United kick off the second month of the new year at Field Mill as they go up against Mansfield Town.
The month of January has provided a snapshot of how this season has gone for the Stags with four defeats and two victories from their six league fixtures.
That came off the back of a winless December which saw them slip down the table, and the difficult run leaves them currently sat fourth from bottom, but with an eight-point cushion between themselves and bottom spot.
A comfortable 3-0 victory over promotion chasing Bradford last time out at Field Mill was a welcome victory on home soil, but they were brought back down to earth on Tuesday night when they lost 3-1 at Boundary Park against Oldham.
Goals most certainly haven't been a problem with Nicky Maynard weighing in with a more than credible 13 already. The ever-reliable Danny Rose has nine and Andy Cook - a product of the Carlisle United youth system - has notched seven so far this season.
Defensively they have looked to help to plug the leaks with the January additions of former-Plymouth right back Joe Riley and Newcastle United defender Kelland Watts, in from the Magpies on a half-season loan deal.
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From the head coach
Speaking ahead of the game, Chris Beech said: "As ever with this division this will be a completely different test for us on Saturday.
"Mansfield have some very good players and they will be unhappy with their league position. We're at a stage of the season where everybody needs points for their own reasons and it's no different for both teams this weekend.
"We know the threats they have because they have strikers and attacking players who can score goals and create good opportunities, but we'll prepare properly and, as always, it comes down to what we do.
"For us, this week has been about recovery and preparation. It's been a tough period but the players have responded well and they've got the rewards for the hard work they've put in.
"I still want more, and it's important that we now add consistency to that hard work. We've made ourselves harder to beat, which is really pleasing, and now we want to continue to add the points to go with these good performances we're seeing."
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Head2Head
| Carlisle wins | Draws | Mansfield wins | |
| League | 28 | 16 | 31 |
| Cup | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| FA Cup | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 30 | 17 | 32 |
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Highlights from previous meetings
The last time we met was at the beginning of this season when the Stags came north to Brunton Park. It was a game where United struggled to get going and they were undone early in the game by a deep cross to the back post. Danny Rose arrived late to smash it into the net. The advantage was doubled on the stroke of half time, and that's how it stayed as the visitors went away with a 2-0 victory.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
Carlisle United 3 - 2 Mansfield Town - Saturday 5 January 2019
Mansfield Town 1 - 0 Carlisle United - Saturday 1 September 2018
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Match officials
Our match referee this weekend is Jarred Gillett. Mr Gillett has taken charge of 19 games so far this season showing 66 yellow cards and two reds.
A former Australian A League official he made the switch to the English leagues in April 2019 and has spent this season refereeing at Championship level.
This is his first Carlisle United fixture.
Referee - Jarred Gillett
Assistant Referee 1 - Shaun Hudson
Assistant Referee 2 - Mark Pottage
Fourth Official - Nik Barnard
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Is that a fact?
The Domesday Book compiled in 1086 has the settlement recorded as Mammesfeld whereas in later market-petition documents of 1227 the spelling had changed to Maunnesfeld.
By the time Richard II signed a warrant in November 1377 granting the right for tenants to hold a four-day fair every year, the spelling had changed again to Mannesfeld.
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Match tickets
Full match ticket details are HERE.
You can purchase your tickets online HERE.
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