Cambridge United boss on Carlisle United's 'mindset'

The Cumbrians’ two most recent League One victories have come after the Blues conceded first.

But the manager of this weekend’s opponents - whose squad includes ex-United loan striker John-Kymani Gordon - says his side will still look to take the initiative against Paul Simpson’s side.

Referring to Carlisle’s wins against Bolton Wanderers and Burton Albion this month, Bonner said: “[They have beaten] strong teams that have been in good form.

“Bolton were one of the top teams and Burton have been in brilliant form recently, so that was an excellent result for them [Carlisle] on Tuesday.

“They’ve got some good players, and they’re in that mindset of a team that’s got promoted to try and chase the game.

“But we’re at home, we want to take the issue with the game, we want to be the team that forces the hand if we can.

JK Gordon (Image: PA)

“But we’ve got to be great at both ends of the pitch and ready to take on a team that had a good result on Tuesday, as we did.”

Cambridge held leaders Portsmouth to a 0-0 draw on Tuesday in an improvement from their previous outing – a 1-0 defeat at previously winless Cheltenham Town.

Bonner’s side sit 17th, two points and three places above Carlisle, having failed to win in their last eight league games.

Speaking in a pre-match press conference, the Cambridge boss said his team must reproduce the best of their midweek efforts.

“We needed it,” he said of their showing against Pompey. “We had to find a better level than we found in the previous game.

“It was a really good performance that reminds us who we are, what we’re about and what we need to be.

“We now have to back it up with another good performance.”

Bonner said a late decision would be made on the availability of midfielder Jordan Cousins, while some Cambridge players have spent time this week in a cryotherapy chamber this week to aid their recovery ahead of Carlisle’s visit.