Gavin Skelton says Carlisle United must be ready for opponents to raise their game against the Blues given their fantastic form.
United head to Rochdale tonight (Crown Oil Arena, 7.45pm) aiming for a seventh win in eight under Paul Simpson.
It is remarkable form which has made the Cumbrians all but safe in League Two.
Assistant boss Skelton says maintaining that winning feeling is all-important – and other sides will know United are in good nick.
Asked what is key to keeping the run going, Skelton said: “It’s the feeling of it. How everything feels better when you win games.
“No matter what you say, results determine a lot of things. It’s the way sport is.
“And you have to work harder. People are aware of what good form you’re on, so you can’t surprise them or anything. They’ll up their game a little bit.
“We want to win as many games as we can. Whether you’re looking up or down the way, you just want to win a game of football.
“Especially with the season we’ve had, which has been difficult at times, we want to keep winning games and try and look up the way as well.”
READ MORE: The Carlisle United data supporting Paul Simpson's manager of the month case
Simpson looks likely to have the same squad to pick from as he returns to the club where he started his managerial career.
United start the evening in 18th but could be as high as 14th with victory tonight.
They are six points above Robbie Stockdale’s Rochdale, who are without a win in seven and have lost their last three.
The seven-game spell started with their 2-0 defeat at Brunton Park in Simpson’s first home game back at the United helm on March 1.
Skelton said that game, although a Carlisle victory, highlighted some of the threats Rochdale still pose.
“We won 2-0, the last minute goal put a gloss on the result – but for long periods of the game Rochdale were a good team,” he said.
“Thankfully we rode that but we know there’s not many better footballing sides in the league.
“We’re looking forward to the game, but we’re under no illusions how hard we have to work for it.
“Rochdale are a good footballing side, desperate for a win themselves, have a highly respected person in charge in Robbie Stockdale, who’s done well at other clubs and you hear exceptional things about him.
“They’ve got a way of playing, they move the ball well, they caused us problems with the amount of possession they had [in the last meeting] and probably thought they were unfortunate on the night.
READ MORE: Pundit highlights two key Carlisle United men as EFL boss hails Paul Simpson
“Fortunately we had that bit of quality in front of goal and hopefully that can stay the same this time.
“It comes back to us – we need to make sure we’re right mentally and physically, attack the game, be on that front foot, show that positivity and try and win the game, which we have in the last six of seven which has helped us get on a good run.”
Rochdale are nine points above the relegation zone on a night second-bottom Oldham Athletic are also in action, at home to Leyton Orient.
Skelton added: “I think in League Two any game’s dangerous. There are so many turnovers at times, and Rochdale are a good side.
“Me and Gez [goalkeeping coach Paul Gerrard] went to watch them against Mansfield last week, and they were unlucky not to at least take a point.
“It was a tight game. They’ve had many tight game. They’ll be hoping that turns, but we’ve got to take care of ourselves.
“We don’t want to give them a leg up by not being at our normal standard.”
READ MORE: Carlisle United No2: how 'proactive' Kristian Dennis kept Blues in the winning groove
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here