New-look Blues must click against Bradford, admits Williamson
Mike Williamson admits Carlisle United cannot afford to waste time before their new-look team clicks.
The Blues take on Bradford City today (Brunton Park, 12.30pm) after a recent influx of January signings.
Today’s early kick-off will be a first chance to impress for a number of the nine new faces as Carlisle bid to start bridging the seven-point gap to League Two safety.
United hope their squad overhaul will pay dividends and, with 22 games remaining to save their EFL status, Williamson admits the transfer work must have an immediate effect.
“It has to – there is no time,” the head coach said.
“When all is said and done, a lot of the lads we’ve brought in are fit and ready to go, which is really good.
“There's one or two that we've just got to be careful with their immediate minutes.
“But we're excited and we have to start winning games – and we have to start well against Bradford.”
New additions such as Cedwyn Scott, Sean Fusire, Paul Dummett, Stephen Wearne, Will Patching, Charlie McArthur and Joe Hugill have all come into the squad and are awaiting debuts, with Elliot Embleton and Callum Whelan also eyeing home debuts this afternoon.
It is the first meeting between Carlisle and Bradford at Brunton Park since 2023's play-off clash (Image: Ben Holmes)
The revamped squad will be on show in front of what is expected to be an increased crowd, including a sell-out away following from eighth-placed Bradford, who visit Brunton Park for the first time since May 2023's dramatic League Two play-off semi-final second leg.
Williamson hopes team and fans can contribute to a much-needed positive day for the Blues.
“We need everyone. We need all the elements,” the head coach said.
“The atmosphere is going to be fantastic. We just want to build off a really positive fans forum that we had last week, and the energy of the fans who come in their numbers and how vocal they are, which has been fantastic.
"After the back of a good week's training and a lot of new lads, there’s a lot of excitement. We've just got to make sure we channel that.”
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