David Holdsworth insisted it would be “stupid” to consider Carlisle United in a relegation battle and said: I’m thinking positively.

The managerless Blues are third bottom in League Two ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Tranmere.

Fans are increasingly concerned about United’s plight as they sit just three points above bottom position in the fourth tier.

But director of football Holdsworth, who is involved in the search for a new boss, dismissed the r-word when asked about the importance of the appointment.

“I don’t want to sound disparagingly, but it’s stupid to think that way,” he said at a press conference.

“Think positively. I don’t want to go down that road of thinking about that word.

“I’ve never been relegated in my life, I’m not even considering that. I’d rather worry about the salt and pepper on my chips.”

Holdsworth said he understands fans’ frustrations about United’s form.

He said all involved have to relish the pressure to perform better and bring about improvement.

“Of course I [understand fans’ frustration] – they’re good people, they pay their money,” he said.

“It’s about time some people roll their sleeves up.

“I’ll give you transparency. I’m not thinking about that [relegation battle]. We’ve got to be positive and work hard.”

“There’s always pressure,” he added. “You have to enjoy it, roll your sleeves up.

“Supporters want three points, they want to see their team win, not be third from bottom. I understand that. It’s not a position I’m very happy with.

“Every day I see myself looking forward rather than reflecting and thinking what’s the point? The point is we want to make this club win.”

Holdsworth said United had to judge carefully the task of finding a new boss after the sacking of Chris Beech.

Referring to the balance between being patient for the right man and addressing the urgency of United’s position, he said: “It’s not easy, it really isn’t. If we had a magic wand we’d find the right person and get in the play-offs and promoted. The balance is difficult.

“We don’t want to wait too long. Right now Gavin Skelton’s in [caretaker] charge, we have to look at Saturday and Tuesday coming up, and reflect on that afterwards I would say.”

Asked how fans could be confident of improvement – and not a season of struggle – he said: “All I can say is I want the fans to be happy. I want to be transparent with you. That’s why I’m here. I’ll be transparent with supporters about any subject I can give you the belief in, and I’ll give you the answers to.

“We don’t want to get this one wrong. I don’t want to be sat here [in a press conference about another managerial departure], this is a pain in the bum, and with respect to the supporters, I want to be able to help them enjoy their football and I’ll do all I can to support the board in the next hour, 10 minutes and next few days.

“We want three points on Saturday, let’s hope we can get them.”