I can't believe that we are at the business end of the season. It's been a bit of a roller coaster ride and I know lots of Carlisle fans will be glad to see the back of it. From the opening day win at Bristol Rovers to the return fixture 6 months later we had changed our manager and 7 of the starting 11. Everyone knows this is not going to produce consistency. I am really pleased for one of those four players who played in both games - Ben Williams. Anyone trying to replace Westwood had a tough job to start with. I wonder how many of the fans who give Williams stick have actually played in goal themselves? Let's hope as his confidence grows, much the same as we saw with Westwood in his early career, he will go on to establish himself as a fans favourite. Van de Sar in particular has shown how crucial keepers are to good runs. I find it bizarre how managers can see fit to rest a keeper. For me if he's in good form, leave him in as confidence is such a major part of the game for a goalie.

Do you like multi-ball? I personally do as it speeds the game up. So why don't Carlisle use it? There is a serious advantage to be made of it for the home team if you play it right and I saw this first hand at Oldham. If the home team are on the attack and needing to score the spare ball is zipped straight away from ball boy to throw taker. Any other scenario, then it is slowed right down and in particular when the away team want the ball quickly, the ball boy acts all dumb and drops the ball, etc. Take note next time you watch a game. I believe the option to use multi-ball is with the home club.

One thing I don't particularly like is the loan system. It needs a serious shake up. Loans are meant to be for emergencies. Gareth Taylor is a great loan for us but how can Danny Graham being injured be an emergency when we have Bridges, Dobie, Madine and Anyinsah on the bench? The loan system is very much dependent on who you know. How are Hereford able to attract Man Utd players? If fewer loans were allowed, it is likely that bigger clubs would have fewer players on the books as I'm sure some buy up players just to stop other clubs having them. Rant over.

This may not be a popular opinion but I hope Leeds go up this season. It will surely make it easier next season for us to make a promotion push if they and Leicester are promoted. There is no longer any novelty in going to Elland Road and winning. I think they will learn from last season and make it through the play offs. Only Cheltenham are certainties to go down. The appointment of Russell Slade at Brighton might save them and allow us our yearly visit to the Evening Star. All the other teams are fighting hard. Their respective results against us will affect who makes the drop.

At least we probably don’t have to worry about relegation. Greg can use the remainder of the season to shape things for the future. There is likely to be a lot of player churn in the summer before we start it all over again. I myself am really looking forward to the last weekend of the season to take in the Millwall game and the awards Dinner and then have a rest. Mind you there is always the planning for next season.

Simon Clarkson