Paul Simpson has challenged Carlisle United’s players to believe in themselves more as they find their feet in League One.

The Blues boss said the team must show more faith in their ability at this level.

Carlisle have made welcome progress in the last two weeks with a win and a draw.

Those four points, against Shrewsbury Town and Stevenage, have seen United make positive steps after a tough, winless five-game start after promotion.

Simpson summoned his squad into a huddle after their 2-2 fightback at Stevenage and called on players to stop doubting themselves.

“That’s why I wanted to say it to them – because they have to believe,” the manager said.

“There’s no point doubting yourself.

“If you can win at home and can get a point at a place like Stevenage who are desperate for a win to guarantee going top, you have to take confidence, you’ve got to believe it.”

Saturday’s draw, when Joe Garner’s late header denied Steve Evans’ hosts, was United’s first point on the road this season.

It took their total to six from seven games as they sit 19th in the fledgling table.

News and Star: Simpson has called for more belief from his playersSimpson has called for more belief from his players (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Simpson said their efforts at the Lamex Stadium did not constitute a complete performance but there was encouragement in how Carlisle competed.

“I’ll be honest, [the message in the huddle] wasn’t all positive because I said to them that they don’t believe in themselves. They have to believe that they’re a good team and if we do the things we’re capable of we are a good side,” the manager added.

“We can play football, we have the players in there, but when you come to a place like Stevenage you have to do the ugly side first.

“You have to roll your sleeves up and compete, you’ve got to track runners and stick your head in where you might get a kick, you have to do things properly, and we haven’t done that completely.

“It wasn’t a positive, but I did say it’s a really big point and if we’d done it properly over the 90 minutes we probably could have come away with all three.

“I think we’ve been close in all the games so far this season but close isn’t enough – you have to go the full hog and really dominate teams in terms of the way you compete, the way you pass the ball.”