One of the main talking points after Carlisle's win at Bury was the man who won them the game: Richie Bennett.

On BBC Radio Cumbria we had a number of texts from people taking a range of views. Some wanted to know why the striker was getting stick when he was keeping up such a decent goal ratio.

Others were more critical, with one texter saying Bennett wasn't good enough to be United's 20-goal target-man and should be replaced. That got a reply of: replace him with who?

There is always someone in the team, no matter how well or poorly you are doing, who comes in for a bit of flak. There are times when certain players take more grief from supporters than others and Bennett, at the moment, seems to be that player.

Even when he has started games well, such as against Tranmere, when his touch was initially okay, the first time he did give the ball way there were a few boos. Other players seem to get a bit more leeway.

Away from home, he maybe feels there isn't as much pressure as at Brunton Park, and it might be why he has scored all his goals on the road so far in 2018/19. I do feel, though, that his performances away are quite similar to those at home.

It might simply be that, when playing away, there is a bit more patience and understanding.

The thing to remember about Bennett is that, although people keep looking at his size and build and automatically think 'target man', he has never been that type of player.

When Carlisle signed him, many who watched Barrow told us he wasn't an old-fashioned target man. At the moment he might be a victim of some people assuming he should be something he isn't.

When he is up front on his own, as he was on Saturday, he has three things to think about when the ball is sent up to him - who is he going to give it to, making sure his touch is right, and knowing where the defender is.

If he has Ashley Nadesan running off him, he can eliminate the first one, because he knows where his strike partner is going to be. Playing in a front two can simplify the game for him a bit.

Overall, though, I still feel that someone who has scored four goals in 11 games is doing alright, so why not try a few weeks of putting arms around him and praising him?

Sometimes his touch will let him down, but he does put a shift in and let's not forget everyone in League Two is in this division for a reason. There are flaws in every player.

Above all, Bennett finished the chance that mattered at Gigg Lane and finished it well, and that should count for something.

I remember from my own playing days that there would always be someone who came in for more critical attention than others. I had it myself at times, and at Carlisle I know players like Chris Billy, Peter Murphy and Matty Robson have had it too.

Danny Grainger also gets a bit of it at times. It can be for different reasons, but you have to come through it and while some people will find it harder than others, and some will move on, the only way to truly beat it is to keep working hard.

All the players I've named above have done that in their Carlisle careers and in Bennett's case I like the fact he hasn't dropped his head, and like the fact John Sheridan has stuck with him.

Going into next weekend, why shouldn't he be the first name on the teamsheet? He is the one getting goals away from home and winning Carlisle games.

It's not all about goals, though. I feel the other players like Bennett being up there as a presence, and it's not as if there are pots of money in the bank to go out and buy someone else, so what is the point of getting on someone's back?

There are some people's minds you can never change. You just have to be mentally strong. As a footballer you can't be feeling sorry for yourself; unfortunately there are things you simply have to take on the chin, like it or not, and ride it out.

Bennett has given interviews this season when he has been critical of his own hold-up play, even though I do feel that side of his game has improved.

That attitude is far better than what you hear from some other players, who are very defensive about their performances and not willing to accept there are things they need to do better.

How can you improve if that is your approach?

If, though, you are open about areas you need to improve, when you go into training on Monday morning you are in exactly the right frame of mind to work on things and keep at your game.

There is a little pressure building now on Carlisle to win their next two home games, against Stevenage and Grimsby, and really make their mark as one of the teams at the top end of League Two.

We know what this division is like, though, and we also know Carlisle have been in these positions before only to suffer an anti-climax back at Brunton Park.

Sheridan, though, seems very relaxed and isn't cranking any pressure up. The players seem to be enjoying that, as well as the fact there weren't massive expectations from supporters going into the season.

Because of everything that happened in the summer, the way Carlisle went into this season and everything that has been said about the financial situation, I feel they will have a bit of a free pass until around February-March - if they are still up there then, then yes, pressure will kick in then.

Sheridan will have high demands throughout, because he is such a determined character, but supporters are probably realistic about their own expectations, and that could give the players a bit of freedom.

With any luck, it might also get the best out of them - the same as being positive and understanding might make the most of Richie Bennett.

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One of the real pluses of League Two this season is that it gives Carlisle's supporters a number of away games much closer to home.

The last few years have felt like one six-hour journey after another but at present Carlisle's fans are enjoying a little run of trips to Bury, Oldham and Macclesfield.

It was great to see the numbers that turned out at Gigg Lane. It must be refreshing for those fans to leave the house as late as 11am in some cases and still have time for a pint outside the ground before the game, and then get home by 7pm or thereabouts.

The players have commented on what a difference that size of support makes and I think it also highlights something important about the potential and size of the club.

Anyone who calls Carlisle a small club, or words to that effect, needs to look at that following.

It used to wind some fans up when former manager Greg Abbott used to compare Carlisle to the likes of Bury and Rochdale, when trying to explain their limitations budget-wise.

Would either of those clubs take more than 850 fans to Brunton Park in late September? Would they bring that many at any stage unless they were absolutely flying and on the brink of promotion?

You couldn't see it.

There were fewer than 3,000 home fans inside Gigg Lane on Saturday, after all, and surely the numbers in that away end reminded everyone about the sort of big noise Carlisle can be.

Chris Lumsdon's column is sponsored by Safe & Sound Security Solutions (UK) Limited. Enquiries@safeandsoundsecurityltd.co.uk, Tel 01228 543800, www.safeandsoundsecurityltd.co.uk