Carlisle United fans gave us their views on X after the 2-1 defeat to Grimsby Town in Mark Hughes' first game in charge.

Here is a selection of their comments.

Really poor. Defensively that was as ragged we’ve looked away from home since Wimbledon. Not sure the change to a back 4 this late into a season is wise. So many gaps. (@cufcstuff)

Just needs to get his strongest side out there! Hugill upfront on his own is quite 1 dimensional, you can talk about defenders and midfielders but scoring is becoming an issue! Either go two up top and look a bit more menacing like Grimsby! (@MichaelNig75320)

We’ve stopped playing it around at the back but that’s the end of the positives. We offered little going forward and it was inevitable when they scored the winner. We desperately need to start putting points on the board before one of Morecambe or Tranmere start to find some form (@Wisey6575)

Worst referee this season? 2 stonewall pens turned down for some reason. Look forward to our letters from PGMOL. Harris should've scored that one before the hand ball and it's a totally different game. Their first comes from messing around and sideways passes on their box (@Cazzum01)

Actually didn't think we played [badly]. Defence obviously needs some tweaking but that won't happen overnight. The ref has cost us today simple as (@Tomw0892)

Terrible ref that cost us to a point, performance was poor and defensively so weak hopefully Hughes can turn it around on Tuesday (@james_cufc2000)

Horrendous referee, but still not the best performance. He’s got his work cut out! 17 to go (@Ges14)

Ultimately if we score one of the three blatant penalties we weren’t awarded (or Harris tucks it inside the post rather than against it) then their scandalous (and it was scandalous) penalty doesn’t matter. (@jpastalker)

Same old, same old, except with Breeze kicking long (and no-one holding it up). Ponderous build up & very little goal threat. Looks like the failure to sign a decent L2 strike force will relegate us. Grimsby looked bigger, stronger, fitter and quicker of thought. (@MikeEwins)

Expected more aggression from our players but was disappointed. We were second best most of the game as Grimsby wanted it more. The ref was pathetic but we are the authors of our own downfall. Certain players should man up, I'm sure Hughes will sort the wheat from the chaff. (@peterjo91525330)

Yes I understand that we may have played better. But I beg for us to go to basics with a 4-4-2 and then in pre season we can practice these Fifa Football Formations. (@RealMrGrumps)

Mark allowed Grimsby too much width as both our LB and RB were left isolated defensively too often. Hugill had no service and wasn't able to hold up play when he did have it. Transitions need A LOT of work. (@CoachKGaming)

Mark Hughes on the touchline at Grimsby (Image: Richard Parkes)

Ultimately ya can’t sit back for long sustained periods of the game and expect 3 points, however all this completely overshadowed by the pure incompetence of that referee. Hard enough to win as it is (@Invisiblebear84)

Another frustrating day in what's been a frustrating couple of years, not sure how it’ll turn out tbh, ref was Trevor Kettle's son, ex ref and it’s obviously in the family genes reffing badly (@keithelliott94)

Really concerned after that. I understand it's Hughes' 1st game but couldn't agree with BBCRC's view & I usually do. It was different, certainly. But it was a not a better different. Bright start, then the inevitable. Yes, different. But just a different way to lose a game. (@BackoSkiddaw)

Second set of players this season and 3rd manager, when does someone realise the formation is all wrong, it’s not a fluke or just a few games why we’re not winning. We read the Piataks want to play this way, Clarkson wants to play this way, ITS NOT WORKING WAKE UP !!!!!! (@Alistairwest145)

The more things change the more they stay the same (@icantstartnow)

Ref cost us the game that’s it (@liamedmo11)

If MH thought this was a tough ask when he signed up he now knows it’s an almost impossible task. I’m so frustrated after watching that, yes the ref was crap but I just can’t see anyway we r staying up with this squad- they don’t have any fight in them (@Norther42188430)

Hope for the upturn sooner rather than later people. Goes without saying. (@LindaNi121202)

Game ruined by the ref, don't understand the advantage rules? Can't find it in him self to give two stone wall pens, but gives them one for what I think is a dive! But all in all I see a team good enough to get out of this and a gaffer who's not scared to fight and change things! (@Darrenblues90)

He has got one hell of a job on his hands (@Heathencufc)

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