Carlisle struggling to deal with setbacks - Williamson

Mike Williamson had a 51% win ratio in League Two with MK Dons, compared to 15% so far with Carlisle

Carlisle United head coach Mike Williamson admits that spending a long time at the bottom of the table is taking its toll on his players.

The 2-0 loss to Chesterfield last Saturday left Carlisle bottom of League Two on goals scored behind Morecambe.

After finishing last in League One last season, shedding that losing mentality is proving to be very challenging.

"The difficulty for us is that every little hurdle or stumble feels like a massive one," said Williamson."

Even though the loss to Chesterfield ended an encouraging run of one win and three draws, the Brunton Park club remain in deep trouble.

They have lost 41 of their last 65 league games going back to August 2023 and have only scored 56 goals in those matches.

While they last came from behind to win a game on New Year's Day against Saturday's opponents, Port Vale.

So Williamson recognises that it is a dressing room which has become used to things going against them.

"You look at the game against Chesterfield, the metrics were probably better than against Doncaster and Crewe," he added.

"But the fact that we didn't get anything out of the game is a real emotional wrench for the lads.

"With the amount of those over the last 18 months, it probably makes it feel more significant but we have lads who come back , get on the training ground, dust themselves off and then empty the tank again. That is all we can ask for."

A return of two wins from 13 games in charge is not what Williamson or the Carlisle owners would have wanted or expected when he was appointed in September.

The former MK Dons boss describes the situation as a work in progress, but he knows there has to be a sharp upturn to avoid successive relegations for the Cumbrians.

"Football is ongoing, regardless of the level," he said. "Look at Manchester City at the minute, it may be a silly comparison but that is the nature of the industry. You are never going to be good enough.

"Of course, we haven't been good enough, the results, the goals conceded and goals scored, all are not good enough.

"But we're here, the boys are receptive and they are working their socks off."