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Opposition View: Liam Cole on Carlisle United’s Rebuild Under Mike Williamson and Facing Notts County


Chris

Introduction:

Name: Liam Cole.

How long have you supported Carlisle United? My first proper memory with the Blues is probably the Leeds play-off game, since the 2007/08 season.

Are you a season ticket holder? Unfortunately not. My work commitments mean I don’t get to all home games any more, but I still manage to attend about 80% of them.

Age? 27.

Favourite Player? My favourite player would be either Peter Murphy or Danny Grainger, both legends of the club’s recent past.

What are the key strengths and weaknesses of Carlisle United, and how do they match up against Notts County’s style of play?

Up until the change in manager, there weren't really any strengths in the team with the tactics being played. This will be Mike Williamson's third game in charge, and there are certainly signs that, given a bit of time and backing in the transfer window (which he will get with our new owners), we will be a formidable team. Our game against Grimsby on Saturday was a Jekyll and Hyde performance. Our performance in the first half was the best half of football in the last three seasons without a doubt. In the second half, we were sloppy and switched off. No doubt this will improve when the players build their fitness and get used to our new tactics. Hopefully, we will be playing front-foot, possession-based football, which is obviously only fully possible for one team, so it will be less a case of tactics and more a case of the execution of them as to who comes out on top on the day.

How do Carlisle United fans feel about their team’s current position in the league, and what do they think needs to change to improve their standing?

Obviously, given the new ownership and the backing of the previous regime, and head of recruitment Abbott, who is still here, but I would argue should be shown the door when our new position of sporting director is finally filled, we were expecting to be a big player in the league this season. Credit to Tom Piatak, he jumped early and replaced him with a manager with a positive future (hopefully with us!) instead of another off the merry-go-round. The signs in the two games so far are enough to suggest that if we continue on the same progress trajectory, then we should be more than safe this year, potentially with an outside shot at a playoff push.

Who are the standout players for Carlisle United this season, and which Notts County players do they see as the biggest threats?

All the players have suffered with the tactics of Paul Simpson this season. The only player signed this year that looks to have improved under his leadership is our right-sided defender Archie Davies. Obviously, under the right leadership and tactics, we have some incredibly talented players. Everyone in the lower league knows exactly what players like Jordan Jones and Charlie Wyke are capable of.

Obviously, your injury to Jodi Jones is a big one and one that strengthens our chances. I'd expect Dan Crowley to play the biggest role in the game, being that our standout issue under Williamson is him wanting to play from the back and the question mark over defenders as to whether they fit into that style of play. His runs forward from midfield will cause us a lot of issues if our passing is not up to scratch.

What is the atmosphere like at Brunton Park on match days, and how do Carlisle United fans prepare for big games like this one?

The opposition fans' view on how we travel sums up the support the Blues have. Last season in League 1, most teams ranked us in the top 2 or 3 teams for away following to their grounds that season. The atmosphere at home games is not quite as renowned, and there are definitely more doom and gloomers, but the atmosphere is still there. The improvements to the ground have massively improved the match day experience and have, in turn, improved the atmosphere pre-match. I think one of the positives we have is that despite the improvements and changes to the ground with a brand-new fan zone, more hospitality boxes added, and the improved hospitality offerings, we have managed to keep the charm of the 'old school' stadium, which a lot of these new stadiums lack.

We have a march from the town centre with flags down to the ground, which is organised by a group of people who stand in 'The Warwick'. This is, however, going to be made up of fans from all areas of the ground.

How do Carlisle United supporters view their manager’s tactics and decisions, and what changes would they like to see in the upcoming match?

It's still far too early in Mike Williamson's reign to comment, but I think the vast majority would agree that the early signs have been positive. There were grumbles at his appointment from a minority because of where MK Dons are in the league and the fact we paid a rumoured £200,000 release clause for him and his coaching staff when he was potentially on the verge of the sack. The flip side of that is he took them from 16th/17th last season and got them in the playoffs, albeit putting in the performance they did in the semis. The changes I would personally like to see are the cohesion and being able to execute the tactics like we did in the first half of the last game, for the full 90 minutes.

What are the most memorable moments for Carlisle United fans from previous seasons, and how do they compare to past encounters with Notts County?

The big ones that stand out for me personally are two visits to Wembley. Beating Brentford 1-0 in the JPT final, with Peter Murphy netting the goal 24 hours after the birth of his baby. Then there's the two weeks beating Bradford in the play-off semis and seeing their fans' tears, and then beating Stockport on penalties in our 'weekend in paradise'. Another core memory as a fan is taking Liverpool to penalties and Derek Asamoah scoring in front of the KOP and his celebration to the Liverpool fans. I genuinely believe that was the defining nail in Brendan Rodgers' coffin in his time at the club. He was sacked less than two weeks later. Had they lost, I reckon he'd have been sacked that night.

