Last updated at 11:49, Friday, 02 January 2015
Carlisle United boss Keith Curle today challenged out-of-favour players to follow the example of Antony Sweeney and play their way back into the team.
Sweeney has started the last four games since being transfer-listed along with seven other players, and the experienced midfielder’s return to form could prompt a change of heart by Curle, who was happy to let the midfielder go.
The summer signing from Hartlepool was told he could leave in the January transfer window, but was this week given a pat on the back by his manager, who is preparing to off-load players as he fights to keep the side in League Two.
Long-serving winger Matty Robson has also been told he can leave, along with summer signings Alex Marrow and Billy Paynter, Dave Symington, Josh Gillies, Sean O’Hanlon, and youth team player Connor Thomson, who is currently at Penrith.
Curle is going to have to wheel and deal in the transfer window by shipping out under-performing players to make way for new arrivals, but he insists there could still be a way back for players like Sweeney.
He said: “I said to all the players when they were put on the transfer list that wasn’t me closing the door, that was me giving them a kick up the backside and telling them they weren’t doing enough. They need to do more to get in my team.
“Antony Sweeney is a good professional, a tenacious midfield player, which is what we have needed, and he has stepped up to the plate. He has been performing and credit to him.
“Antony remains on the transfer list the same as the other players.
“We are not in a position at the minute where I’m totally happy with the whole midfield or the defence or attack.
“We are in a position now where there are only about four or five players I wouldn’t like to go.
“If I was able to wheel and deal and thought I could bring in better players, I’d listen to offers for players in key positions if I thought I was going to benefit us.
“Antony is playing at the top of his game. As a manager and coach you want your players to have that mindset that they have to perform.
“The other players in that changing room need to take a leaf out of Antony Sweeney’s book and see the door is open and step through it.
“Hard work, honesty, desire and willingness and an ability to go out on the pitch and do your job is all I’m asking of all the players in the changing room.”
Curle is preparing his squad as normal for tomorrow’s trip to Newport County after revealing his shock and disappointment at revelations some of his players stayed out drinking until 4am last Saturday morning – less than 48 hours before their shattering 3-0 defeat to York City. Six unnamed players who broke a strict club curfew have been disciplined by the club, and have been encouraged to make a public apology to fans.
Their behaviour has been condemned by many fans after a 5,716 crowd – the second highest home gate of the season – turned out to watch the loss.
The defeat saw the Cumbrians drop to 21st place in the League Two table – just two points above the relegation zone.
Curle claimed some of his players were “running on empty” after playing two games in three days over the festive period, unaware that some of them had been out partying after the 1-0 Boxing Day win at Morecambe.
The Blues boss has demanded a return to form tomorrow and is warning his players to expect a physical contest with Newport, who defeated Carlisle 3-2 at Brunton Park in November.
Curle said: “The Morecambe performance and result show how far we have come.
“Sunday’s result shows how far we have to go.
“We are a work in progress, but there are signs that things are coming together.
“Newport won’t be much different to when we played them at home as they are a physically strong, direct, aggressive and combative side who have belief in what they do.
“They have a style of play that they adapted through the non-league system that got them success and they have taken that into League Two.”
ALittle@cngroup.co.uk
First published at 11:45, Friday, 02 January 2015
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk