Swindon Town boss on Carlisle United and Mike Williamson

Kennedy hailed Williamson as an “outstanding coach” although cast doubt on how much he would be able to change in such a short space of time.

The Robins boss, though, said the arrival of the former MK Dons man at United would affect how he looks at United.

“I am guessing Carlisle got someone for a particular style and they have got an outstanding coach,” Kennedy said.

“Can he reinvent the wheel in two days? It is tough.

“His style changes things and my preference would have been for him to come in on Monday or last Monday not Thursday.”

• READ MORE: When Mike Williamson faced the Blues as a player

Former Lincoln City boss Kennedy said that the extent of Williamson’s impact will be naturally limited given how recently he has arrived at Carlisle.

He added that it takes time for any new boss to make his full mark.

Swindon Dan Butterworth, right, will face United for the first time since his deadline-day move (Image: Ian Allington) “In two days it is impossible to get things across,” said Kennedy, speaking at a press conference via the Swindon Advertiser.

“We are really starting to see who we are becoming and I have said many times that if I had been offered the job for ten games then I wouldn't have taken it.

“Everybody needs time to build the team and create that DNA. When [Pep] Guardiola came in at Man City [he] didn't win the league in his first year.”

Swindon, like United, made a slow start to the League Two season but picked up their first win in style last time out.

They thrashed Newport County 4-0 at the County Ground, scoring all four goals in the first half.

The Robins sit 18th on six points, three points above the Blues. Kennedy took charge in May as the permanent successor to Michael Flynn at the County Ground.

Former United attacker Dan Butterworth will be in the Robins squad and is set to face the Blues for the first time since his deadline-day move.

Butterworth has scored once in his four appearances so far – an injury-time equaliser at Barrow earlier this month.

Kennedy, meanwhile, said defenders Grant Hall and Ryan Delaney were both “doing well” on their return from injuries but did not confirm whether they would be involved against the Blues.