Keith Curle says he and his Carlisle United players will not rise to criticism and "negativity" as they bid to turn their form around today.

The Blues host Barnet (Brunton Park, 3pm), seeking a much-needed win to get them out of a recent slump.

United's back-to-back defeats at Accrington and Coventry and a fall to 19th in League Two have seen Curle and his players come in for increased criticism.

But the Carlisle boss said he will continue to stand up for his team - and take any flak head-on.

"It's not easy when you lose games and people start creating negativity, or reporting on negativity, or highlighting negativity," he said.

"But part of my job is to make sure I act as the players' representative and make sure I'm available.

"I know you [in the media] will have seen different managers reacting in different ways when things aren't going well.

"Some people will attack the local media, be critical of the manner of their reporting, some of them won't show up and say 'stuff you', I'm not giving you anything.

"Or, do you continue doing the right thing, which is me being a voice and focal point of the football club?

"Some people will shout louder and more than others. Others who have a better understanding of the job I'm trying to do, and see the longevity and level of improvement of their club over a short period of time, might not be as vocal.

"It doesn't mean either of them is right or wrong. Ultimately I will get judged on results at the end of the season.

"I'm not going to shy or hide away. I need to work hard. The same message has gone through to the players. We've got to be prepared to play our way through this. The only way we can turn this around is by what we do on the pitch for 94-95 minutes.

"We went through a period last season when we didn't score in six or seven games. Every team will find stumbling blocks where things aren't going your way. You need to work, maintain that belief and make sure you turn the corner. The players have to earn a performance. Sometimes that means doing the ugly, horrible side of the game.

"There's a very, very honest group of players who are prepared to work. Will they react to criticism? No, I don't want them to. I want them to focus on what they're good at, and what's got us success in the past, and have the belief we need to turn the corner."

In his press conference yesterday Curle also compared his wish not to respond to criticism of his players to a man walking down the road with his girlfriend and ignoring a "group of lads" across the street who were calling her "a minger".

He added: "The players know they've lost two games. There are elements of those that they're not happy about, and collectively they know they can improve.

"They have to do their talking on Saturday afternoons. The important part is that I'm there for them, they understand fully what I want them to do, and they're prepared to go out and face the challenge.

"I don't need to hide. Anybody that wants me, I'm in the technical area. Give me your abuse, and your opinion, but make sure you applaud the players and give them the best opportunity and platform to represent the club."

Curle could hand first Brunton Park appearances to Shamal George, James Brown and Kelvin Etuhu as United seek a first win in five league games today, while defender Mark Ellis is expected to play despite suffering a broken nose at Coventry.

United's manager insisted he would not be affected by any extra tension surrounding this afternoon's game.

"Panic and stress is having kids at home, no job and a mortgage to pay," he added. "This is my job, what I do, turning negatives into positives, trying to go out and win football matches."

Curle's explanation (to Radio Cumbria's James Phillips) of how he is not rising to criticism this week and instead preferring to put his arm around his players:

"It's Saturday, and you've planned to go out with your missus. You know what she's gonna wear, what fragrance she'll be wearing, you know where you're going, and know what your night's gonna be like.

"You're walking down the road, hand in hand, and across the road a group of lads start shouting and abusing your missus, saying she's not very nice, quite ugly, 'what are you doing with her on your arm? She's a minger'.

"What would you do? What you want to do is cross the road, confront them, take them all on. But you've got your missus with you. You turn round, look at her, and what do you see? Sad eyes. So do you confront them, have a go at them, or do you make sure you look after the person that's closest to you?

"I've got a football team that's getting criticised by lots of people. What do I do? Do I turn around and start barracking them, or do I look after my team? I'm making sure those sad eyes believe in me.

"If your missus turns around and sees any doubt in your mind - sees you thinking, 'oh, you're not the best, are you' - what does she think? I can't afford to cross the road and take [those people] on. It would be like me taking on the Paddock with my trousers down.

"I've got to make sure that changing room feels loved, wanted, cared for and - hey - a little bit sexy at times as well."