Mike Williamson says the variety in Crewe Alexandra’s game makes them a big challenge for Carlisle United to handle this weekend.

The third-placed Railwaymen are in excellent form and on an eight-game unbeaten run in League Two.

Lee Bell’s side are the second promotion-chasers to visit Brunton Park on consecutive weekends after the 0-0 draw with Doncaster Rovers.

United head coach Williamson says Crewe offer a blend of passing football and a more direct threat, with the Blues tasked with coping with both aspects of their play.

Williamson watched Crewe draw 1-1 with leaders Port Vale earlier in the week.

“Crewe want to build in a back three, then they can go to a back four,” said the Blues boss.

“They've got different tweaks of structure but ultimately they had two big, strong lads up front and then two lads in the eight role that cover a lot of ground.

“There's a lot of willingness to run so they can mix it very well. So there are similarities with ourselves, and we've got to make sure that we nullify that physical threat.

Crewe boss Lee BellCrewe boss Lee Bell (Image: PA)

“It's a [ball] over the top with [Shilow] Tracey], and we know how good he is, but also we know that their back three are very comfortable on the ball.

“It will be a good test.”

Crewe, like Williamson’s former club MK Dons, were in last season’s League Two play-offs, Bell’s side going on to lose the final to Crawley Town.

They have rebuilt well since their Wembley disappointment and are firmly in the running again this term.

“Lee is a young manager and he's got a philosophy of playing,” added Williamson.

“There's been change from last season but it looks like they've definitely evolved and grown as a team.

“But again they're hard to pin down because they go long very effectively but then also they play out from the back with a goalkeeper [former MK Dons loanee Filip Marschall] that we know very well – he's very comfortable on the ball as well.”

Ryan Cooney is suspended for the Brunton Park clashRyan Cooney is suspended for the Brunton Park clash (Image: PA)

Crewe, with just 14 goals conceded from 16 league games, boast the joint best defensive record in the division.

One man unavailable to the Alex on Saturday is defender Ryan Cooney, who – like United’s Jon Mellish – will serve a one-game suspension after receiving his fifth league booking of the season last time out.

A United win this weekend would be an eyecatching one against a side Williamson regards as another good marker for his side.

“I think if you look at the league table [a win for us] certainly would [surprise some outside the club] but we've just got to focus on ourselves,” he added.

“We know they're going to be disciplined and detailed, and they're solid – and that's the benchmark of where we want to get to.

“We want to be as threatening in the offensive side of it but also off the back of minimising xG [expected goals] against.”