Paul Simpson has urged Carlisle United’s huge Good Friday home support to set the tone – and create an atmosphere that players will thrive on.

Brunton Park’s biggest league crowd for nearly 16 years will watch the Blues aim to reignite their promotion push against Tranmere Rovers.

And manager Simpson wants the United faithful to set to ball rolling on what he hopes is a memorable occasion on all fronts.

“There are times where players have to lift the crowd, and other times where players are waiting for the fans to lift them,” he said.

“I want the fans to come in, and I’m appealing to them to start with – you come and start it for us.

“Lift us with a noise and atmosphere to start the game. Make it a really tough place for opposition players to come to, because they’re all backing us, and give our own players something they can go and thrive on.

“If we do that, we’ll give ourselves the best chance of being able to deal with it.”

Carlisle’s #10for10 ticket discount offer has seen a big response and it will see the ground’s biggest league attendance at least since the League One play-off game against Leeds United in 2008.

United last night announced that total sales were standing at 12,244 - and, with the Waterworks End terrace open to Blues fans for the first time since 2009, it could also now surpass that play-off game's 12,873 crowd.

If that happens, it will be Brunton Park's biggest gate for a league game since November 2007’s 16,668 turnout, also against Leeds.

News and Star: Paul SimpsonPaul Simpson (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Manager Simpson said he wants his team to play with “freedom” in front of the big crowd as they seek a first win and goal in five games.

“It [the big crowd] does add that bit of pressure. But it shouldn’t be something to fear,” he said.

“I wanted to play in front of big crowds. I’ve said this many times – as a footballer you don’t dream of playing in an empty stadium, you dream of playing front of big crowds, full houses.

“We’re going to get as close to that as we’ve been all season. It’s a brilliant game to look forward to.

“If you want to play at the highest level you have to thrive on a crowd and an expectation as well.

“We haven’t dealt with expectation particularly well over the last four games. We have just talked this week about calming down, and playing with enjoyment and freedom that allows players to be able to relax and show their best selves.”