Carlisle United's Harry Lewis IS a good goalkeeper, who just needs protecting, according to manager
Paul Simpson made the comments ahead of the derby match against Barrow.
Last updated 16th Aug 2024
Since January few players for Carlisle United have come under the same amount of scrutiny as current number 1 Harry Lewis.
The keeper has found his first 8 months of the club undoubtedly challenging, facing relegation, and losing in his first game in league 2 with the Blues.
However, manager Paul Simpson still has faith the ex-Bradford keeper will come good for the club, with little pointing towards him potentially being dropped.
He said: "There was scrutiny after the weekend because of that first goal, but I think that's a hangover from last season if I'm honest.
"Because of our results last season, everyone wants someone to blame, and Harry was the brunt of much of that. Sometimes it's justified, sometimes it's not.
"He got criticised for not coming to punch after 2 minutes at Gillingham, but I thought on Tuesday night he responded in the right way.
"He's come under scrutiny from me as well, I spoke to him in the dressing room and was firm about it, but I thought his reaction, and the way he went about it on Tuesday was positive.
"He was front foot, he took a cross, punched a cross, made right decisions, came out narrowed angles and made good blocks. He was unlucky in the second goal because he was positive in the way he tried to close the space down and another day that ball spins wide of the post.
"Harry has played a lot of games. I think and believe he is a good goalkeeper but we've got to make sure we do more in front of him to protect him more than we have done so far. Certainly more than we did last season.
"Fingers crossed we get results, we get clean sheets and he takes more confidence from that."