Wycombe Wanderers boss Matt Bloomfield has highlighted Carlisle United’s “continuity” after promotion as a reason the Blues should be respected.

The Chairboys manager says his side will face a well-drilled team under a proven management set-up this weekend.

Bloomfield says the way Carlisle maintained much of their squad after coming up from League Two means they are well placed to find their feet in the third tier.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash at Adams Park, he said: “We know we’re in for a tough afternoon against a really well-organised, really well-drilled Carlisle team that had great success last season.

“They’ve had good continuity with the amount of players they’ve kept together, and added quality at the top end of the pitch as well.

“They’ve done a great job at Carlisle – a proven management team who know how to get results. There are some real stand-out performers for them and we know we’re in for a tough afternoon – we’ve got to be ready to go.”

Wycombe sit 11th in the table after eight games, having won four, drawn one and lost three so far.

At home in 2023/24 the Buckinghamshire outfit have won two, drawn one and lost one.

“We want to carry on the little bit of momentum that we’ve had in the last few weeks, with a good win against Blackpool, some pleasing aspects of the performance at Charlton last week – ultimately it wasn’t a win but we’ve got to show the hunger and desire to put on a performance at home,” added Bloomfield on his club’s official channels.

News and Star: Bloomfield's last game in charge of Colchester came against Carlisle in February - days before he was appointed Wycombe bossBloomfield's last game in charge of Colchester came against Carlisle in February - days before he was appointed Wycombe boss (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Bloomfield has already encountered United in his fledgling managerial career, as he recalled.

“Our last game at Colchester was up at Carlisle [in February] – we got beat 1-0, so we feel like we’ve had a good look at them in the recent past.

“We were all up there for that game then the phonecall came from Rob [Couhig, Wycombe owner] on the Monday to come back down here.”

Bloomfield also recalled his part in Wycombe’s last meeting with United at Adams Park.

The Chairboys legend played in the home side’s 4-3 victory over Keith Curle’s United, Wycombe having been trailing 3-2 after 90 minutes only to fight back then win it through a last-gasp Marcus Bean volley.

“I scored [the first goal] in that game,” he said.

“And that elation you get from those winning moments is incredible. That game typified the group we had that time that went on to win promotion.”

Wycombe could welcome back defender Ryan Tafazolli tomorrow, but Jack Grimmer, Joe Jacobson and Jason McCarthy are out.

Ex-Blues favourite Richard Keogh is also in the Chairboys’ squad.