Bromley boss: Hughes' Blues "aren't a bottom of the table team" - Iqraa news

Bromley boss Andy Woodman insists Carlisle United under Mark Hughes are not a “bottom of the table team” ahead of this weekend’s clash.

The Blues are 24th and nine points from safety as they prepare to face Woodman’s 11th-placed Ravens.

But the Bromley chief says his side have no right to expect anything other than a tough afternoon against Hughes’s strugglers.

It is the clubs’ first meeting at Brunton Park, the teams having drawn 1-1 at Hayes Lane last November in their first ever EFL encounter when Mike Williamson was in charge of the Blues.

“That wasn’t a great day for us,” said Woodman. “We created a lot of chances in that game, and then we did some silly things – we had a sending-off and then they scored right at the death, which left a dampener on the day.

“But that said, they’re a different Carlisle team now under Mark and with Glyn Hodges there who I know.

“They’re certainly not a bottom-of-the-table team, so we won’t be treating them like that.

“We don’t have the right to treat anybody like that. We’re the new boys in the league and we take every games as if it’s our biggest game of the season, because they generally are.

“None of our boys have played for Bromley at Carlisle before. We’ll be going up there respecting them, knowing it’s a tough place to go, it’s a huge pitch, and if their crowd get behind them they can generate a good atmosphere.

The clubs' first ever league meeting finished 1-1 at Hayes Lane last November (Image: Richard Parkes)

“We understand all of that. But we’ll be going there like we always do, and make sure we take care of what we’re about, and stick to our principles and our way of playing.”

Bromley are still in with a shout of the League Two play-offs in their first season in the EFL, having won the National League play-offs last term.

They sit six points outside the top seven with nine games left.

Woodman, whose squad includes ex-Carlisle duo Byron Webster and Harry McKirdy, has urged his players to do all they can to remain in the race.

“It’s the most enjoyable bit of the season,” he added in " target="_blank" class="link"> a club interview. “Since I’ve been here we’ve never had nothing to play for at this stage.

“I’ve told the players what’s expected, and I made sure they’re clear in their heads this isn’t about switching off and relaxing.

“We’ve got to try and put pressure on that top seven somehow. We have to win football matches to get into that top seven.

“I’ve laid that on the players. We’ve got no room for error. We’re chasing the pack. That’s the mindset of the group.”

Woodman is this weekend without midfielder Cameron Congreve, who is on international duty with Wales Under-21s and came off the bench in their 1-0 win over Andorra on Friday. They also face Sweden on Sunday.

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