Carlisle United's assistant head coach Louis Storey has labelled the team's set-piece defending as unacceptable after it cost them two points against Forest Green Rovers. A soft goal conceded from a corner in the eighth minute led to a 1-1 draw at Brunton Park on Tuesday, leaving the Cumbrians 14th in the National League with 10 points from eight games.

Storey did not hold back in his assessment. "We all know, and we're not shying away from it, it's not good enough and it hasn't been good enough," he said. Kyle Kelly's early header for Forest Green was the latest in a series of preventable goals that have undermined Carlisle's otherwise solid open-play performances. The team has now conceded 13 goals this season, with a significant portion coming from dead-ball situations. The team's overall stats show they have conceded an average of 1.6 goals per game, a figure heavily influenced by these lapses.

The search for solutions

Storey explained that the coaching staff, including head coach Rob Elliot and goalkeeper coach Jack Cudworth, are constantly reviewing their defensive organisation. They have reverted to the successful set-up used last season under Cudworth's oversight but tweak it for each opponent. The assistant believes the issue may be psychological, stemming from a lack of clarity or anxiety in the moment. He stressed the need for collective improvement in winning aerial duels, making stronger contact in the box, and defending second balls better after the initial clearance.

Open conversations with the players are planned to address the problem head-on. Storey is confident that fixing this one area would transform the team's momentum, much like a striker finding their scoring touch. The recent form guide shows a pattern of draws, with the last five results reading DDLWD. Looking ahead at the fixtures, the immediate focus is on eradicating the set-piece errors that have plagued the start of the campaign before the next match.

Positives in performance

Despite the defensive lapse, there were bright spots. Micah Obiero, making his first league start, scored a 29th-minute equaliser to cap an encouraging display. "I'm over the moon for him," Storey said of the young forward. "He's continued from where he left off with Wealdstone." Substitute Leo Duru also made a positive impact on the right flank after being rested due to the physical demands of playing two tough games in four days.

Storey pointed to the second-half performance, where Carlisle looked more like themselves, controlled the game and created chances, as a sign of progress. He acknowledged that attackers might be overthinking in front of goal but backed the squad's quality and depth, which is detailed in the full squad list. The use of players like Ryan Galvin off the bench to counter specific threats demonstrated a flexible approach.

The assistant remains process-driven, believing that sustained performances will bring results. Carlisle's next match is a key opportunity to turn the screw and start converting their performances into three points.

Read the full report at Yahoo Sports UK