Carlisle United's Jordan Gibson on his goal at Barrow AFC: 'I knew I had to be on it'

“I wasn’t happy with Tuesday, didn’t feel right on the pitch,” the midfielder said.

“I gave the ball away too many times. The gaffer spoke to me about it and he’s given me another opportunity to put it right.

“The first couple of games [under Paul Simpson] I thought I did well, was full of energy, winning the ball, regains and stuff like that, but Tuesday it just wasn’t me.

“I looked at that and thought to myself, ‘I’ve got to be on it today’ and thankfully I was.”

These were honest reflections made in the light of a much better afternoon. While Gibson may not have impressed against Newport County – and was shown as much in a video clip session with Simpson – he certainly did against Barrow, scoring Carlisle’s opening goal and, in so doing, helping them go 12 points clear of the relegation zone.

Gibson leads the celebrations at Barrow

It was the mark of a confident player to bounce back so speedily. Gibson has now scored eight goals for the Blues this season and, even in a hard collective campaign, has tended to pop up with an important one when United have needed it.

His opener at Holker Street was classic Gibson: a hungry win of the ball, a driving run and a snappy finish. Kristian Dennis added to it later in the game and a fifth win in six under Simpson was Carlisle’s.

“It’s massive,” Gibson said. “The lads knew before the game how big it was, to create that gap, keep them down there and kick us on.

“We’re very happy with the result and it was a bit scrappy, we didn’t play as well as we could have – I thought we could have played a bit more – but the three points is massive.

“We’re full of confidence. Tuesday was a setback against a very good team, but we had to not let it affect us, come out and really put a performance in and get the three points.”

Gibson, 24, has been one of the players entrusted with helping Carlisle pull away from trouble by Simpson. He has started all six games so far, carrying out somewhat different duties than he had under Chris Beech and Keith Millen.

Gibson takes on Barrow's Robbie Gotts

It is a more central midfield job and the former Bradford City man is adapting, not that it is entirely alien.

“When I was at Bradford I started the season in that kind of role, in a midfield three, and in pre-season I did very well, but unfortunately I got injured,” he said. “I thought I was going to kick on that season.

“It’s not unfamiliar. It’s taken some time to get used to it again, I’ve not played there for a few years, but I’m more than comfortable in there.”

The task involves Gibson making tackles and interceptions as well as driving forward, though he wants to add to his goals total before the end of the campaign.

United, meanwhile, will try to maintain their remarkable momentum under Simpson.

“I’ve got to give credit to the gaffer because since he’s came in, he’s been so calm but passionate in what he wants from the players,” Gibson said.

“He’s given everyone confidence, and winning games breeds confidence.

“The gaffer’s been great with us, and the players have stepped up to the plate when needed to get the results.

Paul Simpson has been "calm but passionate", Gibson says

“The staff behind thee scenes, Gav [Skelton], Greg [Short], Jake [Blain], media…have all been superb helping the lads. We’re all in it together and it’s going well.”

Gibson said he enjoyed the experience of his “first Cumbrian derby”, as 612 United fans cheered their team to success at Holker Street.

His fellow scorer disappeared into that number after putting Carlisle two up. “I think Denno went into the crowd – I was looking for him because I just wanted to say well done, then I saw him in there and it was like, ‘Ah, there you are,’ Gibson said.

“It was great scenes and the rapport with the fans is very good at the moment. We’ve done well and the fans backing us has been very important with that.”

Gibson has now struck important goals on successive weekends. Seven days before downing Barrow, he held his nerve at a fervid Brunton Park to score the winning penalty in the 94th minute against Northampton.

Gibson appeared the calmest man in the house in that remarkable moment.

“I remember before the Orient game, the gaffer’s first, he asked who was on penalties and I said I took the last one at Stevenage,” he said.

“Denno wanted to be on them, so I told him that if we got one and he was on the pitch he could take it.

Gibson held his nerve to score the winner against Northampton (photo: Barbara Abbott) (Image: Ben Holmes)

“He was off for that one [against Northampton] so I was the first one to get to the ball. When there are 8,500 fans there and it’s silent, you know it’s going to go into turmoil if it goes in.

“You start to think about the celebrations and the scenes there’s going to be, so I had to try and compose myself. I was obviously confident in my ability to put the ball away and hold my nerve, so it was such a good feeling when it went in.

“A few of the Northampton lads behind me were saying, ‘You’ve never done this before, this is your moment’ – so I took three deep breaths, then the ref walked to the other side of the box and I had to wait for that as well.

“I looked at him to ask if he was going to blow his whistle, but I knew where I was going to put it, I waited for the keeper and I put it in.

“My mum was up, and my nephew was there for his first time at a live match to see me, and he was so excited. It was a great feeling.”

United, after all the trauma of this season, now have survival in their grasp. Simpson has spoken of securing safety then targeting the top half.

Gibson believes aiming high is a fair target – but only once the first one has been achieved.

“We’re not safe until it’s mathematically done,” he said. “It’s not [yet] a case of, ‘Now let’s see how high we can get up’. We just need to try and get as many wins as possible.

“There are nine games to go, let’s try and win every game and see if we can climb the table. But as long as we’re safe, that’s the main thing.”