Carlisle United's Paul Simpson eyes repeat FA Cup win over Walsall

Simpson’s Carlisle United are eyeing a second round victory at the Poundland Bescot Stadium tomorrow which would set up the chance of a potentially lucrative third round tie.

And for manager Simpson the game brings back memories of a successful cup trip to the west Midlands many years ago – during his playing days.

“I remember going there with Man City in an FA Cup game and scoring a couple of goals in the snow,” he said of a third round tie in 1986.

“I’ve got good memories of going to Walsall in FA Cup games, and hopefully we can create some memories for ourselves this weekend.”

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Carlisle can earn £67,000 in prize money if they see off Michael Flynn’s hosts.

Simpson is likely to be without injured defenders Morgan Feeney and Fin Back (both hamstring) as they set about that aim.

Corey Whelan and Jack Ellis will be favourites to come into the side, although Simpson told the News & Star he is considering a tactical change for the second round tie.

United will take on a Walsall side unbeaten in six in all competitions but Simpson says his side’s recent exploits – such as last weekend’s superb 4-1 win at Salford City – underlines why the Blues can be confident heading into the game.

The Blues and Walsall cancelled each other out in a 0-0 draw earlier this month (Image: Ben Holmes)

“We’ll respect them, we know what their threats are, but we also know we can be a threat if we play the way that we do or are capable of,” Carlisle’s manager said.

“I’ve just got a final decision to make on what our shape is, how we go about it, whether we change it or keep the same; we had slightly different shape against Walsall when we played them at home [in the league] compared with the Salford game.

“It’s a decision that I’ll confirm between now and 3pm on Saturday and hopefully the players are able to go and execute whatever plan we have.”

United’s trip to Walsall comes two weeks after the sides played out a goalless draw at Brunton Park – the only game the Saddlers have failed to win in the last month.

Simpson, whose own team are unbeaten in five, said that encounter emphasised the nature of the challenge this weekend.

“The one thing we do know is they’re a good side, a big, strong, well-organised side and a very physical side,” he said.

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“They’re on a real good run of form at the moment. As I always say, it’s about us, it’s about how we go about it.

“We saw things in that game that I felt we could have done better, so that’s something we’ll try and improve on going into this game. Just like they probably saw things they thought they could do better.

“I just hope we can carry on in the way we finished that game [at Salford] last weekend, because if we do, I’m quite sure we’ll give Walsall some problems.

“Both teams are good teams. Both teams are on a good run of form. It’s going to be a tough game, two good sides in League Two competing against each other to try and get an attractive third-round tie.

“It’s a game we’re looking forward to, I’d imagine they will be as well, and we’ve got to do everything we possibly can to get on top and come out as the winners.”

For Simpson it will also be a return to a club for whom he played back in 1998/99.

United’s boss was on loan with Walsall from Wolverhampton Wanderers at the time and made 11 appearances, scoring once.

“I really enjoyed it. It was a really good club, with the old owner Jeff Bonser,” Simpson added.

“I needed to get out of Wolves because I needed to play football. The loan got cut short when Mark McGhee lost his job and Colin Lee called me back, but I enjoyed it.

“At the end of that season they got themselves promoted, so it’s a good football club, they’ve got a decent fanbase and I always like the ground – it’s a real tight atmosphere, a good place to go, and I had really good memories there.”