Pericard began his career with St Etienne in France

Carlisle United striker Vincent Pericard has called on his team-mates not to take Morecambe lightly in their FA Cup first round tie on Saturday.

United lie 30 places above the Shrimpers, who are struggling in League Two, but Pericard believes that overconfidence could cost them dear.

"It's a mistake that every superior team makes - they think it's going to be easy," he told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"You always get a surprise because those teams run harder, tackle harder."

Pericard's efforts have impressed Carlisle fans, who have appreciated his work ethic and team play, while player-coach Graham Kavanagh has been the subject of criticism from supporters.

But the Frenchman says he can sympathise with Kavanagh and believes he has the experience to cope with the pressure - as his two goals against Charlton proved.

"I had to cope in my first year at Stoke - when you are a new player, you want to play for the fans and when they are not on your side and are on your back it's is very tough psychologically," he said.

"If you are not strong enough then it can bring you down and that's what happened to me unfortunately. But I was young and I have learned from my mistakes.

"He's not young any more so he just forgets about it and moves on."

Pericard began his career at St Etienne and played Champions League football with Juventus before moving to England to join Portsmouth.

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