March 2011

Adam Collin: Despite conceding four goals, Adam was probably our best player in the final last year! We signed him in 2009 from Workington Reds and he established himself as our first choice goalkeeper midway through last season. He’s a penalty saving expert (As he proved in the 2010 semi final against Leeds) so if the game goes to penalties, I’ll be quietly confident!

Frank Simek: Frank has been a fantastic signing for Carlisle this season, and key to our progress in the JPT this season. He hasn’t missed a game in any competition this season, and even scored the winning penalty against Port Vale in Round 2! He signed from Sheffield Wednesday in the summer, and was previously a USA international!

Matty Robson: In last years final Matty was a left winger, but as our only left footed player he’s been pulled back to left back. He’s full of pace and is deadly in attack as well as being solid in defence. He signed from Hartlepool in 2009 and player over 60 games last season, including all the JPT games.

Lubomir Michalik: Lubomir (or Lubo) originally signed on a half season loan from Leeds in August. It looked unlikely he would stay beyond that, but Greg managed to pull off a coup and bring him in on a free transfer. He’s scored in two JPT games already this season, and will hope to add to that at Wembley. His 6’7 figure scares any opposing striker, and he is a danger from corners.

Peter Murphy: Despite being our longest serving player, Peter is often the focus of fans criticisms. This wasn’t helped by his deliberate handball in last years final! He is our top scorer in the JPT this season with three goals to his name, including a brace against Crewe in the Area Quarter Final. He may not start at Wembley, but is very likely to be in the squad.

Liam Cooper: Liam joined on loan in January, and to be honest I’d never heard of him! He’s proved to be a fantastic acquisition. He kept out one of the best attacking teams in the league in Huddersfield in the Area Final 1st Leg, and despite picking up an injury, he is now back to full fitness and competing for a place in defence.

Danny Livesey: Danny has been with us since our Conference season, and has been a rock in defence throughout. He’s had his fair share of injuries, and has hardly featured at all this season. He missed out on Wembley last season through injury, so will be very keen to feature this time.

Tom Taiwo: As a teenager, Tom was in the centre of controversy during his transfer from Leeds to Chelsea, but has somehow ended up at Carlisle. He originally signed on loan last season, but the deal was made permanent later on in the season. He’s a tough tackling midfielder who has picked up his fair share of bookings this season. Fingers crossed he won’t be suspended for Wembley!

James Berrett: Greg Abbott was quoted as saying ‘A friend of mine knew James, and said that if I could get him on a free, I should drive to Huddersfield and bring him up myself!’ Carlisle fans will be glad Greg did that, as he has proved an invaluable player this season. After Ian Harte’s departure, James has turned into our set piece taker, and his deliveried have layed on a great number of goals this season.

Paul Thirlwell: Paul is an experienced head in an otherwise relatively young squad. He is often deployed in the anchor role in midfield, and is excellent at supporting the defence. He doesn’t score many goals, but the ones he does score are fantastic! He featured at Wembley last year, and will hope to do the same this season.

Liam Noble: Liam was a bit like Liam Cooper, I had never heard of him when he signed. He joined on loan from Sunderland in January having never made a professional start. When I saw he was in the starting XI against Huddersfield in the Area Final, I was slightly surprised, but he had a fantastic game and proved my doubts wrong. Greg reckons he can tie up a permanent deal for him, and I certainly hope he can.

Ben Marshall: Ben has been on loan at Carlisle for a season and a half now! He missed out on last years final through being cup tied , but is very likely to feature this year. He can play on the wing or behind the strikers, and has chipped in with a number of important goals this season (including his Ultimate Finish nominated goal against Sheffield Wednesday). Unfortunately, Stoke rate him highly, so it looks unlikely he will spend any more time at Carlisle after this season.

Francois Zoko: Greg took a shot in the dark by signing Francois, but its definitely payed off! He works his socks off up front and scored his fair share of goals as well. He became an instant fans favourite with a number of terrace chants already being created ,a particular favourite of mine being a parody of ‘Theres No Limits’ replacing No No with Zoko. He even challenged Wayne Rooney by scoring an overhead kick against Hartlepool

Craig Curran: Craig joined from Tranmere in the summer, and at the start of 2011 he was in deadly form, having scored only 2 before. He has scored a number of fantastic goals including a beauty at Hillsborough to give us a deserved win over Sheffield Wednesday. His work rate is fantastic and despite not getting as many goals as other strikers will, he lays on a lot of chances for other players.

Rory Loy: Rory signed from Rangers in January, ending our search for Gary Madine’s replacement. He has only scored one so far, but has been kept out the side by the impressive form of Zoko and Curran. Big things were expected of him at Rangers, but for some reason he never got his breakthrough. He may well have broken into the side by the time Wembley comes around, and hopefully he’ll be banging in goals.

Nakhi Wells: I don’t think anybody other than Carlisle fans will have heard of Nakhi. He was found at a soccer academy and was recommended to Greg by a friend. He is a Bermudan international and was previously at a club called Dandy Town Hornets! He made his debut as a substitute against Southampton, but is yet to start a game.

Paddy Madden: Paddy was signed from Bohemians in January for a fee reported to be around £80,000. He is yet to make a start for Carlisle, but is definitely one for the future. He was very prolific in the Irish leagues, scoring at Bohemians and during loan spells away from the club. He is unlikely to start at Wembley, but may well be on the bench.