Carlisle United 0 Norwich City 1

Oct 11 2009 by Mark Douglas, Sunday Sun

GREG ABBOTT hopes that former Stoke striker Vincent Pericard will solve Carlisle United’s woes in front of goal after another frustrating afternoon at Brunton Park.

The Cumbrians were consigned to their fourth home defeat of the season against Norwich City thanks to Wes Hoolahan’s first-half goal that followed a defensive mistake, meaning it was another tale of what might have been for Abbott’s men.

The dangerous Joe Anyinsah and Scott Dobie missed decent chances to level the score during a second half in which Carlisle huffed and puffed but never really threatened Paul Lambert’s improving Canaries.

Pericard, a former France under-21 striker, was an interested onlooker and after the game a frustrated Abbott revealed that he hoped to complete a deal for him on Monday.

“He’s an absolute beast of a man. There is a chance that he will commit to us on a short-term basis and hopefully by Monday it will be resolved,” Abbott said.

“If he does well he might go up to Championship level, if he just does OK then he might stay, but we want to see him.

“We only get them here if he’s got an issue and that is his injury. But he’s got definite quality and he’s only 27 years of age. If you add that to Joe and Richard (Offiong) and Scott Dobie, it gives us better options.”

Signing Pericard would be a fillip for the Cumbrians, who edged possession and chances in the first half but could not force the ball into the net.

Lively winger Matty Robson went close to knocking in an Ian Harte corner on 17 minutes and again went close 10 minutes later when he cut inside smartly after a fine run – only to see on-loan Newcastle ’keeper Fraser Forster save well at his near post.