Carlisle in for rude wake-up call from United
Jermaine Beckford Carlisle United v Leeds United
WITH excitement approaching fever-pitch in Carlisle as the town prepares for its biggest football attendance in more than 30 years, there is a feeling in Cumbria that the last remaining unbeaten record in the Football League is about to end.
The manner in which John Ward's side have stormed to the top of League One is a factor behind such optimism, as is the departure this week of Dennis Wise's trusted lieutenant, Gus Poyet, to Spurs.
Losing such an influential figure will, according to a large number of Carlisle devotees, have disrupted Leeds to such an extent that they will wilt in front of what is certain to be a seething cauldron of an atmosphere as Brunton Park is filled to its 16,600 capacity.
One man, however, who is adamant the loss of Poyet will not be a factor today is Wise, the United manager pointing to the way in which his players thrashed Millwall last weekend as evidence that any disruption will be kept to a minimum.
Asked what impact losing the Uruguayan would have against the League One leaders today, he replied: "None at all. The change came last week when Gus left.
"The players were told on the Friday what the situation was. I said there was a massive possibility Gus would not be coming back.
"The main thing is it is coaches and managers who give players ideas and mine have not changed. The players just have to keep doing what they have to do. No one from the playing side has left, do you see what I am getting at?
"There is nothing too different about what is happening. They know their jobs and that will not change.
"I told them before Millwall 'these things happen, but you are a group of players who will not let this affect you'.
"If there was going to be any effect it would have been at the start of the season when the difficult situations occurred. They were much bigger.
"It was slightly flat on the Friday (before Millwall), but the players adjusted. This is a completely different game, it is Carlisle.
"Maybe some people outside this club will be thinking 'Gus has gone, Leeds may lose because of that'. But that will not be the case. It will be all about us trying to get a result on the day, nothing else."
All tickets for today's game were sold a couple of days ago to ensure that Carlisle will host their biggest crowd since 20,001 watched the visit of Sunderland in 1976.
Leeds, who have won 11 and drawn two of their opening 13 games, will have two new faces in the technical area today with Dave Bassett having succeeded Poyet as assistant manager.
Former Notts County assistant manager John Gannon, a player under Bassett at Sheffield United, has also joined the coaching staff so Leeds will not be short of experience with the new boys joining Wise, goalkeeping coach Andy Beasley and Joe Allon in the away dugout.
Wise said: "John knows the game and he is a good coach. He is someone I know well and trust well. And 'Harry' brings experience and he also knows the game.
"We do not need too many fresh ideas. Harry and me had a chat and he said 'you are doing fine'. If there is anything that needs tweaking, we will do it.
"I have told Harry how we have been playing and how we go about things. It is always nice to have an experienced manager to give you ideas."
Such experience could be invaluable as United look to bring to an end Carlisle's impressive record since Ward replaced Neil McDonald as manager.
Wise said: "It is going to be a tough game. Carlisle have played six at home and won four of them, they are doing very well. I expect them to play 4-4-1-1.
"I have seen a couple of DVDs of them and they look a solid outfit. They have not had too many injuries – if they get a few of them, it might change.
"But they defend as a team and make it very difficult for you. They seem to have been nicking results 1-0."
Wise will be forced into at least one change with Ian Westlake having broken a toe in training on Tuesday.
It means a potential headache for the Leeds manager with Alan Thompson and loanee Radostin Kishishev already having been ruled out.
Shaun Derry returned to action with the reserves in midweek, but Wise considers the midfielder well short of match fitness and wants him to go out on loan.
Leeds had been hoping to bring in a loan striker before the trip to Cumbria, but have travelled with no back-up to first-choice pair, Jermaine Beckford and Tresor Kandol.
Beckford, in particular, will be keen to shine after a disappointing loan spell at Brunton sPark last season when he failed to impress in four outings.
YP
