Keith Curle insists Carlisle United can take inspiration from Exeter in their bid to turn their struggling season around.

The Grecians were in the relegation zone last November – only to mount a dramatic resurgence to reach the play-offs.

Curle is facing growing criticism from fans after the Blues’ defeat at Coventry left them 19th in League Two.

But ahead of this weekend’s home clash with Barnet, the United manager referred to the time last winter when Exeter boss Paul Tisdale – now top of the league – was facing calls for his head.

Curle said: “Keep the belief. Sometimes you have to iron out issues, errors, mistakes, and you’ve got to grow stronger with it. Stay a part of it.

“I know we played Exeter last season and when we beat them, they were bottom of the league.

“Everyone was calling for the manager’s head, everybody was shouting and screaming, saying he was this and he was that, the team are this and the team are that. The players aren’t this and aren’t that.

“The best thing you can do - the only way you can shut them up – is be prepared to work, be prepared to graft, and keep the belief. Unity.”

Curle called his players in for training yesterday morning just hours after they returned from their defeat at their Ricoh Arena.

Curle said the extra session was not designed as punishment after United’s worrying back-to-back defeats.

He also said he had faith in the quality he has at his disposal in the squad.

Curle said: “Of course there are qualities. The skills sets we’ve got in the building are decent.

“The attitude towards hard work is also there – being asked to come in and work isn’t a problem for these players.

“It’s not getting them in and punishing them. We’re not like that as a group. We need to identify areas we can still improve on. Deliveries, qualities, decision-making from players in key areas at key times, needs to be better.”

Curle was adamant United’s first-half display had given grounds for encouragement though he accepted they did not threaten Coventry enough after the break.