an afternoon of Cumbrian dominance. In 90 minutes, Paul Simpson’s Blues mustered 23 attempts compared with Doncaster’s five.
Some 17 of these were from open play, with a further three from set-pieces, two from counter-attacks and the penalty which Ryan Edmondson had saved.
United’s ability on the break was particularly potent, both Jack Stretton’s goals coming from this route.
More broadly speaking, the numbers suggest it was Carlisle’s second best showing of the season in terms of quality chance creation in opposition territory.
Their expected goals (xG) rating for the game was 2.9, with only the opening day meeting with Crawley Town (3.1) producing a higher number (source: experimental361.com)
Positive stuff in every respect.
2 DIFFERENT DIMENSION
Carlisle are comprehensively answering the early-season question about where their goals would come from without Kristian Dennis.
Their top scorer was sidelined on Saturday, yet the Blues were no less potent, thanks to goals from Callum Guy and Jack Stretton.
It was the first time they'd scored three goals in successive league games since December 2018, Owen Moxon and Omari Patrick having done the damage at Hartlepool last Saturday.
A more unsung but certainly interesting figure in United’s latest strong showing was Dennis’s replacement, the fit-again Ryan Edmondson.
It was only his fourth league start, and just the second game he has completed since his summer move.
But there was enough on Saturday to demonstrate why the ex-Leeds man can give United’s forward play another dimension.
While Dennis has impressed with his canny movement and penalty-box instincts, Edmondson’s different attributes include an aerial strength which was on show against Doncaster.
The visitors had some big defenders in their ranks, notably ex-Blues loanee Tom Anderson and Ro-Shaun Williams, yet Edmondson won his share in the air to help United build a platform.
According to WhoScored.com, he won three aerial duels – more than anyone else on the pitch – whilst his pace and positivity also laid the ground for Guy’s excellent opener.
With Dennis expected back soon, the hard-working Stretton off the mark and Tobi Sho-Silva not far away, Simpson may have some fresh and fascinating striker decisions on his plate – with Edmondson back towards the forefront.
3 THE LOCK PICKER
Jordan Gibson might have left the field cursing that he didn’t get a goal. It’s just about the only thing he didn’t produce in the 3-0 win.
Otherwise, the midfielder was at the core of United’s creativity. It was a truly excellent, impactful showing.
Gibson is now on six league assists for the season, the equal best in the division, after picking up two against Doncaster.
One was not particularly plotted – a shot that Stretton deflected in – but the second certainly was; a threaded through-ball for the Derby loanee to finish.
That came off the back of his impressive assist for Patrick at Hartlepool.
Gibson scored highest of all Carlisle players in WhoScored.com stats, which note his four key passes in the game.
While he was a front-foot threat both centrally and on the right - where teenager Jack Ellis excelled in support - Gibson also contributed as many tackles as his fellow midfielders (Guy and Moxon), demonstrating his growing ability at the other side of the game.
A goal might have come had he not been substituted before United’s injury-time penalty. Until he gets off the mark, though, Gibson is certainly making decisive impact.
4 THE MELLISH MACHINE
If Jon Mellish continues playing like this, opponents will start to think they’re facing 12 men instead of 11.
The defender genuinely did the job of two players on Saturday: firstly on the left of United’s back line, and secondly – but by no means secondarily – driving forward, deep into Doncaster’s half.
When a game is poised, calling out to be broken open, these attributes cannot be underestimated.
Mellish had what Doncaster, for all their attempted passing play, did not: some hard-running, determined penetration.
Before United truly accelerated, he was often the man lifting the crowd with those bullocking runs from the back to the box, helping Carlisle create overloads against a sometimes passive away side.
In the second half, he played his part in both the second and third goals: acting like a winger to help create Stretton’s first, and then putting in a consummate tackle to allow Gibson to set up Stretton’s second.
Doncaster looked meek in comparison to United’s longest-serving player. It was magnificent, dynamic stuff from Mellish.
5 THE EXPECTATION GAME
Gary McSheffrey, the Doncaster boss, did not last beyond this morning. He has been sacked by the Yorkshire club in the wake of their heavy Brunton Park defeat.
They are just three points behind the Blues, still well within reach of the right end of the table.
Yet events on and since Saturday highlight the importance of momentum, and where your expectations come from.
Carlisle are continuing to ride the wave of positivity generated by Simpson’s a) return, b) inspired averting of relegation last season and c) guiding of United onto an encouraging nine-game unbeaten run.
Doncaster are adjusting after the drop from League One, yet have designs on making this stay in the fourth tier a short one. Hence their supporters’ vocal frustrating with McSheffrey on Saturday amid a placid performance.
United’s status of sixth after 13 games is probably not what many people (Simpson included) expected at this early stage of a fundamental rebuild.
Yet there they are, and looking further upwards. The navel-gazing, thank goodness, remains for other clubs so far this season.
The cleaner, brighter thoughts being generated by Simpson and his work could well keep United in those higher places.
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