Paul Simpson hopes Carlisle United can grab the “great incentive” of putting pressure on the top three tonight.
Victory over Hartlepool United (Brunton Park, 7.45pm) would put the Blues just a point outside the automatic promotion places.
Carlisle return to action against Keith Curle’s strugglers – and home boss Simpson says the opportunity facing his side is clear.
“We’ve got great incentive, to stay up in those top places,” he said
“You can look at fixtures – when you see Bradford losing the other week, and Northampton losing, you think they’re good results for us – but I’m a big believer that you still have to do your own job properly.
“If you do your job properly everything else takes care of itself.
READ MORE: Simmo on the welcome Keith Curle can expect on his Brunton return
“We have a great opportunity, at home against Hartlepool. If we go and do our jobs right, we can still be sat in the good position.
“That’s the only thing we can concern ourselves with.”
Tonight’s game will see Joe Garner involved for the first time since his return to Brunton Park.
Simpson has warned that third-bottom Pools cannot be taken lightly despite the gap between Curle’s side and fourth-placed United.
He added: “We saw last year when I first came back into the club how quickly things can change, once you get a result and confidence from it.
“But I don’t actually think you can tell people to forget the league table. Because it’s there.
“I always remember coaches used to say, when we were leading at half-time, ‘Forget about the scoreline’. But you can’t, the scoreline’s there.
“We know we’ve done really well for 25 games. What we have to do is go again.
“We have to prepare properly, then start the game properly, and try and put our game onto Hartlepool that gives them problems, and we’ve got to be able to deal with whatever problems they can cause us.”
Tonight is one of three games in League Two, with some of Carlisle’s play-off rivals in action – Stockport County hosting Bradford City and Salford City going to Colchester United.
The first three of those are among the clubs hoping to make up ground on third-placed Northampton Town, who do not have a game this evening.
While bookmakers make United odds-on for victory tonight, Simpson denied there was a heavy weight of expectation on his players.
“They’re feeling good,” he said. “I don’t see any indications that there’s a pressure on them. I think there’s just a real confidence and belief.
“That’s what you have to take into games – you have to have belief in your own ability and what you can do as a collective.
“I’m hoping that’s what comes out in the game against Hartlepool.”
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