Carlisle United manager's praise for keeper Gabe Breeze

The young Cumbrian has enjoyed a solid start to first-team life after three games in Carlisle United’s goal.

Breeze tasted victory on his home debut when a key double save in the second half featured in the Blues’ 2-1 win over Port Vale on New Year’s Day.

It followed away outings at Fleetwood Town and Wigan Athletic as Simpson opted for the academy product in place of senior No1 Tomas Holy.

“He’s got a calmness about him. I’m really enjoying watching him,” said Simpson of the 20-year-old from Penrith.

“He makes me feel calm watching him.

“I think the lads in front are really protecting him as well which is good.

The 20-year-old from Penrith has started United's last three games (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“He made that double save, [although] I don’t think he’s had a hell of a lot to do in the three games and he’s probably unlucky to have conceded the goals because he couldn’t do a lot with them.

“But I’m pleased with what he’s done so far. He’s a young, developing goalkeeper and hopefully he’ll keep developing.”

Simpson is on record as wanting to add another senior keeper to his squad during the January transfer window.

He is making attempts to sign a gloveman after a series of costly mistakes by Holy and with loanee Jokull Andresson also making errors before suffering the injury that is keeping him out until later this month.

Asked if Breeze’s early showings might make the decision to field another keeper more difficult, Simpson said: “He’s done enough so far to deserve to play in the team.

Breeze put in another solid showing against Port Vale (Image: Ben Holmes)

“But it’s an area of the group that I need to improve and strengthen, so I’m still working to try and do that.

“But there are lots of areas we need to change and strengthen and that’s what the challenge is over the next few weeks.”

Simpson, meanwhile, has praised Jack Robinson for his latest influential display in the United side.

The versatile defender had a key part in both United’s goals against Port Vale, winning the penalty which saw Jordan Gibson equalise, and then setting up Jon Mellish’s winner from a corner.

While Robinson has played in midfield recently, on Monday he was preferred to Jack Armer in a more familiar role at left wing-back.

“He’s shown character from the first day he came to the club,” said Simpson of the ex-Middlesbrough man, who joined Carlisle permanently last summer after a loan spell the previous campaign.

Jack Robinson was influential in the Port Vale win (Image: Ben Holmes)

“Jack Armer was consistent last season so he deserved to stay and I also felt he deserved to start the season.

“The way Jack Robinson has played, the quality he gives us in crosses, is the reason I’ve gone with him [against Port Vale].”

Simpson also recalled Gibson for Monday’s win after leaving him on the bench for the previous two outings.

The manager says he felt he was not getting enough from the top scorer in recent games, but was pleased with his contribution on New Year’s Day, which included his eighth goal of the season.

Explaining his tactics and selection, Simpson added: “I wanted to go back to playing a back three because it’s a system that’s worked for us – I felt it gave us a bit of security.

“I wanted some legs in midfield and I felt we got that with Taylor [Charters] and Mox [Owen Moxon], and I needed creativity, people who can actually create.

“Jordan Gibson’s been left out because in my opinion, and the data shows, he hasn’t put the shift in that I wanted him to do.

“[On Monday] I felt we needed that creativity but he also worked really hard, and he’s got to do that.

“We can’t have one like that and then one where he doesn’t bother running – we need it every single game and that’s what he has to demand.”