Carlisle United boss: No fear ahead of Wycombe Wanderers tip

A trip to Wycombe Wanderers awaits the Cumbrians as they look to bounce back from last weekend’s home defeat to Derby County.

Matt Bloomfield’s side, who include ex-Blues favourite Richard Keogh, sit 11th in League One.

United are targeting another positive away day after well-earned points at Stevenage and Lincoln City recently.

Simpson says those games are a good example of how the Blues should believe they can compete at Adams Park.

“We shouldn’t be going and fearing anybody,” said the United boss.

“We can hold our own in these games. At Lincoln, a side on really good form and at home in particular, we went and made it a really tough game for them.

“Wycombe will be another tough game but we have to roll our sleeves up, get ready, dust ourselves down and get ready for another brilliant game – and a game we honestly believe we can go and get the three points out of.”

United’s trip to Wycombe is their first since 2018’s 4-3 defeat under Keith Curle.

Cole Stockton scored his only United goal on their last trip to Wycombe - a 4-3 defeat in 2018 (Image: Barbara Abbott)

The Blues last won at the Buckinghamshire ground in 2017 when goals from Jamie Proctor and Reggie Lambe earned a 2-1 win.

The Chairboys have won two, drawn one and lost one at home so far this season, whilst United are seeking a first away win.

Simpson has underlined his faith in his players to rise to the continued challenges Carlisle face after the step up to the third tier.

“It's a big job. It’s not an easy league, we know that,” he said.

“There are some big clubs in this league and we’re trying to be like that, to compete.

Richard Keogh, the ex-Blues defender, will face his former club this weekend (Image: PA)

“For long periods we’ve shown that we can compete, over the whole of the season. And we have to keep going, working as hard as we are.

“We know it’s going to be a long, tough season, but we’ve got players in there who want to achieve, players who want to go and show they can play at this level, and hopefully we’ll be able to keep doing that.”

Among the Blues travelling contingent this weekend will be four members of the Piatak family who are seeking to buy the club.

Tom Piatak this week said his son Tom II and wife Alice, plus daughter Jenna and fiancé Nick, are all planning to attend the Wycombe fixture.

With Wycombe playing in their traditional blue quarters, meanwhile, the game is likely to see a second competitive outing for United's distinctive 'fruit salad' away kit.