Paul Simpson says there is no better time for people to get behind Carlisle United than this weekend’s crunch clash with Salford City.
The Blues can secure a play-off place – and potentially keep their automatic promotion hopes alive – with victory against their rivals at Brunton Park.
Another good home crowd is anticipated for a game that can go a long way to determining the Cumbrians’ fate.
And manager Simpson says he hopes anyone in two minds about coming to the game will come down in favour of backing the Blues.
“If you’re ever going to come and back us, now is the chance,” said the Blues boss.
“We’ve got a great opportunity, and we’ve got to be prepared to go and do our job in that – that’s the only thing we can concern ourselves with.
“If we do it right [in our last two games] hopefully the fans will be celebrating at the end and that’s something we have to work towards.”
A win on Saturday would ensure a League Two play-off place for Simpson’s fifth-placed side, as it would mean sixth-placed Salford – currently three points adrift – would be unable to overtake them.
A draw would also be likely to be enough, with only a big goal difference swing on the final day giving the Ammies the chance to overhaul the Blues if that was the case.
Defeat, though, would put United at risk of missing out on the play-offs, depending on results elsewhere – and leave their fate resting on the final game at Sutton United on May 8.
In terms of automatic promotion, things will be academic if third-placed Stevenage defeat Grimsby Town – a result that would take Steve Evans’ side up.
Northampton Town, in second, can also book their place in League One if they beat Bradford City.
But should Carlisle win and either or both of the Cobblers and Stevenage fail to win on Saturday, it would keep United’s automatic hopes alive heading into the final 90 minutes of the season.
“It’s another huge one, and we’ve had quite a few of them over the last 15 games,” Simpson said.
“It’s a big game – it’s the biggest game because it’s the next one for us and it’s one we can all look forward to.
“We haven’t achieved anything yet but we are still in the mix and we just have to keep battling away now.”
The fourth-tier race is proving more competitive than Simpson had imagined at the start of the season, as a dramatic finale looms.
“I was wrong about the number of points [I thought would be] needed to make the play-offs,” he said. “We’ve just got to keep going.”
If United seal a play-off place it would be the fifth time in their history they have been involved in the play-offs, having lost in Football League semi-finals in 1994, 2008 and 2017, and won promotion from the Conference by that route under Simpson in 2005.
Salford head to Brunton Park having won their last two games and as the joint top scorers in the division.
Neil Wood’s side are aiming to reach the third tier for the first time in their history.
They have taken 37 points on their travels this season. United have 41 points from their home games.
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