Hughes: The changes that give Blues hope for 2026

Jon Colman Fri, 2 January 2026 at 5:00 am UTC·3 min read Mark Hughes says the improved fitness and “effort” of his Carlisle United squad gives him hope that the Blues can rise from the ashes of a damaging 2025. The head coach, who is preparing his squad for the first game of the new year against Wealdstone on Saturday, says United ended last year in much better shape than earlier in 2025, which saw the club relegated from the EFL.Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement United start 2026 fourth in the National League and a point off the top as they try to complete an immediate turnaround...