Mike Williamson admits that only points on the board will settle any anxiety around Carlisle United.

The Blues head to Colchester United today (JobServe Community Stadium, 3pm) looking to bounce back from consecutive home defeats.

Third-bottom Carlisle need some positive results to lift themselves from the lower reaches of League Two.

And while head coach Williamson believes the “processes” he is putting in place will have long-term benefits, the need for short-term results remains paramount.

“Obviously, I can talk about the process until I'm blue in the face, but until we start seeing wins, that's the only remedy to settle the fans and some of the players as well,” he said.

“I was very proud of the second-half performance and reaction against Notts County, but of course we need points, and that's going to be the bottom line.

“We're going there [to Colchester] and we've got to find a way to win, whether that's ugly or regardless.

“We've got to do the simple things and do that well with that emotional arousal that we had on Tuesday. I think we can do that.”

Carlisle embark on their fourth-longest trip of the League Two season seeking a boost after seven defeats from nine at the start of the 2024/25 campaign.

Charlie Wyke will be hoping for a recall to the XI todayCharlie Wyke will be hoping for a recall to the XI today (Image: Ben Holmes)

They are looking for what would be only a second win in the last 15 visits to Colchester, who are 15th after their first nine games.

Williamson’s selection calls today include whether to bring striker and captain Charlie Wyke back into the Blues XI after he started on the bench on Tuesday night.

Midfielder Harrison Neal could also come into the reckoning after he impressed after coming on as substitute against Notts County.

While a win would be a welcome boost for United’s morale and position, another defeat would not take them to the foot of the table today.

That is because bottom two Accrington Stanley and Morecambe, who are two and three points behind Carlisle respectively, face each other at the Wham Stadium.