By the left: why Elliot feels change will suit Blues star Ajiboye

Rob Elliot believes switching David Ajiboye from the right to the left could unlock the best of the Carlisle United winger.

Ajiboye has switched sides in the Blues' attack in pre-season and could start on the left against Worthing in today's National League opener.

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The former Peterborough United man impressed in the second half of the season on the right under Mark Hughes.

But Elliot feels a change could suit the 27-year-old in 2026/27.

Asked by the News & Star for his thinking on the move, Elliot said: "David's left-footed crossing is excellent. So when he goes to the byline, he's got that opportunity.

"And David naturally likes to drift inside the pitch. We just felt like coming onto his right foot [from the left], which saw him score a few goals in pre-season, really suits him."

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Switching flanks, then, is about giving Ajiboye both options: the natural wide man's route to the outside, and the modern forward's path inside to shoot.

Elliot also sees Ajiboye's move as part of a broader plan to make Carlisle's front line more fluent and varied.

"He's able to then open up the pitch on both sides," Elliot added. "He can go down the outside and he can come inside."

"We also like the rotation with Regan [Linney]. David and Regan have rotated in and out of those positions when Regan's played up front with Georgie [Kelly].

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Ajiboye impressed on the right under Mark Hughes in the second half of last season, but Elliot feels a switch could suit the wide man (Image: Richard Parkes)

"It gives that flexibility for our forward players to not be locked down to one position.

"Hopefully, when you come up against teams when, for five or ten minutes, you might not get the effectiveness that you want – David might not find the ball or Regan might not find the ball or whoever it might be – it gives them the ability to move and rotate.

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"That way we cause more problems and give teams less time to adapt to what we're doing."

Ajiboye, meanwhile, has insight into today's visitors given he has worked under Worthing boss Adam Hinshelwood at three different clubs.

The Blues wide man, who is expected to overcome a back injury to play this afternoon, was coached by Hinshelwood in Brighton & Hove Albion's academy, before being signed by the Rebels manager at both Worthing and York City.

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On whether he could tap into Ajiboye's knowledge, Elliot said: "We'll have a chat.

"The way his [Hinshelwood's] teams play are clear, and you can understand they're going to want to dominate the ball.

"They're not going to put it at risk unless it's through being creative.

"We saw what his team at York did. They were a brilliant team to watch, played some fantastic attacking football. He's gone to Worthing and nothing's changed.

"They're going to be an excellent team. They're going to cause a lot of problems. So it's a really good test for us because we'll have to be on our mettle in terms of with the ball and without the ball.

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"Hopefully with David, because he knows it, it'll give him that edge as well if he's on the pitch."

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