Carlisle United boss Mike Williamson says the clash with Doncaster Rovers will prove a “marker” for the Blues’ recent improvement.
League Two’s third-placed side visit Brunton Park tomorrow as the Cumbrians chase an elusive first home win under Williamson.
Carlisle are unbeaten in three games in all competitions and are seeking another positive result that could lift them out of the relegation zone.
But they must raise their game against Grant McCann’s Donny side whose dangermen include veteran goalscorer Billy Sharp, Williamson’s former Gateshead team-mate Luke Molyneux – and former United midfielder Jordan Gibson.
“When I look at them – and we've played them over the last couple of years [with MK Dons] – they're a real marker for us, and for anybody really, for the consistency in their energy, and how hard they work.
“I think that's a real standout. The manager's been there a few years now and he's been able to build a squad that’s definitely one of the better teams and squads in the division, and one of the favourites for promotion.
“The quality in that squad is there for everyone to see. He [McCann] has got a detailed way of playing, but just the relentlessness of his energy I think is a huge standout.”
Williamson says the return of Gibson to face the second-bottom Blues for the first time since his summer departure, following three years with United, can be a factor on the day, but United will not be dwelling too much on the midfielder’s Brunton Park appearance.
“I don't think it'll have any impact on our preparation,” said the head coach of the 26-year-old, who has scored three goals in 21 appearances for Doncaster so far.
“Of course it's going to add extra dynamic. When ex-players come back, regardless of good or bad times [they’ve had before], it doesn't really matter – you’ve got a point to prove.
“We know the quality he [Gibson] possesses, but they've got that throughout the whole team, so it's not just going to be one area that we're focused on.
“We've got to make sure that all departments are extremely focused.”
Williamson played in the same side as Molyneux during their respective time at Gateshead in the 2018/19 season, whilst Molyneux was on loan from Sunderland.
Donny’s seven-goal dangerman featured in a Heed side that included other United connections such as Jon Mellish, Luke Armstrong, Steven Rigg and Tom White.
The 26-year-old has since flourished at Hartlepool United and now Doncaster. Williamson recalled: “He was talented lad. He was very laid back.
“I think, when I watch him now, you can see he's got a footballing brain, in how he takes up positions and the way he reads the game, but also it looks like he's just been extremely good at just knowing what he's good at, and when he gets the ball he's got one thing in mind.
“He’s been a standout performer over the last few seasons, with his goals and assists, but he just seems like now he's more of a rounded component to their team, and the way they play, and a real good team-mate.”
Doncaster lost out in the League Two play-off semi-finals last season after a dramatic late surge up the table, while they are among the promotion favourites this time around.
They have won eight, drawn four and lost four so far, with four wins, a draw and two defeats away from home.
Their squad includes two more ex-Carlisle men in Tom Anderson and Josh Emmanuel, though the latter has made only one league appearance for Donny so far, while the former has not featured in their last three games.
Williamson, reflecting on Doncaster’s run to the play-offs from a struggling position in 2023/24, said: “That's the beauty of football, it's very much a game of emotion.
“The run [they had] was extraordinary. I think it might have been one or two players that came in January to support that, but largely that's what confidence does.
“It takes a team going into games and feeling like, [even if] anything goes against them, it doesn't affect their habits.
“It was there for everyone to see, and they've continued the growth off the back of that as well, so we know how tough it's going to be, but we're looking forward to it.”
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