Carlisle United Boss Makes Transfer Claim

Carlisle United manager, Paul Simpson, has insisted that he wants another goalkeeper in the ranks for next season, in order to create further healthy competition.

Following the announcement of their retained list, the Blues have two ‘keepers under contract at the club. Those being youngster Gabe Breeze and January signing Harry Lewis. The latter has been the number one for the second half of the season and has struggled for consistency, he didn’t however get much help from statistically the worst defence in the league in front of him though.

There were no less than four starting goalkeepers for the Cumbrians, with former number one Tomáš Holy and loanee Jokull Andrésson also appearing for the first team. Perhaps the most impressive was 20-year-old Breeze, who looks to be one for the future at the current point.

With Holy being one of the names on the released list and Andrésson returning to Reading, his parent club, there is space in the ranks for another goalkeeper and Simpson has already outlined his plans.

Carlisle fans will be hoping for a better season in the calmer waters of League Two having suffered relegation after a torrid season in the third tier. Recruitment needs to be spot on and by the sounds of it, the manager has already given it plenty of thought.

In an interview with the News & Star, Simpson explained his plans for signing a new goalkeeper this summer.

“I want somebody who is in between Harry and Gabe in terms of experience and age.

“I’ve got an ideal scenario. I had an ideal scenario last year – we had a Premier League goalkeeper coming in on a loan, it was done and dusted, and then all of a sudden it got thrown in that he hadn’t agreed a new deal, so he wasn’t allowed to come out.

“We had other goalkeepers that we had lined up and it didn’t happen, so I have an ideal scenario of who I would like to come in to make the goalkeeping department stronger, because I do think you need to have three.

Speaking on the current goalkeepers within his ranks, the manager expected improvements going into next season.

“Gabe (Breeze) has worked incredibly hard with our strength and conditioning department to try and get himself in a really strong, physical state. His challenge to keep doing that work. There have already been huge improvements in him.

“He’s got to come back [in pre-season] and show he deserves to be considered or a first-team role – just like if we can get a third goalkeeper who will be challenging.”

“I fully expect Harry (Lewis) to come back in a different state of mind,” he said. It’s been a tough six months for Harry, but there is a very, very good goalkeeper there.

“We probably haven’t protected him enough as a team but I honestly think if get a good strong goalkeeping department, led by a new goalkeeping coach, I expect us to be stronger.”

Writer’s View

One of the many problems that Carlisle had in the third tier was not having a consistent goalkeeper. The fact that four different ‘keepers started last season says it all and no one exactly set the world alight.

Harry Lewis simply has to improve next season as he didn’t really build on the promise he’d shown prior to his January move. He could be pushed in pre-season by Breeze, who at just 20 will only get better.

It’s set to be a summer of change in Cumbria with multiple first-team players leaving Brunton Park and the club are expected to be very busy with their new signings to give themselves the best chance of an immediate promotion.

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