Kidderminster Harriers boss Paul Wotton says his side will respect but not “fear” Carlisle United on Saturday.
The manager of this weekend’s visitors says Carlisle are the biggest club in the National League and fully expects them to be in the promotion race.
But Wotton says his side are full of anticipation for the challenge at Brunton Park.
“It is a long way and it’s going to be a tough game, but it’s a game we’re really, really looking forward to,” said Wotton.
“They’ve picked up, Carlisle – they’ve got a good squad, a good manager, they’ve had two wins on the bounce, and we know we’re going to be up against it.
“But there’s no fear. There’s a massive amount of respect there, of course. But there’s no fear. We’ve got nothing to fear, nothing to go there and be worried about.
“They’re a good team, a strong squad and I’ve got no doubt in my mind that they’ll be right up there challenging at the end of the season.
“But I’ve spoken about this a few times now – this is what we’re in the league for, these games. That’s why the club strived so hard to get promoted, for games like this.”
Kidderminster sit eighth after a positive start to the campaign following their promotion through the National League North play-offs.
Wotton, who replaced Barrow-bound manager Adam Murray in the summer, said even some of Carlisle’s lesser results mask how strong Rob Elliot’s side are.
“They lost 5-2 against Woking but could have been 4-0 up,” he said in a club interview.
“They’re a really strong team, a strong squad – probably the biggest club in the league. Well, not probably – they are, with tradition and the size of the ground and fanbase and stuff.
“We can’t wait ‘til 12.30pm Saturday.”
Kidderminster are without a win in four but will be boosted by the return of some key players on Saturday, such as top scorer Lewis Walker, who is back from suspension.
Defender Richard Faakye is also set to return from a ban.
“We’re in a tough run of games on paper, as in they look difficult fixtures and they’ve proved to be so,” added Wotton, who works under director of football Dean Holdsworth, twin brother of former Carlisle DOF David Holdsworth.
“But we’ve been in every game. We’re difficult to play against, [even if] there are lots of things we can polish up on.
“It tested the squad last weekend, and fortunately we’ve got a few back for what’s going to be another tough test at Carlisle.
“We’re over a quarter of the way through the season and so far we’ve competed really well. But there’s no getting above ourselves. It’s a very demanding, ruthless league so we keep working as hard as we possibly can.”
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