IT’S MILLER TIME FOR THE BLUES
CARLISLE United have a goal threat throughout their team according to boss Keith Curle, after he watched the Cumbrians sweep Cheltenham aside at Brunton Park.
Harry Pell’s own goal, Reggie Lambe’s header and Tom Miller’s brilliant strike fired Carlisle to victory – their third in a row since losing to Swindon on the opening day.
But Curle admits he does not mind who is scoring the goals, as long as the team are continuing to win games and play attractive football.
“Tom Miller had a reputation for goals when he was at Lincoln and he is a threat,” Curle said.
“He showed composure and so did Tom Parkes to set him up for his shot.
“We have a goal threat throughout the team which is pleasing, but I don’t really care who puts the ball over the line.
“The biggest thing about this club is keeping a winning mentality and keeping people entertained. Goals will come from a number of players.
“Confidence can grow from it. We competed well and had good cover and positional play. Those good principals showed good understanding from the players.”
Carlisle were ahead after just five minutes, when Pell – at full stretch – could only turn Tom Miller’s header into his own net.
Lambe doubled the lead on 17 minutes, heading in from Danny Grainger’s left-wing cross after Nicky Adams pounced on Jamie Grimes’ disastrous clearance from defence.
It could have been three on 32 minutes, but Will Boyle dived in to block Adams’ goal-bound shot and Richie Bennett fired wide from the rebound.
Shaun Miller was next to be denied – this time it was Carl Winchester who stuck out a leg to deflect his low, left-footed strike behind on 52 minutes.
But namesake Tom did add a third on the hour, curling into the top corner from the edge of the box after Tom Parkes’ short pass.
And Cheltenham boss Gary Johnson admitted his team’s performance had fallen well below the levels expected.
“It’s always hugely disappointing when you get beat,” he said.
“It wasn’t that the lads didn’t put in the effort, just on the day we didn’t have the ability to create enough chances and stop their chances.
“We didn’t start very well. For the first 20-25 minutes we were absolutely… poor, very poor.
“They got their noses in front as it were and we couldn’t wrestle the game back.
“The players all know I was disappointed, they all know they have to watch their individual videos now and I think a lot of them will see they didn’t do enough early enough.”