Simpson expresses 'absolute confidence' in defence ahead of Cambridge

The Blues travel to the Abbey Stadium to take on Mark Bonner's Us in their latest League One test.

After a blisteringly early start to the season, Cambridge are now winless in ten, have lost three of their last five, and are under threat of being leapfrogged on the table if they are defeated.

Despite this recent dip in form for the Us, Simpson called for his side to not underestimate the challenge posed by Bonner's men who earned a credible point against league leaders Portsmouth during the week.

He said: "I am expecting a tough game like everyone in League One is, a tough one.

"We are going to Cambridge which is a difficult place to go and I know they are not in great form at the moment in terms of results but I watched their performance against Portsmouth the other night and I thought they were excellent in the way they went about it and deserved to get something out of the game.

"We know we are going to have to be on our game.

"They have got good experienced players in there in particular the two centre-backs, they have got pace in wide areas, and they've got a real threat from set plays so we know we have got to perform as we did against Portsmouth and Burton, and if we di we will give ourselves the best chance.

Carlisle's next opponents have also failed to score more than one goal in a match since mid-August and the Carlisle boss expressed his 'absolute confidence' in his centre-halves Sam Lavelle and Jon Mellish ahead of the clash.

He said: "I have got absolute confidence in those two.

"I am surprised with the forward players Cambridge have got that they haven't scored more than one goal but what we have to make sure if that we defend as a full team.

"The defending starts from the front with Joe Garner, the midfielders have all got to be at it, the full-backs have got to do jobs, and hopefully the centre-back and goalkeeper with deal with everything that comes into the box."