Carlisle United must tonight try to do what most sides in League Two have failed to achieve this season – and stop Dom Telford.
The Newport County striker has an impressive 25 goals to his name from just 30 appearances in 2021/22.
And the prolific frontman will pose an obvious threat to the Blues’ bid to make it five wins on the spin under Paul Simpson.
Such is his remarkable record that Telford's current spell of three games without scoring is his longest drought of the campaign.
Two of his tally came against the Blues back in October’s 2-2 draw, at a time Gavin Skelton was in caretaker charge of the Cumbrians.
The United assistant manager says Telford’s threat needs no spelling out – but says James Rowberry’s third-placed Exiles are dangerous in other areas too.
“He’s got 25 goals, plays on the shoulder and is a good threat,” Skelton said.
“If you score that many goals you’re obviously a good player.
“He’s not just done it one season, he’s done it previously with Plymouth and Bury and had a good record there too.
“He’s a threat, and they’ve got some good footballers. They’ve got experience in this league, at the back, and some young loanees from different clubs that are very neat, tidy and positive.
“If you’re second or third over 35 games you must be a good side, and they’ve shown they can do both sides of the game – play a bit, compete a bit, good at set plays…they’re a really good side.
“We’ve watched quite a lot of them. In the second half at Stevenage [a 2-0 win on Saturday] they were really good and perhaps could have gone on and won by more. Against Bristol Rovers they were good too.
“We’re aware and the players will be aware of how good a side they are. But the run we’re on we’re confident we can cause them problems and let them worry about us as well.”
The 2-2 draw last October, where Joe Riley and Zach Clough scored for Carlisle, came just before Rowberry’s arrival as Michael Flynn’s successor at Rodney Parade.
The former Cardiff City coach currently has County on a six-game unbeaten run.
“They’ve changed a bit to be fair [since the last meeting],” Skelton added.
“They’ve changed shape a little bit but have still got players who’ve been there a long time. They mix it up, and are a threat, and you know even if they’re not in the game they’ve got a goalscorer who can do it.
“They’re a good side and I wouldn’t be surprised if they end up a top three team.”
United saw off League Two’s second-placed side in Northampton on Saturday and Skelton hopes the bandwagon can keep rolling.
“We’re excited and looking forward to it – you want to embrace it and keep that energy and momentum going, that good feeling,” added Simpson’s No2.
“We respect them but if we’re are at it, the rest will take care of itself. If we’re not, it will be a difficult game.
“The players should be embracing and looking forward to it, rather than feeling nervous. We’ve had enough of them where every game feels tough no matter who when it’s not going well.
“When it’s going well you look forward to games. We have to maintain that desire and will to win.”
Jamie Devitt is United’s main injury question mark tonight after going off with a hamstring problem on Saturday.
“Hopefully it’s not as bad as we thought at the weekend but we’ll see how he is,” said Skelton.
READ MORE: Gavin Skelton: How Simmo and players have improved Carlisle United's fortunes
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