Carlisle United boss's message ahead of huge Boxing Day clash
Carlisle United boss Mike Williamson says “we need everyone” to help drive the Blues to three huge points on Boxing Day.
United host bottom-two rivals Morecambe as they seek a major boost to their survival chances.
The Brunton Park clash (kick-off 3pm) is the biggest game of Carlisle’s season so far as they try to bridge the four-point gap to third-bottom.
They can also deal a significant blow to one of their main rivals, with United starting the day a point ahead of Derek Adams’ Shrimps.
The visit of Morecambe is part of a major festive home double-header with another struggler in Accrington Stanley set to visit on Sunday.
Head coach Williamson says a true fighting spirit is going to be needed from all concerned.
“We know exactly how serious it is, we know how big the game on Boxing Day is, and we need everyone,” he said.
“On Saturday the fans at Port Vale were brilliant – you could hear them from the first whistle all the way to the end, and the boys stayed afterwards to show their appreciation.
“We're going to need everyone fighting so we dust ourselves off and we go again on Boxing Day.
“It’s massive, of course. We had a good November but we need to try and turn those draws into wins.
“We want to focus on building off [Saturday’s performance].”
It is hoped Kadeem Harris and others will return to the squad on Boxing Day (Image: Richard Parkes)
Williamson will hope to be boosted by the return of certain players for the clash with Adams’ bottom-placed side.
Kadeem Harris, Callum Guy and Ben Williams all missed the Port Vale game with illness.
It is hoped they will be fit to return to the squad for Thursday’s showdown, while Georgie Kelly is another player being monitored after feeling some discomfort in his calf during Saturday’s warm-up, leading Williamson not to involve the striker in the game.
Other considerations for the head coach will be whether to stick with players who came into the side at Vale Park, such as Jack Ellis and Luke Armstrong.
While a win on Boxing Day would be welcome however it comes, Williamson says the focus remains on building a performance level that gives United the best chance of the points they need.
“We always believe that if you focus on the process, the performances and the results will pay off, but ultimately the situation is drastic regardless of how we get it,” he said.
"The energy we showed on Saturday…that's got to give us that belief and confidence going into these games.”
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