Carlisle United boss Paul Simpson says the Blues must be ready to take on an Oxford United side attempting “total football” this weekend.
Simpson takes Carlisle back to his former club for the first away game of the League One season.
And although Liam Manning’s side have lost their first two matches of 2023/24, Simpson believes they will pose his team a tricky footballing test.
“They’re a good side, a good footballing team and they’ve got a new coach who’s gone in and wants to put his own stamp and footballing philosophy on it,” said the Carlisle boss.
“He [Manning] has worked with the City Group teams and has a good reputation as a coach.
“They’re trying to play total football. They’ve had a couple of bad results so far, so they’ll be coming into this first home game wanting to make a mark.
“They got a bit of a beating at Bristol [City], which can happen against Championship teams.
“We have to go there and make sure we stamp our own game, make sure we keep improving, showing we’ve earned the right and deserve to be at this level, and it’s going to be a great game to look forward to.
“It’s about us trying to play our way. They can cause you problems if you get pulled out of shape but we’re quite disciplined in the way we play, the players know their roles and it’s a case of hoping they go out and do it as well as they can.”
Tomorrow’s game is at the Kassam Stadium, with Simpson having played at Oxford’s previous Manor Ground home from 1988-92.
He looks back fondly on his time with the U’s.
“I loved it. It was brilliant for me,” he said.
“I went in with a manager in Brian Horton who showed real faith in me at a time where the manager at [Manchester] City hadn’t got faith in me.
“In those days at Oxford we were the equivalent of a Championship team, the old Second Division, and we had a good group of players there.
“I loved living there, two of my boys were born in Oxford, so I’ve got great memories of my time there. I’m looking forward to going back.
“Funnily enough, I got a letter this morning from somebody who was a season ticket holder in my time, who remembers me from those days.
“I had a really good relationship with the fans and had a great time there.
“I think it’s a lovely city; I wouldn’t describe it as a football city but when the fans turn up they turn up in their numbers and support the team well.”
Simpson says he has watched Oxford’s recent games as he assesses their threats.
He added: “It’s always a lovely surface down there. They’ll be wanting to try and make a mark after two defeats so far.
“It’s going to be tough. I noticed [Cameron] Brannagan came off on Wednesday night injured when they’d already made five subs. I’m sorry to Mr Brannagan but I hope he’s not fit, because he’s a good footballer.
“They have others; [Josh] McEachran’s a good footballer, Marcus McGuane’s a good footballer who’s had a good upbringing with Arsenal and then went to Barcelona as a young kid. Mark Harris who they’ve took from Cardiff, Ruben Rodrigues…they’ve got some good players.
“It’s a game we know will be a good challenge, just like Fleetwood was, but a game we’re looking forward to.”
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