Last updated 12:19, Tuesday, 18 November 2008

Paul Thirlwell believes Grays will try to ambush Carlisle by adopting a physical approach to tonight’s FA Cup replay.

Paul Thirlwell

But the captain, whose return to fitness helped the Blues end their 12-match winless run on Saturday, insists United will not be intimidated by the non-leaguers in Essex.

Carlisle’s long-overdue 3-1 victory over Brighton has boosted confidence at Brunton Park and Thirlwell believes a repeat of that high-octane performance will be enough to put Greg Abbott’s men in round two.

“Grays showed up here in the first game what they are all about,” said Thirlwell. “They will be physical and try to stop us playing. They will try and impose themselves on us, but if we can match the tempo we played at on Saturday, we should go down there and get a positive result.

“We can’t look at how anybody else plays. If we can play like that every week, we are going to cause teams a lot more problems than they cause us.”

Thirlwell was a frustrated spectator when the Blue Square Premier strugglers came within seven minutes of dumping United out of the cup at Brunton Park 10 days ago.

Jamie Stuart’s strike looked set to give Wayne Burnett’s side a famous victory until Gary Madine rescued Abbott with a late header.

Thirlwell has since returned from a calf injury and put in an influential midfield display in the Brighton victory.

The former Sunderland and Derby man believes that impressive team effort has set the standard for United as they try to string together a consistent string of positive results.

“The recent run hasn’t been good for anyone,” he said. “The lads who have put themselves out there week-in, week-out have been the ones to knock down.

“Things have been said about a lack of effort, but to a man in this club everybody gives 110% every week. On Saturday we started at a tempo which we managed to maintain for 90 minutes.

“As players we talk about starting well and we did. The longer the game goes on, it’s always in the back of your mind that we need to score. Fortunately we did, and then the second goal before half time was massive.

“We got as many crosses into the box as we have had for a while. Simon Hackney was back to his best, Cleveland Taylor was fantastic and if anything we should have got more goals.”

Saturday’s triumph was a first significant step for caretaker boss Abbott as he tries to secure the job on a permanent basis after John Ward’s acrimonious departure.

A safe passage to round two tonight – and a home tie with Crewe – will further boost the 44-year-old’s cause.

And Thirlwell believes the team is starting to practice what the high-octane manager preaches.

“As players we proved on Saturday what kind of manager Greg is,” said the skipper. “That’s what he’s all about, the way he wants to play. Greg can’t do any more than he did at the weekend.”