Paul Simpson has called on Carlisle United to “puff our chests out” and be brave against League One’s leaders.

The Blues make the long trip to Portsmouth this weekend for their latest League One showdown.

They will take on John Mousinho’s table-toppers who are League One’s only unbeaten side.

A daunting test appears to await but Simpson says if United show the same approach as they did when winning at Bolton, they can approach the game with confidence.

“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,” said Simpson.

“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?”

News and Star: John Mousinho has led Portsmouth on a 12-game unbeaten league run from the start of the seasonJohn Mousinho has led Portsmouth on a 12-game unbeaten league run from the start of the season (Image: PA)

United’s manager has lamented his side’s inconsistency in recent weeks, after Carlisle followed their brilliant 3-1 win at Bolton with a 1-0 home defeat to Leyton Orient.

Only a return to their efforts in the former can they make the most of the trip to Fratton Park, Simpson maintains.

“It will be another great atmosphere, another great place to go,” said the Blues boss.

“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.”

Pompey are a point clear at the top of the table after eight wins and four draws so far.

On home soil they have won five and drawn two – while Carlisle have not won at Fratton Park since 1984.

This weekend’s trip is the longest on United’s League One calendar, with a round trip of 701.8 miles facing the Blues and their fans.

It starts a run of three long away trips which, after the following weekends bring journeys to Cambridge United and Leyton Orient, will have seen United and their supporters clock up 1,833 miles.