Mike Williamson says any Carlisle United players at risk of suspension must “double down” on keeping their discipline.
The Blues have two more games to negotiate before the cut-off for bans incurred by players on five yellow cards.
United have lost three players on successive weekends to such suspensions and the risk of more remains.
One player, Josh Vela, is currently on four yellow cards while two more – Dominic Sadi and Jordan Jones – are on three (along with the injured Archie Davies).
A booking for Vela against either Crewe Alexandra or Newport County will trigger a ban, while Sadi and Jones must avoid being cautioned in each of the two games.
Carlisle are without Jon Mellish to a one-game ban this weekend after the defender was shown his fifth yellow card of term in the 0-0 draw with Doncaster Rovers.
Ben Barclay and Harrison Neal have also served bans for a similar reason.
Of those walking the suspension tightrope now, Williamson said they must be careful not to get avoidable bookings, but must also not lose any competitive edge.
“I think they've just got to double down in terms of the discipline side of it – nothing for dissent and things like that,” he said.
“That would be unacceptable, which it is anyway, really
“But I don't think you can kind of factor [other things] in when you're in the game – your sense and reactions take over, so mistiming tackles is the nature of it.
“We still need everyone fully committed and we just keep our fingers crossed in that respect.”
United have had regular upheaval in selection in defence particularly, with Terell Thomas out injured and Aaron Hayden recently back from illness, as well as the suspensions to Barclay – who can return against Crewe – and Mellish.
In spite of this, Carlisle’s defensive efforts have improved in a four-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
Williamson said: “The point of the way we try and drive in training and coaching is we're consistently working on the concepts in-possession and out-of-possession, so everyone's getting to experience it.
“Therefore if things like this happen and we are subject to change, then lads can come in and transition as smoothly as possible.”
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