By Malcolm Nugent - CUOSC

Saturday cannot come around quick enough for the Blues.

The trip to Leyton Orient gives the team a chance to repair the damage following last weekend’s crushing 3-0 home defeat against Swindon.

We will be going there with a new manager in place following Carlisle-born Paul Simpson’s return to the club.

CUOSC are hoping everyone gets behind him as we battle to save our Football League status.

It wasn’t just the defeat against Swindon that left fans despondent - it was the manner of it that was unacceptable.

Very rarely, you see a performance the manager cannot survive – this was one of them. Unfortunately for boss Keith Millen he lost all credibility with the fans.

His departure, along with director of football, David Holdsworth, came on a whirlwind Wednesday at Brunton Park with Simpson’s arrival greeted enthusiastically by fans.

The decisions were made at a Holdings board meeting on Tuesday attended by CUOSC representative Billy Atkinson. We will talk more about this and other issues at our members meeting tonight.

The Orient game is the first of a three-match sequence that could well define the season. It is followed by clashes with Rochdale and Oldham and with all three clubs struggling at our end of the table we have to take some points. Fans will want to see each match treated like a cup final.

Let’s hope Simpson, who won back to back promotions with the Blues in 2005 and 2006, gets that new manager ‘bounce’.

Despite the dire display against Swindon it was great to see supporters queuing around the block after the game to make sure they got their tickets for the Cumbrian derby at Barrow next month. It speaks wonders for our support and shows they haven’t given up on the Blues yet.

Off the field, hopes of bringing about a change of control at the top of the club seem as far away as ever.

There have been tentative enquiries from people who might like to help but the £2.4 million debt remains a stumbling block.

CUOSC believes there will be no movement forward unless a repayment schedule can be arranged with Purepay Retail.

They novated the debt from Edinburgh Woollen Mill and although they have agreed to talk to the club we are waiting to hear if any progress has been made.

Our members’ meeting tonight is in Foxy’s restaurant at Brunton Park with doors opening at 6pm for a 6.30 start.

For those members who cannot make it Zoom should be available but you must contact us in advance at info@cuosc.org.uk

To find out more about CUOSC go to www.cuosc.org.uk