Carlisle United boss explains Peterborough selection calls

But the Carlisle United boss was pleased with how his team adapted – and said the skipper “understood” the decision.

Huntington was surprisingly left on the bench for only the second league game during his time at Brunton Park.

It saw Simpson revert to a back four for the 1-1 draw with Peterborough United, whilst Sam Lavelle took the armband.

Carlisle’s manager, who also recalled Alfie McCalmont and Joe Garner, explained his thinking behind the decisions.

“It was a tactical one, because of the way [Peterborough] play,” Simpson said.

“I think if we’d gone with a back three they would have really exploited us in wide areas and we’d have ended up getting pinned back as a back five.

Sam Lavelle captained United last night (Image: Ben Holmes)

“I didn’t want to do that. I felt as though I wanted a back four and Callum Guy sitting, so Callum could look after their number ten, full-backs [could] look after wide players, and it was two v one against Jonson Clarke-Harris [in the middle].

“I was saying to the players in front of them, and Callum backing it up, ‘Go and win the game for us, be the front players, give us that threat’.

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“Once we weathered the first bit I thought we did. Joe Garner gave us a real good focal point which we’ve not really had – losing JJ Kayode is a big thing but Joe stuck to the task really well.

“The two wide players…Seani [Maguire] made some brilliant runs in behind and just didn’t get the ball bouncing for him.

“All in all we put in a really good shift. Alfie was excellent, showed some really good quality on the ball in the first half, found some passes, some nice pockets…

“I was worried because I know what happens if you leave your captain out and you lose the game, you get criticised.

“But I have to make tough decisions sometimes and I felt it was the right decision to make.

“Hunts understood it, I spoke to him, and they’ve all got a part to play. Every player has to make sure they’re right because their opportunity will come at some point.”

Simpson, meanwhile, was delighted with how Tomas Holy performed on his recall.

Tomas Holy claims a cross (Image: Ben Holmes)

The keeper came in for the suspended Jokull Andresson and produced a solid performance.

Andresson is available again for Saturday’s trip to Bolton Wanderers but Holy now looks set to get the chance of a fresh run in the side.

“I was really pleased with Tomas,” said Simpson after the Peterborough encounter.

“I’ve been really pleased with him since I left him out.

“I felt that was the right thing to do. I felt he just needed a little bit of a prod.

“But he’s trained really well, and [against Peterborough] he was very good. The challenge for him is to stay at this level.

“He’s been louder, communicating more, which is a big part of a goalkeeper.

“I’m really pleased for him. Disappointed with Jokull that he did what he did and he’s out of the side [through his red card at Wycombe Wanderers] but it’s up to Tomas to keep hold of that shirt now.”