The panel at last Monday night’s Forum gave some interesting replies when they were quizzed about the attributes of the squad, with first team coach Paul Murray pointing out the need for players to be vocal when they are out on the pitch.
“I think we need more talkative players because they are a quiet group at the moment,” he said. “You want people like Clint Hill who are always giving a picture of what’s going on by talking to everybody else during the game.
“In other words you need players who are going to lead. You need players with drive and determination and someone to nail down the law and police it. It will come with these players because we’re reminding them all the time that they need to be telling each other what to do and they need to be demanding more and more.
“Players lead in different ways. Hallam [Hope] is quiet but he leads by example. He's been fantastic in everything he's done this pre-season. He leads by doing things that way, but we do need all of them to be more vocal.”
“I agree with that because the game has changed and people are quieter now,” manager John Sheridan said. “I think it's just football and the way it is at the moment. Players like Clint are hard to find.
“I'm hoping a few players realise that setting an example can be achieved just by being enthusiastic and determined.
“Other than that, I have said we need pace and a right-sided centre back. I think Jerry Yates will bring us that once he settles, and Regan Slater is dynamic in the way he plays. Hallam has bags of pace, along with Richie Bennett [he grinned as the audience laughed] ... yes, I was being sarcastic with that one!
“He’s a good kid but he needs to learn what his game is, and that's coming. With all of these lads I think we have goals in the team, just because of how we want to play.
“I've usually had a 20-goal a season striker, because I want them to be greedy. I don't like strikers chasing full backs down the pitch. I want them at the other end. That's how I work. They're there to score goals, so I want my forwards high up.
“I think Hope has 14 or 15 goals in him, same with Bennett, and I think Yates has goals in him as well.”
“I've watched Carlisle a lot these last few years, and I know some might not agree with this, but I'm disappointed that Reggie Lambe left,” assistant manager Tommy Wright commented. “He had something different. However, I think Hallam Hope is one of the best attacking players in this division.
“He’s direct and he isn’t frightened to run with the ball. If it goes wrong for him he gets the ball and tries again. That’s a sign of having a bit of confidence in what you’re being asked to contribute.”
“In terms of creativity, we have some good players in there,” the manager added. “Mike Jones is a very good player and we want him to be forward looking.
“George Glendon is one who I'm expecting big things from. He held his own in a very good Fleetwood team and I think he could be one for us to look out for.
“I know Regan Slater looks like a little mascot, but what a player he could be. Kelvin Etuhu can add us more, he's a great player, and Jamie Devitt is another who has a lot to offer for us. There's quite a few of them, so it's up to me to play a system that suits us and to pick the right players to implement it.”
And when asked about Macaulay Gillesphey, and where the coaching staff feel he will be best utilised, the manager said: “It’ll be funny if we all disagree! Whatever we all think he'll play where I pick him to play for whatever role I feel best suits him at that time.
“I think he’s best as a left-sided centre back and I really do think there's a top player in there. He's very quiet, but he could be a top, top player if he can find the belief in himself.
“One thing he has to do is defend better. That needs to come, but he knows that as much as anybody.”
“For me, he doesn't know he's the best passer at this club,” Tommy Wright interjected. “He is a fantastic passer of the ball and he needs to start believing that. He can be a top player, and he can become a huge asset. We could make money on him. The biggest thing is, does he believe it and does he believe in himself?
“If he does, he can do what he wants and, in my opinion, he could easily be a holding midfielder, with his height and ability.”
Click HERE to watch an interview with John Sheridan on iFollow United now.
Click HERE to see a clip from this interview on our YouTube channel. Follow the same link for more FREE content right from the heart of the club.