Paul Simpson has told his Carlisle United players to “leave nothing out there” in today’s massive clash with Barrow.
The Blues head to south Cumbria needing a win to stay in touch with the automatic promotion-chasers – or strengthen their play-off chances.
A sell-out away following will back United at the So Legal Stadium against Pete Wild’s Bluebirds (kick-off 3pm).
And Simpson says only maximum commitment will do in the all-Cumbrian clash.
“This is the first of three games where you have to run as hard as you can,” Carlisle’s manager said.
“I said before Tuesday’s game, ‘Don’t leave anything out on the pitch, thinking about Saturday’.
“And I say to them [now] – run yourself into the ground. We’ve got stretchers if we need to carry you off.
“We have to go for it at Barrow, without leaving ourselves wide open at the back; we still have to think about the defensive side of it when we’re attacking.
“Hopefully we’ve got enough to be able to run, and work, and challenge and compete, and all those ugly things to allow us to play the nice football we’re also capable of.”
Carlisle start the day four points outside the top three, and three points above eighth place.
It means a win could see them put pressure on those leading the way in the automatic race – but defeat would risk the top three moving out of reach.
Simpson has Ben Barclay and Taylor Charters back available for a game against a ninth-placed Barrow side who have faint play-off hopes with three games to go.
The hosts are without injured defender Rory Feely, brother of ex-Carlisle loan man Kevin Feely.
Carlisle’s manager says it is vital his side don’t give the hosts anything to hold onto – while he said the derby element should only come into things to a degree.
“The local rivalry plays a part but I do think if you’re playing well, the chances are you’re going to play well in a local derby,” he said. “If you’re not playing well, and have a bit of a knock against you, you’re going to carry on playing badly.
“We’ve just got to think about us. We’ve got to start this game right, we have to go about it properly, not give them any lifts or anything to hang on to.
“That’s no different to what I say in every game. I will be saying to the players that, whoever is selected, just find a way to win the game.
“Everybody has different strengths – some players are really good runners, some are competitors, some have the ability to get on the ball and find a pass, some are finishers or one-v-one attackers…whatever your strength is, bring it to the party.
“I want us to build on the momentum from the second half on Tuesday and we take it into this game. If we do we’ve certainly got enough to cause Barrow some problems, we just have to make sure we defend really well too.”
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