Carlisle United boss Mike Williamson says the Blues will need to focus until the very final kick against a Grimsby Town side with a range of threats.

The Mariners are United’s first Brunton Park opponents since the appointment of Williamson as head coach.

And the new Blues boss feels David Artell’s visitors can be dangerous customers in the way they can approach games.

“I think that they've just got a good blend of the way they play,” said Williamson.

“They'll play out from the back. They’ll work patterns; in terms of 4-1-4-1 or 4-3-3, it's negligible. But the detail will be there, they'll be disciplined and they'll just be relentless in what they do and they'll keep putting the pressure on us.

“Again, a lapse in concentration, or if our detail in our own play is not there and it's not clean, then we'll get punished for it, so we've got to make sure that we're focused for 95-100 minutes.”

Grimsby sit 13th in League Two after three wins and four defeats, their record in 2024/25 much stronger at home, where they have picked up all their points so far.

They are without at least two key players at Brunton Park, with winger Charles Vernam ruled out with a hamstring injury and midfielder Kieran Green suspended after last weekend’s red card against Bromley.

But the Mariners offer other threats such as experienced frontman Danny Rose, while they also have an Iceland international midfielder in their ranks in the shape of summer signing Jason Dadi Svanthorsson.

Charles Vernam, right, is ruled out with injury but the experienced Danny Rose, left, is an attacking threat for GrimsbyCharles Vernam, right, is ruled out with injury but the experienced Danny Rose, left, is an attacking threat for Grimsby (Image: PA)

“They’ve got some good offensive players,” added Williamson.

“Obviously, Rose is very experienced, really good in the air and every time the ball goes wide, he's going to be a threat in the box.

“Kieran Green is probably one of their stronger players, and he is suspended, while Vernam has picked up [an injury], but they've got strength in depth.

“The offensive players are wingers, they've got loads of energy, they want to go forward, but we've got to make sure that we ask questions of them going the other way.”

United are hoping to build on last weekend’s 2-0 win over Swindon Town, and another victory would make it back-to-back wins for the first time since March 2023 for the Blues.

On the aim to build some positive momentum, the new United boss added: “Momentum is a huge word in football, but it's our job, the coaches' job, to get our lads to understand that at any moment, one action can flip momentum and it can create momentum.

“So, as much as we want the crowd behind us and we want this place rocking and the noise and the energy, we've just got to stay really present and focused on what we've got to achieve in that one action.

“And that creates its own momentum and it becomes a bit of an animal – it embodies itself rather than us thinking about it, because I think as soon as you start thinking about momentum, you lose it.

“And that's what football is. If we can just be really focused and detailed of what we've got to achieve in that one moment, in possession, out of possession, whatever that may be, then I think the momentum creates itself.”