Paul Simpson has told his Carlisle United players to imagine the scenes of celebration if they do the business at Gillingham.
The Blues boss has asked his players to get a mental picture of how it will feel if they are enjoying the moment with their fans after the long trip to Kent.
Carlisle are hoping to bolster their automatic promotion challenge this afternoon (Priestfield, 3pm).
The Blues are unbeaten in six but are aiming for victory after back-to-back goalless draws against promotion rivals.
United will be backed by 400-500 fans on one of the longest journeys of the season.
Simpson said that backing has already been crucial – and will be until the end.
“It’s really important and is going to be massive between now and the end of the season,” said the Blues boss, who is hoping both Paul Huntington and Jack Ellis will be fit to join the squad this weekend.
“They’ve done the hard yards to get to this point, and we’ve got to make sure we finish it off properly.
“I said to the players at Bradford on Tuesday, when Jordan Gibson went on and was getting booed, ‘Imagine you scoring the winning goal and what these boos will sound like’ – and he was so close to doing that.
“I dread to think what those celebrations will have been like. You’ve got to look forward to that feeling at the end of the game – have a vision in your mind of going and celebrating with our supporters by getting the job done properly.
“That’s what I want it to be at the end of this game. We’re going to have over 400 making a really long journey.
“We have to go, it’s our job – but they’re choosing to go. That is absolutely brilliant that they’re making that choice to come and support us.
“I saw recently we were third in the table of away supporters, and I’m quite sure if you do it mile per person, we are absolutely streets ahead of everybody else.
“Even if you live in London it’s really long journey to get to Gillingham. We’ve got to make sure we give them something to cheer and stay for and hopefully celebrate at the end.”
United are hoping for a first away win over Gillingham since 1994.
It would be enough to take them back up to second if Stevenage fail to beat Salford City.
The Blues will be out to extend their impressive clean sheet tally, which currently stands at 16.
They’ll also be out to get back on the goal trail after failing to find the net in their last two outings.
Simpson said United have been working on the attacking side of their game this week – but not necessarily in response to their last two blanks.
READ MORE: Simpson on 'totally different' Gillingham test
“The truth is we’re still the leading goalscorers in the league so we haven’t done a lot wrong,” he said.
“We’ve sored a bagful of goals this season but we’re not getting complacent.
“On Thursday we did a crossing and finishing session, and a phase of play which involved creating and scoring chances.
“We’re doing what we normally do. We didn’t put that in because we haven’t scored for two games.
“Players want to score, and are getting in goalscoring positions. As long as we keep getting there we give ourselves a good chance.
“It’s more just about keeping our heads, nice and calm, being able to execute that final pass, cross, shot when we get there, and hopefully this weekend that will come again.”
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