Obviously, you're unbeaten in 5 against us if my memory is correct. However, the 5-0 at Meadow Lane is probably the defining memory against your team, with big Chaz scoring one and Jabo Ibehre netting a brace.

Which young players have shown the most improvement in their form this year? And how do you think their development will impact the team’s performance in the upcoming matches?

The obvious choices are the two Bournemouth boys, Dom Sadi and Dan Adu-Adjei. Dom Sadi, in particular, has shown massive potential in his first senior role. Most of our senior team aren't seen as 'young'. A couple of the YTS players put in some promising performances in preseason, and hopefully, they can snatch their chances if and when they come.

Final comments from Chris

I would like to express my gratitude to Liam for taking the time to answer my questions. I sent these quite late, and he has come through to give us a brilliant insight into his support of Carlisle United. As for the game, I would honestly take a point because it will allow us to remain undefeated. I can see Carlisle being more of a threat on goal, so defensive solitude will be of importance for Notts. The game should be fairly open, but I have concerns that Carlisle might lift themselves and pull off a good performance against us. I am passing on a prediction this time, it will be quite tight.

Head over to Pride of Nottingham and join the match discussion, where fans are sharing their thoughts on the Carlisle United vs. Notts County clash!

Read our latest article on Pride of Nottingham covering Jodi Jones' injury and how the Notts County star remains determined to bounce back from this setback.



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this is a brilliant opposition view, liam cole has put a lot of effort into these answers and it does make it a very good read. i am looking forward to going carlisle tomorrow, it should be a great game. thank liam for taking the time to answer the question. 👍

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Liam Cole's analysis provides valuable insight into Carlisle United’s season and their potential threats. Mike Williamson’s managerial style, focusing on possession-based football, could test our defensive line significantly. It's crucial for Notts to play with precision and exploit any weaknesses that Liam highlighted, especially their tendency to switch off in the latter stages of the game. It's also worth noting Carlisle’s standout players like Archie Davies, who could pose challenges. Balancing our play between solid defence and smart offensive moves will be key to overcoming Carlisle. Despite their improvement, I trust in our team's consistency and strategic planning to come out on top. Here’s to another positive result for Notts!

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Another great opposition view article. It is great to get the opposition perspective on the match tomorrow.

Notts just need to play at their best against Carlisle. This match is going to be the hardest away match that Notts have faced this season.

If Notts have to grind out a result & get a result ugly then so be it. A good defensive performance & a smash and grab win would be a good result as far as I'm concerned.

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Carlisle United fans might be looking at our injury list and feeling like now is a good time to be playing us. I think they’ll start to pick up points and it could be a difficult game for us for that reason. Jodi Jones is a massive miss. We do have some quality, but the game could be scrappy if neither side takes control of it. Liam Cole’s comments are brilliant, really worth the read.

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It’s going to be tough. I like the insight given by Liam into his club. Carlisle United are a good team but have issues. Greg Abbott, our former assistant manager, is there with them. I recall @Piethagoram mentioning that he works as a scout or something along those lines. I would hope the team that turns up can make it difficult for them, but both teams sound like they are still trying to get a grip of the performances so far this season. We are not yet 10 games in, so results could be hit and miss.

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Liam's insights offer a fresh perspective on Carlisle United’s season and the new direction under Williamson. It appears that the change in management has brought a renewed sense of hope and potential. Given that they’ve shown both brilliance and inconsistency recently, it will be intriguing to see how they stack up against Notts County's style of play. Our defensive line will need to be sharp to counter their newfound aggression, especially if they continue with the possession-based football. It’s definitely set to be a tight contest, and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds!

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I think it's a brilliant read. The answers are detailed and give a good understanding of what it’s like to be a Carlisle United fan. I hope they start improving, but obviously not before Saturday. They have a fantastic ground, which makes me wish I could go! Also, check out what Liam wrote in the comments on Facebook.

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Liam’s take on Carlisle United shows a team in transition, hoping for success under Mike Williamson’s new management. Early signs are promising, and their possession-based play could challenge Notts County. We’ll need to be tactically disciplined, especially with Crowley likely to be influential. Liam’s point about Carlisle’s need for defensive cohesion is interesting, given their recent inconsistencies. We should also watch out for their standout right-sided defender, Archie Davies. However, with our solid track record and consistent form, we should be confident. It’s set to be an exciting match.

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A brilliant read, Liam! Carlisle United's recent games under Williamson sound like they’ve brought renewed energy to the team. For Notts County fans, it’s exciting yet nerve-racking to see how we match up. Our defence needs to remain vigilant, especially against players like Jordan Jones and Charlie Wyke. Liam mentioned their Jekyll-and-Hyde nature, so consistency will be key for both sides. It’s also lovely to hear about the atmosphere at Brunton Park and how the fans are preparing for this match. The passion of the fans is something that always adds to the spectacle.

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