Paul Simpson says Carlisle United are only “scratching the surface” of being a top side in League Two.

The Blues boss has been impressed with his team’s efforts to get to 11 games with only one defeat.

United have a platform for further progress from tenth position ahead of this weekend’s trip to Hartlepool United.

And Simpson is balancing that with the frustration felt in games such as last Saturday’s goalless draw against Crewe Alexandra.

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The United boss feels the most recent outing highlights the fact his team are not yet the finished article, despite their encouraging efforts overall.

“It does show that we all want more and expect more,” he said of the frustration that followed the 0-0 draw at Brunton Park.

“If you want to stay in those places you have to win these ones. That’s a big thing.

“We’ve had a good start, and I said this last week – if I’d been offered this in July I’d have taken it. In fact I’d have snapped your hands off.

“I just think now, with the way we went about the first ten games, we all want more now.

“They’ve not all been brilliant, I’m not saying we’ve been absolutely outstanding, but I think we’re scratching the surface of being a decent side.”

Carlisle remain within reach of the play-off places and will hope to go eight games unbeaten in the league this weekend against Keith Curle’s Monkey Hangers.

Simpson’s main injury issue ahead of the game concerns Callum Guy, who was being assessed after an ankle injury forced him off late on against Crewe.

The manager has also spoken about the need to get more “energy” into his players after a sluggish showing last time out.

“I’ll have to see and wonder whether I should have changed it, could I have put some fresh legs into it?” he said.

“I thought that the lads who played on Tuesday [in the 2-1 win at Grimsby Town] deserved to go again. Maybe I’ve got to learn from that.”