Mike Williamson insisted he was not worried for his job despite Carlisle United fans chanting for his removal during the defeat to Morecambe.
A wretched Boxing Day at Brunton Park saw the Blues beaten 1-0 by their rivals in the League Two relegation zone.
Chants of ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’ and ‘Williamson out’ were aimed at the head coach as Carlisle slumped back to the foot of the table.
Williamson said he understood supporters’ frustration and admitted that only results, rather than words, could win them over.
But asked, in light of the chants, if he was concerned for his future at United, he said: “Not at all. I've got a job and I'm going to watch the game right now, just look at what's available and now my focus is on lifting the boys tomorrow.”
On his response to the stick he received from fans during and after the game, Williamson added: “I don't have to lift myself, I've got to lift the boys. As a coach and staff, we've got to do everything we possibly can.
“I can completely understand their [the fans'] frustration and their anger, but for me, the only way of convincing them is getting results.
Boos at the final whistle - and then plenty more aimed at Williamson as he heads for the tunnel after this wretched Boxing Day defeat #cufc @newsandstar pic.twitter.com/l6jj4122Xw
— Jon Colman (@joncolman) December 26, 2024
“We'll not be able to say anything that is going to change people's minds. I hope that when we do turn it around and we are winning games, then their opinions are able to change.
“It just shows you the size of the football club, the attendance [9,225] was phenomenal, but it's gone through a couple of really tough years. We need to heal and we need to turn it around as quick as possible.”
Gwion Edwards’ second-half goal proved the difference as Carlisle produced a dismal performance in the six-pointer.
They also had Jon Mellish controversially sent off for a challenge on Shrimps midfielder Tom White, with Williamson confirming Carlisle would appeal the decision.
The day in terms of performance and result could not have gone any worse as Carlisle’s relegation fears only intensified.
“In the first 20 minutes we missed a couple of chances and that changed our whole feeling in the game and it really shaped the rest of the game,” said Williamson.
“After that, it was far from good enough.”
On why United’s performance fell so far short of what was needed, especially in a second half when they created no chances of note, he said: “It's emotion, it's pressure, it's anxiety. That's what it is.
“Obviously the best players in the world are there because they aren't fazed by the challenge in front of them.
“But we're working extremely hard to try and get the quality that we see day in, day out on the training field in a game like that.
“When we look at the performances that have been really far off it, it's because the pressure and the occasion has affected us.”
Williamson said he took “full responsibility” for the performance and said Carlisle were aiming to “bring goalscorers in” during the January transfer window.
United were again missing Callum Guy and Ben Williams to illness, while Georgie Kelly is set for a scan on his latest calf injury. Tyler Burey missed the game with a hamstring problem but Williamson said a scan has shown the problem not to be serious.
Carlisle have also recalled teenager Jake Allan from his loan at Workington Reds given the absentees from the squad at the moment.
Share