Carlisle United boss looks ahead to Barnsley clash

The Blues head to another promotion-chasing side in Barnsley in their rearranged clash (Oakwell, 7.45pm).

And despite United’s struggles leaving them six points adrift of safety with 19 games to play, manager Simpson says his side must still believe they can get the results they need – starting this evening.

“We've got to produce a performance. We've got to try and get some luck, and do whatever it takes to get a result,” said the Blues boss.

“We knew that these two games weren't going to be easy. Saturday, Oxford at home, and Tuesday, Barnsley away.

“But we'll go into it and give it our best shot. There's no defeatist attitude here. It's a case of let's go and earn the right to get a result.”

Carlisle are hoping to bounce back from Saturday's defeat to Oxford (Image: Barbara Abbott)

A positive night for Carlisle could see them halve the survival gap, with no other League One games tonight.

But defeat at the hands of Neill Collins’ sixth-placed Tykes would keep United adrift having played at least two more games than all the sides around them.

Second-bottom Carlisle’s first league visit to Oakwell since 1986 sees Simpson calling for his side to “work smarter” in a bid to turn their form around.

Asked what in particular he meant by this, the United boss said: “I think you have to be smart when you get into the final third, you've got to be better in possession of the ball.

“And that's having a really clear mind about your role and executing those things.

“So that's what I mean by being smart, because I don't think you can fault the work ethic of the players on Saturday. I think they really tried to have a go.

“You’ve got to have that real fire in your belly to win the ball back – but then you've also got to have calmness.

“When we got into the final third we were overhitting passes. We get free kicks around the box, and we blaze it over the bar. We get opportunities to finish and we're not working the goalkeeper.

“So you've got to be smart when you get in there. You've got to be able to switch from being really energetic and aggressive in the way you press, and then be able to flick a switch and be calm to be able to execute the skill of the football.”

The game in south Yorkshire, meanwhile, will be a first away game for new keeper Harry Lewis, whose debut came in the 3-1 home defeat to Oxford.

Harry Lewis (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Simpson is delighted to have the ex-Bradford City man on board and said: “I'm really pleased to get him. That's the first thing.

“He's here for the long run, he’s here to try and help the football club.

“He seems a really good personality and from the references that we've had, that's what everybody's telling us.

“I don't think he could have done a hell of a lot with the goals on Saturday, if I'm honest.”

Tonight's opponents are unbeaten in their last eight home games. The Tykes, whose squad is likely to include ex-Carlisle striker Sam Cosgrove, won 2-1 at home to Bristol Rovers on Saturday.