Simmo salutes Carlisle United support for Bolton Wanderers

Some 4,500 Blues fans snapped up tickets to back the team at the Toughsheet Community Stadium (kick-off 3pm) in a huge show of away-day support.

It comes as United take on one of League One’s top sides in their own back yard - though late train cancellations by Avanti West Coast could hit the travelling numbers.

Running out in front of a big travelling support will provide a real lift, the manager said.

“It’s incredible,” said Simpson of the numbers. “And it certainly gives you a boost.

“I remember as a player coming out when we’ve had good support, whoever I was playing for, and it makes a difference, gives you a real lift.

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“I’ll be honest, it shouldn’t make you want to work harder, because I only want them to give 100 per cent anyway, they can’t give any more than that.

“But it certainly gives you something to go for.

“I always tell the players just to get a vision in your mind of the end of the game when you’ve got a positive result, going and thanking them – that’s what we have to use to drive us on and inspire us [today].”

United’s fans will visit Bolton’s ground for the first time with the Blues’ only other trip coming during the 2020/21 Covid lockout.

It is United fans' first visit to Bolton Wanderers' stadium (Image: PA)

But many fans' plans have been dashed by the decision to cancel trains north of Preston because of concerns over the weather.

“This is reminding me of my days when we were in the Conference, and the support we took to places like Leigh RMI and Northwich was absolutely incredible,” added Simpson of the ticket sales.

“The supporters have been brilliant for us – can’t fault them this season.

“As much as I’m disappointed with where we are in the league table and what’s gone on so far in League One, I’m not disappointed with the supporters.”

• Simmo: How Carlisle United can look to 'exploit' Bolton

Simpson must weigh up whether to recall Paul Huntington today after leaving the captain on the bench against Peterborough United in midweek.

Keeper Jokull Andresson will return from suspension but Tomas Holy is set to keep his place in goal.

Simpson wants his team to “channel” the good feelings of Tuesday’s dramatic fightback against Peterborough.

Jokull Andresson, left, is back from suspension, but Tomas Holy is set to keep his place in goal (Image: Richard Parkes)

“It is a mental thing. You can’t stick it in a bottle and let them all have a little sip of it, but we have to take the feeling we had and use that,” said Simpson.

“I think there are times when you have a negative where you use that to make sure you don’t feel like that again, and this is a positive to make sure we do everything to try and get that back again.

“I think it’s one of those things of momentum. If we’re going into the Bolton game on the back of another defeat after the Derby and Wycombe ones, it does your head in a little bit.

“But going into it off the back of how we finished the game…and not just that, but some of the bits of football we played against Peterborough as well, how we defended as a team, how we pressed as a team, how we passed the ball as a team…we can take those bits of positive momentum into the game as well.”

Bolton sit third in the table with ex-Carlisle players Kyle Dempsey and Jack Iredale likely starters for Ian Evatt’s side.

Simpson added: “It’s a great game to look forward to. We have to go and enjoy that opportunity to play there.

“We all know it’s going to be a tough game, but they’re all tough. I think over the season it’s fair to say we’ve been in games, we’ve been close but not close enough – we have to try and narrow that gap we’re finding and do it as quickly as possible to get more points on the board.”