Mike Williamson has admitted he could shake up Carlisle United‘s lineup this weekend following a positive showing in the FA Cup.
The Blues were knocked out by Wigan Athletic at Brunton Park but the former MK Dons boss was pleased by the performances of many of the players he rotated in for that game.
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A big decision to make is in the goalkeeping department, with academy stopper Gabe Breeze being handed his third start of the season against Wigan and looked like a good fit into the side, having also received praise from Latics boss Shaun Maloney. Current first-choice Harry Lewis has looked shaky since his arrival from Bradford City in January, with a few prominent mistakes including against Cheltenham Town last week.
“Everyone that has come in [against Wigan] has done well and that’s all they can do when they get opportunities.
“I know game time has been difficult for some, the likes of Jack Robinson and Jack Ellis, and others people coming back from injury.
“It’s been hard and all you can do is try and stay your claim – and Gabe’s done that. He’s put a real performance in, so yes, I’m going to have decisions to make.”
Breeze had previously been the starting goalkeeper for a four-game stint at the end of 2023 and the first matches of 2024 before Paul Simpson signed Lewis. Since then his only starts have come in their EFL Trophy games this season coincidentally also against Wigan and Nottingham Forest’s academy.
Carlisle travel to Salford City this weekend as they desperately seek to translate their positive performance into their League Two matches and hope to close the four-point gap to safety.
Writer’s View
Mike Williamson needs to be bold with his decisions to try and get some crucial points on the board and perhaps a change between the sticks is the choice he should make. Harry Lewis is certainly a ‘confidence keeper’ with his performances at Bradford City coinciding with a positive atmosphere and a good run which led them into the playoffs two seasons ago. He has not been at his best at Brunton Park and a swap to a Cumbrian-born academy player would be popular with the fans at a time when they are extremely unhappy with how results are going on the pitch.
1st Class Honours in Multimedia Journalism at Salford University. Writing mainly about League Two.
