Would Carlisle United accept a 19th-place finish now? You would certainly think so.

The newly-promoted Cumbrians were always expected to be spending this season with their eye on that gap to 21st place, but recent form and performance levels are leaving things uneasy as October begins. A 2-0 win over Shrewsbury Town a month ago gives the points boost which currently keeps them outside of the bottom four, though Carlisle have not won since in all competitions. Paul Simpson will have to adapt after starting goalkeeper Jökull Andrésson was sent off during the weekend’s defeat at Wycombe Wanderers. Czech giant Tomáš Holý will be expected to come in from the off to replace the Icelandic Reading loanee. In his 5-3-2, wing backs Jack Armer and Fin Back hold key width roles, with star man Owen Moxon the one to always watch in central midfield. The 25-year-old has two goals and two assists to his name. Callum Guy sits deeper in the central unit with Jordan Gibson expressive in wide and central areas. All three need to be tasked with providing higher quality service to Sean Maguire and Crystal Palace loanee Luke Plange who have been common starters up top.

As Carlisle look over their shoulder, Peterborough United look upwards. Posh are into the play-off places after a 2-0 victory over Bristol Rovers, extending an unbeaten run in League One to four matches. Darren Ferguson’s side pride themselves on being a front-footed attacking outfit whilst in the third tier, spearheaded by lethal goal-getter Jonson Clarke-Harris. The Jamaica international has four to his name this season and has won the Golden Boot in his two previous League One seasons. Ephron Mason-Clark is an exceptional direct ball carrier who has rotated his time between left wing and attacking midfield in a 4-2-3-1. Kwame Poku offers a direct, inverted threat off the right. Left-sided forward Ricky Jade-Jones and right winger David Ajiboye are hitting new levels this season. Harrison Burrows flies forward from left back when given the chance. Archie Collins keeps the tempo ticking over in central midfield alongside the larger Hector Kyprianou.

With Carlisle’s supposed leading goalkeeper unavailable, one of League One’s highest-scoring outfits could be licking their lips. Posh are averaging 1.5 goals per game this season so far, and have netted at least once in every one of their last nine matches in all competitions. Carlisle have netted in three of their five home matches this campaign and will be keen to avoid a repeat of disappointing losses against Exeter City and Derby County at Brunton Park. Simpson needs to work his magic again before those below pick up the pace.

It’s been a disastrous start to the season for Doncaster Rovers with Grant McCann unable to turn the tide at a club that has fallen on hard times recently.

They are improving, however. McCann has settled on a system after some early chopping and changing and his team are showing a little more quality in their play, helped by the attacking qualities of Joe Ironside, Mo Faal, and Louie Marsh – not to mention Ben Close, whose range has been superb over recent weeks. Donny have scored in seven of their last eight and twice in each of their last three, helped by an average of over 13 shots and five shots on target.

They aren’t perfect defensively yet, however. They have kept only one clean sheet this season and allowed Barrow three goals during the defeat at the weekend. They have conceded two or more goals in six of their league outings.

Crawley Town are the surprise package of the entire EFL season. Almost everybody had them relegated before a ball was kicked after a chaotic summer but Scott Lindsey is doing some great work in Surrey.

His side have now scored three or more goals in each of their last five matches and have also scored in all but one of their away fixtures – the 6-0 defeat to Swindon Town in which they missed two huge chances at 0-0.

They have conceded 1.5 xG in four of their last six outings and conceded in all but two fixtures – against Bradford City on opening day and bottom-of-the-league Sutton United on Saturday. They have conceded two or more goals in four of their last six.