We spoke to our new Head Coach, Mike Williamson, shortly after he arrived at Brunton Park on Thursday morning.
“It's been a whirlwind, as they always are," he said. "I've just had a look around. It's a fantastic club and I'm really excited, I've got a lot of energy and I'm looking forward to getting started.
“Obviously it's a difficult situation, but I spoke to the owners and spoke to Nigel and you can just feel the passion, the club is incredibly well supported.
“It's a historic club, as soon as I spoke to the owners, you could see the passion and the values that they embodied.
“It's really exciting, I can see all the developments going on.
“I just want to get on the grass, I want to meet the lads now. Really exciting times and we just want to come here and make sure that we give everything we've got and we're here to support the club and do what we possibly can and we know we can help the players on the field as well.”
The Blues faced Mike's former-club MK Dons earlier in the season, and there was a clear style of play on show. We asked if that was something he was looking to implement quickly here, he answered:
“Yes, I think you're going to see development of course, we've got a certain way we want to play, but mainly we just want to bring intensity and excitement and we want to attack the back line at every opportunity.
“We want to connect that with the fans and we want the fans to get behind the team and create that real unity, because when Brunton Park rocking, it's a force.
“For me, it's about fast attacking football. We've obviously got ways we want to play and we want to control certain elements, but we want to score goals and we want to get the fans off the seats.”
On being asked if we had the squad to play that style, Mike said:
“Yes, definitely. It's a very good squad here and I've worked with a few of the players beforehand so obviously the team have been catching up. I've come with my coaching staff as well, which is incredibly important.
“We've got some really good players and we'll be looking at things and we'll definitely be able to put our stamp on it, but I think the nucleus here and the energy and the personality in the squad is definitely something to look forward to.”
We knew Mike had played with Jon Mellish, and coached Taylor Charters, he discussed the relationships he has with the team:
"I know Ethan Robson and Luke Armstrong as well, I played with Luke at Gateshead. There's a lot of personalities, Jon [Mellish] being a very big one in the changing room. Good guys though, that's the main pull and the attraction.
“You've got good, honest, hard-working people and if we all pull in the right direction and it's going to be a powerful thing.”
On the poor start, and as some would say ‘hangover’ from last year’s relegation, he explained:
“For me, the owners have got a clear vision of where they want to go and so have we.
“All the work is on now, being in the present and the future. We've got a clear way and the club has as well and that goes hand in hand. That's really important, that's aligned.
“We want the lads coming in with a smile on their face and enjoying their work every single day. We want to connect them to the way we play and make sure that from the coaching staff, to the boardroom, to the fans, it's all aligned. I think the way we get the best out of it is by focusing on where we're going.”
On promotion still being the aim this season, Mike said:
“As a club, you want to be ambitious. For us, it's just coming in and trying to effect change now.
“We want to meet the guys and our whole focus is on what we can achieve today in training. Get the energy and get the smiles going and get the chemistry going.
“Ambition is really important, it gives you hope and it gives us belief. This club has got that and we have as well. For us, we've just got to make sure we make the biggest impact and try to evoke as much change as we can now.”
On the plans for training before Swindon, Mike said:
“I think the relationships are going to take time. We've got certain methods that we want to employ and the lads will get to know us.
“I think there's a lot of carryover with some of the coaching staff as well that work with the players. They know who we are and what we are and we just want to come in and make sure that they feel that. It creates that good feeling.
“It's going to be coming in and assessing things. The guys that I've been looking at have done a really good job and we've just been chatting with them. It's going to be a joint effort this week and things will take shape next week.”
“We've got a good working week next week. It will be a busy few weeks ahead. I'm looking forward to getting to know the 18s and all the way through the club. I think it's really important.
“I know that they're excited about the academy here and the programme and some exciting players. That's what we're looking to bring in as well and any exciting youth to come through and open that pathway for them. Working with the first team as well and creating that understanding and togetherness.”
Mike enjoyed an excellent playing career, most notably with his time at Newcastle, we asked how that has aided his journey as a coach, he said:
“I think it just helps. Firstly, I've played all through the whole football pyramid.
“You get to see standards and you get to see people's habits and why people play at the top levels for so long. You can try and help and support the lads and especially the younger lads that are new to the journey. I think the main thing is just understanding what we're trying to achieve and be laser focused on that.
“In football, we all love it because of the uncertainty and the competition. It creates noise and there's a lot of pressure on these boys as well. It's up to us to try and remove as much pressure as we can to let them go out there and see why they started playing football.
“You have to enjoy it, embody it and play with that freedom and that smile. I just think over the years, you have so many ups and downs as yourselves have probably experienced in many years here.
"There's good times and there's going to be tough times but you see people's personality and character when things aren't going well. You just work harder and then you know the good times are not far off.”
On his time at Gateshead, Mike said: "I loved it, every minute. I went in as a player under Steve Watson and then as a player coach under Ben Clark. I was fortunate enough to take the player coach role there and we had some fantastic years. Some difficult years too, where we had to build something from scratch.
“I always look back with fond memories and we're still very connected there. Again, I come here and I get that feeling. I get the feeling of a real community-based club with real ambition and real passion.
“It really embodies that value and I think that's really important.”
On his decision to leave MK Dons, Mike said: “There was a multitude of reasons. I think obviously again about how well supported Carlisle are and how passionate these guys are.
“I live in the North East and my family are settled there so obviously there's a lot of elements that go into it.
“The project and the owners were key. From the outside there's nothing but good said about them.
“You can see they just want it for the community, they want it for the supporters. I really liked that, I really liked the feel and that was important to me.”
On bringing his coaching staff with him, and the importance of that, Mike said:
“They're core to everything I do and we do as a group. We've got Carl Magnay, Chris Bell and Ian Watson, who I've worked with the longest.
“We all embody the same values in terms of people and the standards that we demand on the pitch. They're looking forward to getting their teeth into this. Looking forward to getting started on the exciting project.
Finally, speaking on the supporters, Mike said:
“I'm just looking forward to meeting them, I really am. Looking forward to building that relationship.
“The fans, the press and the media all have a real effect on the feeling around those players. It's really important that we all come together and we all align, from the owners, all the way through. I know guys living in the North East and up here where sport is a religion and it's in our blood.
“We love that. They're massive, they are the football club. Really looking forward to meeting them and starting the journey.
“Really excited and just want to see real intensive and honest hard-working performances and for them to get behind that.”
Watch this interview on CUTV HERE.
