On paper, Carlisle United’s trip to Fratton Park on Saturday looks like a home win. Portsmouth are unbeaten, and a point clear of the pack at the top of the League One table. Whereas United are sitting just outside the early drop zone, winning just one of their six away games this season.
However, we all know how unpredictable football is, and games like this can bring out the fighting spirit in teams.
That is something Carlisle manager Paul Simpson is hoping for. That only away so far was at Bolton Wanderers, so The Blues know how to win on a big stage.
Bravery Needed
Simpson told The Cumberland News. “It’s a brilliant game to look forward to. If you can’t get up for that game as a member of staff or as a player, we have got problems.
“It’s a game we have to really go and get our chests puffed out and go and play with enthusiasm, play with energy, play with a bit of bravery and who knows what can come?”
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After their win at Bolton earlier this month, they fell at home to Leyton Orient, so as much as this is a difficult task, a consecutive road win will show that Carlisle can mix it with bigger teams and start to pull away from the threat of a relegation scrap.
“It will be another great atmosphere, another great place to go. We just have to get ourselves ready for it. And we know if we approach the game like we did in the first half against Leyton Orient, it will be a tough game.
“If we approach it like we did at Bolton – a different game, different formation to play against, but with the same mentality – we will do ourselves justice.”
Writer’s View
Paul Simpson will get his side ready for this game, knowing that they can pull off a surprise win. History is against them, Carlisle not having won at Pompey since 1984, and the longest away trip of the season could be a factor too. But, they have picked up points against some of the teams at the top this year, and if they can find the formula that helped them to their 3-1 win at Bolton, then they have every chance of upsetting the odds.
