Williamson: Why Blues' display against Wigan gives me survival confidence

Mike Williamson says the “resilience and endeavour” Carlisle United showed against Wigan Athletic gives him confidence for the survival battle ahead.

The Blues went out of the FA Cup after losing 2-0 in extra-time to their League One visitors.

It came after a display of character from Carlisle, who played most of the first round tie with ten men after Ethan Robson’s 14th-minute red card.

United went on to create some good chances while a strong defensive display, including an outstanding showing from keeper Gabe Breeze, kept Shaun Maloney’s side at bay.

Scott Smith and Jonny Smith’s extra-time goals eventually sent the Latics through.

But Williamson said: “I’m very happy with the lads collectively. I thought it was an immense, monumental effort and performance.

“We could talk about many different individuals that stood out, but I think overall the collective endeavour is what we take away, and the bravery and courage in possession as well as out of possession.

“They gave everything and they showed a massive example of the spirit we've got and the fire that the boys have got.

“I saw more than enough substance, and more than enough resilience and endeavour, to have every confidence we're going to turn this [season] round.”

Carlisle, after a bright start, were reduced to ten men when Robson was dismissed for a challenge on Steven Sessegnon. Williamson said United are likely to appeal, with the midfielder facing a three-match ban.

United’s head coach, though, was pleased with how his side responded to the early setback.

“I thought the detail that we've been working on, you could see before the red card, you could see how the lads wanted to play through,” Williamson said.

“They had to play with that bravery. And then obviously the red card changes the game. It’s already tough enough playing against a very ball-dominant team, a team that move you around and have got a lot of patterns and strategies to try and get in behind.

Gabe Breeze's performance was a highlight of United's display against Wigan (Image: Ben Holmes)

“It made it that much tougher. So the lads were brilliant and left everything out there and can come back in satisfied with their performance – but we know that we've got still work to do.”

Williamson said Breeze, handed a start in place of Harry Lewis, had impressed and was one of many players to stand out for Carlisle.

He was also delighted to welcome Daniel Adu-Adjei back into the side after injury, while Tyler Burey impressed on his first start.

“It’s pleasing the minutes they got, pleasing how they affected the game and the chances that we created,” he said.

“There are a lot of positives and the feeling walking off the pitch is very different [to the previous home game].

“The boys are in a period where we've got to fight for everything and we're still not getting what we feel like we deserve, but that's out of our control.

“All we do is dust ourselves off. They're big enough to walk out on that pitch and play with that bravery in a difficult situation.”

Williamson also said the response of United’s home crowd was “fantastic” but stressed that the Blues must build on their efforts when league action resumes.

“They're just words – we've got to come in on Monday and we've got to make sure that we keep wanting to improve, and keep taking thar on to a pitch on Saturday in the league and show those improvements,” he added.