Carlisle United boss weighs up 'totally different' Gillingham test

Saturday’s opponents are much changed since the January transfer window, when they recruited heavily following their takeover by American businessman Brad Galinson.

Neil Harris’s side have improved their form and are particularly strong at home, winning six of their last seven at Priestfield.

Simpson says third-placed United’s own strengths will have to come to the fore in the Kent encounter.

“I think it was ten new signings they made in January and about six of them are in the team,” United’s boss said.

“It’s a totally different team to what we played earlier in the season, and I thought that was a tough game [a 1-0 win for the Blues in August].

“This will be a difficult game. The league table is a reflection on where they are as a club but probably not a reflection on what this team can achieve.

“I think they can achieve much more than their league position.

“We have to make sure we respect them. The players will know exactly what to expect from them once we’ve done our final meetings.”

The takeover by Brad Galinson, centre, has seen Gillingham recruit heavily in January and pull away from danger (Image: PA)

Gillingham brought in players such as Tom Nichols, George Lapslie and Tim Dieng to bolster a side that was in serious relegation trouble.

They are now 19th and ten points above the drop zone.

“It’ll be tough,” added Simpson. “They get it up to [Oli] Hawkins up top and he’s very effective.

“They’ve got little forward players around him who get in and around and cause problems.

“But we’ve got that as well. I keep reminding our players, when I talk about the opposition, and say they’re this, that, can do this well…also this is where the weaknesses are, where we can exploit them and cause them problems.

“That’s something we’ve got to do, go front foot, be really positive, get about them.

“They will know we’re coming to try and win the game, and we’ve got to make sure we stamp our game onto them and, whatever strengths they have, we make sure can deal with it.”

Gillingham - whose squad includes ex-Blues players Max Ehmer and Tristan Abrahams - are managed by the experienced figure of ex-Millwall and Cardiff City boss Harris.

“I really like the way he gets his teams set up and the mentality they have,” Simpson said.

Gillingham boss Neil Harris (Image: PA)

“Gillingham is not an easy place to go. The way Neil has his teams playing, we know it’s going to be a very, very competitive game where we’ll have to roll our sleeves up and work our socks off to get a result.”

United have not beaten Gillingham away from home in six visits, their last victory over the Gills at Priestfield coming in 1994 when Dean Walling scored in a 1-0 win.

The Blues have won at the Gills’ ground since then – but that was against Brighton & Hove Albion in 1999 when the Seagulls were groundsharing with the Kent club.

While tomorrow’s hosts are on a strong run at home, Simpson pointed out: “We have to remember we’ve only lost two in 12, and we’re six games unbeaten.

“We have to make sure we carry that sort of form on. If we do that we’ll give ourselves the chance to go into the next one still in a good position.”