Simplicity is key to success

May 12 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

KIEREN Westwood has revealed the secret of John Ward’s success at Carlisle United this season – changing as little as possible at Brunton Park.

But, while the 23-year-old goalkeeper is revelling in life in possibly the most high-profile League One ever, the prospect of changing divisions next season excites him even more than the thought of playing at Elland Road in tonight’s play-off semi-final first leg.

Three years ago on Wednesday, Westwood was on the bench as the Cumbrians beat Stevenage Borough in the Conference play-offs to escape England’s non-leagues. Today he is on the brink of the Championship.

Carlisle’s rise has been based around a core of Westwood, Peter Murphy, Chris Lumsdon and Danny Livesey (pictured right), who have been at the club throughout. Yet they have had four different managers. According to Westwood, Ward has found a simple solution since replacing Greg Abbott in October.

“He’s not changed things too much,” Westwood said. “Why change things when they don’t need fixing? Simmo (Paul Simpson) put most of the groundwork in when he was manager and I think the gaffer and Neil McDonald have carried it on. Neither of them have changed things very much.

“John Ward’s a different person to the other two, though, and he’s brought his own qualities. He brought Cheltenham up through the play-offs in 2005-06 so he knows what needs to be done.

“This could be my third promotion in four years but at 23 I don’t know about me passing on my experience.”

Westwood and Livesey, who returns from suspension tonight, were named in the PFA’s League One Team of the Year this season. Former Manchester City youth-teamer Westwood added: “There’s a core of players who’ve been here throughout. It means we’ve got good continuity. All the lads like each other and look after each other.”

Westwood enjoys the attention Leeds United’s presence has brought to the division so the prospect of rubbing shoulders with even bigger clubs next term appeals. “It’s been exciting to be part of League One this season because with clubs like Leeds and Nottingham Forest there’s been a lot more attention,” he said. “There’s a few games on Sky now. The prize of winning the play-offs and playing in the Championship at places like Wolves and Sheffield United is a big one. A lot of people say we’re the underdogs but we’ve not been out of the top six all season. But we’re a set of young lads with no fear.

“There’ll be 38,000 there, it will be live on TV and Elland Road is a lovely arena to play in so I’m looking forward to it.” Carlisle limped to the end of the season proper with one win in their last eight games. But Ward gave his players four days off last week and that, along with Livesey’s return, should revitalise them says Westwood. “We definitely needed a rest,” he added.

“Last Saturday was my 52nd game of the season and I’m hoping to play in my 55th. The same players have played the majority of games for us this season.’’