Carlisle United are set to sign Bradford City goalkeeper Harry Lewis, as reported by journalist Mike Keegan on Twitter (X).
Lewis has been ever-present in the Bradford net over the past two seasons, establishing himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the division in the process.
He’d play a huge part in the Bradford team which would make the play-offs last season, but they’d ultimately lose to Carlisle in the semi-finals after extra-time at Brunton Park.
The Cumbrians would be the eventual play-off winners, defeating Stockport County on penalties and thus earning themselves a place in League One.
However Paul Simpson’s side have not taken to the third tier how they would’ve liked and are currently involved in a relegation battle. Carlisle sit 23rd, with only strugglers Fleetwood Town below them, and having lost to Exeter City last weekend are now six points adrift from safety.
Although they may have had some goalscoring woes this season that position has already been addressed in January with the signing of Luke Armstrong from Harrogate Town. As you’d expect with a team so near to the foot of the table, the Cumbrians also have one of the worst defences in the league, letting the joint-third most goals in this season.
Although the blame can partly be put on the defence, it is in goal where the Blues have had the biggest problems, using three separate goalkeepers this year. Neither Tomáš Holy or Jökull Andrésson have been able to hold the number one spot down this season, with both goalkeepers making plenty mistakes in the first half of the season. Blues fans will not want to be reminded of those mistakes which have ultimately cost them plenty of points in the process.
As a result, Simpson handed 20-year-old Gabe Breeze his professional debut, although he is yet to really put a foot wrong, the manager believes that he is not yet ready to be the club’s number one.
It would make perfect sense for Carlisle to sign Lewis, as although not proven in the third tier, is one of the very best goalkeepers in League Two. The Blues haven’t kept a single clean sheet this season, something which never helps a team especially if they are poor in front of goal.
Lewis has already kept eight clean sheets this season for the Bantams this season, adding to his 18 from the season prior. He might just be the one to solve the Cumbrians’ goalkeeping woes.
Writer’s View
It is about time that Harry Lewis makes a step up in English football, and this could be the perfect opportunity to do so. With his contract expiring in the summer, it only makes a move more likely, with Bradford potentially wanting to cash in this January.
It would be a blow to the Bantams, but with plenty of the window left, it is a position that they can address. If the deal was to go through it would be a huge boost for Carlisle’s survival chances and with the club already signing a striker, midfielder and defender this window, Simpson would’ve addressed all the key areas that he would’ve wanted to.
Senior Editor
