Cheltenham Town boss Michael Flynn says the league table doesn’t come into it as he prepares to face Carlisle United.

The 17th-placed Robins face the second-bottom Blues at Brunton Park on Saturday.

And while Flynn hopes to catch Carlisle at a good time in the early stages of their transition under Mike Williamson, he expects a tough contest in Cumbria.

“Carlisle is going to be a difficult game – a new manager has gone in, he’s trying to implement his style of play, and it will take time of course.,” said Flynn.

“I just hope we’re there at the right time.

“The journey itself is a battle, it’s the next signpost to Scotland, which says it all, but we’ll go there rested up, fully prepared.

“There will be no excuses. But it will be the end to a long, long month in terms of the league.

“It’s been just shy of 1,600 miles this month round trips for away games. We’re on the last stretch of that now.

“It will be good to go there and get the points but I’m under no illusions it’s going to be a tough game. Don’t even think about the league table.

“We’re both capable of beating any team on our day, and we’re both capable of losing to any team when we don’t turn up.

Cheltenham, right, sit 17th after their first 13 gamesCheltenham, right, sit 17th after their first 13 games (Image: PA)

“It’s going to be a tough one and we’ve got to make sure we’re on it.”

Flynn says United’s home ground is normally a source of strength, although the Cumbrians’ record at Brunton Park this season is poor – one win, one draw and four defeats in the league, plus three cup defeats.

“It always has been [a fortress] – even when they’ve struggled in seasons, their home form has kept them within distance, and their home form when they’ve been successful has propelled them to promotion, play-offs or whatever,” added Flynn, speaking at his pre-match press conference.

“We’ve got to go there, give it our best shot, start bright, put the pressure on them and hopefully get the points.”

Cheltenham will have defender Sam Stubbs back after he was unable to face his parent club Bradford City last time out in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw. Their squad also includes Carlisle-born former United striker Ryan Bowman, who has scored twice in 11 appearances since his summer move from Shrewsbury Town.

The Robins have picked up four points from their last two outings to stay above the danger zone in the fourth tier. They are on 14 points, six above 23rd-placed Carlisle.

Carlisle-born Ryan Bowman, pictured with the Blues in 2009, is in the Cheltenham ranksCarlisle-born Ryan Bowman, pictured with the Blues in 2009, is in the Cheltenham ranks (Image: LOUISE PORTER)

Flynn believes he has seen signs of progress recently.

“There’s only one way to work on your confidence and that’s by doing the basics and doing the hard work, and we’re doing it a lot better now,” he added.

“That’s whether it’s defensive actions or our decision-making to get into their final third.

“We’re third in the league for getting into the opposition final third, but 19th for crosses into the box.

“We’ve got to be a little bit better. But that’s improved from 23rd. It shows we’re going in the right direction and we’re causing teams a few more problems now.”