Carlisle finds themselves deep in the automatic promotion race in League Two this season. But after a recent dip in form, manager Paul Simpson has issued a call to arms ahead of the run-in as we approach the end of this season.
The Blues, find themselves winless in their last four, following defeat to title-chasing Leyton Orient on Saturday.
Next up is the visit of Tranmere to Brunton Park on Good Friday. Tranmere makes the trip without a win in their last five games and following the departure of manager Micky Mellon, will be under the stewardship of interim boss Ian Dawes.
Currently sat 14th in the table, Tranmere are not involved in either the regelation battle or playoff battle this season.
Carlisle currently sit two points behind 3rd placed Stevenage and four points behind 2nd placed Northampton, the teams who are currently occupying the other promotion places behind league leaders Leyton Orient.
It’s very tight at the top end of the table, with teams as low as 8th placed Mansfield sitting just seven points behind Stevenage in 3rd place.
The Blues have seven games remaining this season, four of which are at home. They also play Northampton, Stockport and Salford in those seven, all teams with playoff and promotion hopes of their own.
This Easter weekend sees the Blues face both Tranmere and Walsall in the space of four days. Both teams currently sit in mid-table.
Ahead of a vital period for Carlisle, manager Paul Simpson had this message when speaking to the club’s official website.
“We are in a little bit of a situation and we don’t have many who have been here before, or who have been through this kind of thing”
“It doesn’t matter whether I’ve been through it, or anybody else, it’s down to individuals to be able to deal with the mental side of what goes with this.”
“If it is a mental side then they’ve got to be strong enough to come through it. To achieve anything you have to get through this type of little blip that we’re on. It’s a real unfortunate timing, but we’ve got to stick together and go again.”
“You’ve got to do everything you can. We had a go at the end of the game on Saturday but it has to be done from the start.”
Writers View
For me, it is the perfect time to come out and make comments like Paul Simpson has here, this Easter weekend is absolutely vital to Carlisle’s season. You could say the same for most teams up and down the league.
It’s certainly a smart move by Simpson to come out and speak in this way to ensure the group and fans stick together ahead of such a vital time.
This could be a make-or-break season for teams in League Two and I’m very excited but also very nervous.
Whoever you support, I’m sure the weekend can’t come quick enough.
