Carlisle United fans' backing 'huge' says Paul Simpson ahead of new season opener v Crawley Town

The Blues host Crawley Town (Brunton Park, 3pm) in front of what is expected to be a bumper opening-day crowd.

And manager Simpson, after performing miracles to keep United up last season, wants fans to get fully behind things again in 2022/23.

“If we can get people encouraging us it’s a much better environment for players than the noise I’m told was here for the Swindon game before I arrived,” said Simpson.

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“You need to be an incredibly strong character to be able to withstand that and perform at you best. The more we can have positivity, the better for everybody.”

Simpson has galvanised the fanbase since returning, and today’s curtain-raiser is likely to attract a 7,000+ crowd.

Jamie Devitt and Owen Moxon are among the players who could feature today (photo: Ben Holmes)

The 56-year-old boss will have Jamie Devitt in his squad after the midfielder signed a one-year deal yesterday.

A number of other signings are set for competitive debuts, with the Blues having brought in Tomas Holy, Owen Moxon, Ben Barclay, Sonny Hilton, Ryan Edmondson and Fin Back this summer.

Simpson could have some injury absences – he has not named the players set to miss out – but says he is delighted with the shape his team are in for the Crawley clash.

On the benefits of positive backing, he added: “I think it’s huge.

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“It’s a really strange scenario when you’re working in football. We are on the stage where people just hurl abuse at you.

“When you’ve got positive noise coming at you, it doesn’t half help.

“I remember when doing my sports science degree, we did a study with a small sample group of students, where we had one lad stood in the corridor doing old fashioned squats against the wall, with nobody around him and somebody watching through the door to time them, and another one doing the same thing in a room with people encouraging him.

“It’s amazing how different it is doing a simple skill with encouragement.

“It makes my job so much easier in that technical area if I’m not getting abuse from the Paddock – and better for players.

A 7,000 crowd is expected today

“Were fully aware we have to give them something to give us positivity. They can all rock up at 3pm with a great mindset but if we’re rubbish, it’s really hard to maintain that positivity.

“It’s a twofold thing. Supporters can’t just be positive for 90 minutes – we’ve got to give them something back to maintain that.

“If we can, brilliant. I just hope we get given the chance.”

United attracted 6,382 for last season’s opening game but today’s attendance look set to surpass that.

Simpson added: “That would be absolutely brilliant. The more the merrier.

“Let’s pack them in, get as many as we possibly can, let’s hope the sun’s shining for us as well, which makes it a pleasant day, and we can put on a performance that makes them come back again.”