Carlisle United manager's tactical admission after Salford City loss

The Blues manager started the game with a 4-3-3 formation but, after United trailed 2-0 at the break, reverted to 3-5-2.

In the latter system, Carlisle improved and fought their way back to 2-2 before Salford struck a late winner.

While Simpson felt there was “loads of positivity” about United’s second half efforts, he also reflected on his own tactical decisions after the game.

“I’m disappointed with myself in getting too excitable about this 4-3-3, because we've stuck with a shape [3-5-2] all season and it's been really, really successful for us,” he said.

“Maybe I got a bit excited.

“[Saturday], really, was about not losing. I wanted to go and win the game, but we also had to make sure we didn't lose – and we gave ourselves a mountain to climb in the first half.”

Simpson had used 4-3-3 since the second half fightback against Stockport County recently, also going with the formation in the 1-0 win at Barrow.

He may now revert to the system United have used for most of the season as they prepare for their final game at Sutton United and a likely play-off semi-final.

Jack Robinson on the attack for United (Image: Ben Holmes)

One man who could come into his thinking for those games is Jack Robinson, the Middlesbrough defender who has seen game time limited since his January loan move.

Robinson has been kept out of the side by ever-present Jack Armer at left wing-back.

But the 21-year-old impressed in a substitute outing on Saturday, with his 65th-minute introduction leading to his longest appearance so far.

The Boro loanee made a positive impact down the left and Simpson said: “He’s been excellent since the day he walked in the building.

“He’s been unfortunate that Jack Armer has been very consistent this season, but I felt here it was about rolling the dice and hoping something happened, because it wasn’t happening for us.

“He’s shown us what he can do and we’ve just got to go again.”