Mike Williamson says Carlisle United’s “emotions” must be right today as the Blues bid to escape the relegation zone.

United host third-placed Crewe Alexandra today (Brunton Park, 12.30pm) knowing that a draw or victory would lift them out of the bottom two.

In order to do that they must rise to the challenge against one of League Two’s form sides.

And they must show they can add a decisive goal threat to their recently improved defensive resilience.

Williamson says his players’ state of mind in the final third must be on the right lines as they take on Lee Bell’s Railwaymen.

“The focus this week in terms of in the final third has been a clear understanding of how we're going to get chances and how we're going to create chances,” he said.

“Obviously when we do create the chances it's up to the boys to execute and have conviction in what they do.

“But my message to them is that it’s about an emotional reset.

“That’s regardless of what the scoreline is or where we are in the table – if your preparation is the best it possibly can be, then it puts you in the best position to execute the skill.

“When confidence is down and personally you know you're a little bit more sluggish to get prepared for something, reactions are a little bit slower.

“So for us that's just been the focus this week in terms of ‘no frustration, no disappointment’ – it's all about being present and making sure that you give everything to every action.”

United have the chance to climb from the foot of the table today with rivals Morecambe and Swindon Town – who are ahead of the Blues on goal difference – both in FA Cup second round action.

Victory would offer a major shot in the arm to the Cumbrians but they face a strong visiting side unbeaten in eight league games.

United themselves have not lost in their last four outings in league and cup and Williamson has been encouraged by their development defensively as they target a first home win under the head coach.

“I think we feel as though we're moving in the right direction,” he said.

“The statistics in terms of our [recent] defensive side of it has been good.

“I think the stubbornness for lads to put their bodies on the line has always been there, it's just been trying to work on that detail and organisation.

Jordan Jones, left, could return todayJordan Jones, left, could return today (Image: Ben Holmes)

“We want to defend as high up the pitch as we possibly can to minimise opposition getting near our box, but the fact is we've got lads with a lot of experience and big hearts.

“We want to keep building that but then we want to affect further up the pitch.”

Williamson is without the suspended Jon Mellish today but Ben Barclay returns from a ban. Fit-again winger Jordan Jones could be back in the squad for the first time since early October.

On the incentive to get out of the bottom two today, the Blues boss said: “Of course you look at it that way.

“Every game we're desperate to win and it doesn't change the fact that come the end of the final whistle if we are [out of the bottom two] there’s a feeling around it.

“But every single game at the minute is so important and we've got to face every one like a cup final.

“With there being minimal action [involving others in the division] it might give us that incentive but the focus is the focus.”

The only other game in League Two today is another early kick-off as 20th-placed Colchester United, who are four points above Carlisle, go to 13th-placed Fleetwood Town.

Swindon return to action at Colchester on Tuesday with Morecambe at Tranmere on the same evening.

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