Steven Pressley insists he doesn’t think there is a confidence issue at Carlisle United, despite the Blues’ recent poor form.

United have taken just two points from their last five matches, with the latest defeat, a 2-0 loss at Newport County on Saturday, sending the Cumbrians down to ninth in a tight promotion race. Despite their recent form, Carlisle remain only a single point outside the top seven.

“The one good thing is we’re still a point off the play-offs, which is a big thing for us,” said Blues boss Pressley who is now preparing his side for Saturday’s home clash against Swindon.

“But we have to start getting back to winning ways, no doubt about it.”

Pressley felt there were some positives to take from United’s loss at Rodney Parade to Mike Flynn’s side, despite goals from Ade Azeez and Padraig Amond consigning them to defeat.

He said: “I thought we showed good confidence in possession, especially our midfield three, we dominated the ball at times, [and] put them under pressure.

“I don’t think it’s a confidence issue, it’s just tidying up on the small parts.

"If we do that, then we’re a good team.”

Swindon manager Richie Wellens, meanwhile, yesterday was nominated for February’s Sky Bet League Two manager of the month award.

He has seen his side accumulate 10 points from the last 12 available. That run of form has helped to move the Robins up to 10th in the league table, one place and three points behind Carlisle but with a game in hand on the Cumbrians.

“We prepare again, and we analyse again, and I’ll look at it, and as we spoke about after the game, the players openly said we need to tidy up on those small details of not conceding from those moments [such as opposition set-pieces],” said Pressley who is set to welcome back playmaker Jamie Devitt.