Paul Simpson: Why fans can take the credit for uniting the club at Carlisle United

The manager’s return has sparked a remarkable improvement in the team’s form and the mood around the club.

But Cumbrian boss Simpson was keen to give recognition to the Blues’ fans for the dramatic improvement in atmosphere.

Another good crowd of 5,884 watched a sixth win in seven against Bristol Rovers.

Simpson, asked in his post-match press conference if he had drawn heavily on his Carlisle background for inspiration during his return to the club, said: “I actually think it’s the supporters who’ve drawn on it more than I have.

READ MORE: Carlisle United 1-0 Bristol Rovers: Dennis strike earns sixth win in seven for resurgent Blues

“It’s a really interesting question. I knew what I was coming into, but I think the supporters have an affinity with me, because I’m from Carlisle and I think the supporters are the ones who’ve probably taken more [of that[.

“And I think that’s what’s galvanised everybody: they’ve brought the whole club together.

Paul Simpson on the touchline during the Bristol Rovers win

“Instead of there being a separation in the building, we’ve now got everybody together, everybody pulling in the right direction.

“Really, that’s credit to the supporters. They’ve made that choice, they could have still gone, ‘I don’t give a stuff whether he’s from Carlisle, I’m gonna still come and be negative’, but they’ve come in and been positive from day one.

“We’ve also rode our luck a little bit, had a little bit of luck along the way that’s kept them with us, and long may it continue.”

The wave of positivity behind Simpson has seen questions continue from fans desperate to see the manager remain at United beyond this season.

Simpson maintained that could not be answered at the moment and was not in a hurry to bring the subject to the top of the agenda.

“I totally get why people have to ask it but it’s just not something I’m concerned about,” he said.

“I’ve been in a situation where people have wanted me out, so I’m enjoying the fact people want me in.

Fans enjoy the latest victory

“My gamble that I had to take was to get myself off my backside and stop watching games on Sky TV and my iPad, and watching Gilette Soccer Saturday every weekend.

“My challenge was to get out there and actually, one, see for myself whether I wanted to do it and whether I could do it, and two, show people that I am still around, I do still want to be involved in it, and I knew if it didn’t work I’d probably be having to look for another job in another line of work.

“But I also knew if I did it right and we got what we wanted, I might give myself options.

“Who knows. I’ve loved every minute of it, I’m still loving every minute of this, I’ve realised, regardless of what [some fans] think, I am ok at doing it, and let’s wait and see what comes.”

Simpson said the fact fans were keen to know about the long-term situation had come up in discussions with his paymasters at United.

“I had a conversation with Nigel [Clibbens, chief executive] the other day about it, and he said ‘Look, everybody’s asking the question…’

“I said the remit is to get safe, let’s get ourselves safe.

“There’s lots of conversations that need to happen, I’m sure the conversations will happen, but we’re just gonna have to wait and see.

“I’m really not in any hurry at this moment in time. I don’t need any distractions, the players certainly don’t need any distractions.

“What we need to do is keep going along as we are, keep focusing on the next one, the next game, and I’m sure at some point we will have those conversations.

“Really, I’ve learned there’s no point worrying about things like that. I know I’m definitely here until after the Bradford game, and who knows what’ll happen after that.

“In the summer when I went for a routine health check I didn’t know I’d get told I’d have cancer, so anything can happen and you’ve got to enjoy the moment, enjoy doing what you’re doing, and I certainly am at the moment and I’m certainly going to enjoy the weekend as well.”

READ MORE: WATCH: Fans celebrate Carlisle United's win over Bristol Rovers