Paul Simpson has shed light on the selection decisions he made for Carlisle United’s play-off first leg at Bradford City - as he weighs up his second leg response.
The Blues boss recalled Joel Senior and Joe Garner at Valley Parade, at the expense of Jack Robinson and Kristian Dennis.
United’s boss also moved Corey Whelan to the left of the central defensive three as Ben Barclay moved inside to the right of that unit.
With Jack Armer moving back to left wing-back, it saw Simpson make certain alterations from the side he had sent out at Sutton United in Carlisle’s final game of the league season.
United’s boss must now weigh up the best way to line up for the Brunton Park second leg after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat.
On his tactical choices at Valley Parade, the Blues boss said: “I just felt as though I wanted to look at Jack Armer at centre-back last week because it's the best place to look at him, in a proper game at Sutton.
“I felt as though, although I thought Jack Robinson did well for us, it took a little bit away from us in terms of having Jack out of it [in that wing-back position].
“And then it was a case of who goes into the extra centre position.
“Ben Barclay is a centre-back who's done really well at wing back, but I just felt it was a game for Joel to give us that proper balance down the right hand side.
“And I felt with Joe, he was going to give us a base to build from, somebody who could get hold of the ball, somebody who could be a nuisance up there.”
Simpson must now decide whether to stick with the same side on home soil or whether to respond with further changes as Carlisle chase the tie.
The likes of Dennis, Ryan Edmondson, Taylor Charters and Jordan Gibson – who all came off the bench on Sunday – could come into Simpson’s thinking.
So could John-Kymani Gordon, with the Crystal Palace loan striker now available after completing a three-game suspension.
Things remain finely poised after the narrow first leg defeat and Simpson admits there is little between the sides.
“I think the league table shows that – there's only five goal difference,” he said.
“Our records are virtually identical, except for us scoring five more.
“[On Sunday] we didn’t shown that, but I was really pleased with the chances we created.
“We've had quite a few games where we haven't created enough. This time we created more than enough to go and win the game.
“It didn’t happen, so hopefully we're saving it for this weekend and we've got to play with the same energy, the same desire, the same commitment, the same composure on the ball.
“If we do that at home, I think we've got a hell of a chance.”
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