Paul Simpson on Carlisle United's second-leg approach v Bradford City

The Blues must go on the attack in order to overturn Bradford City’s first leg lead.

But the nature of the visitors’ advantage means Carlisle must also be mindful of doing their defensive duties well.

The first goal in Saturday’s second leg could be pivotal to the outcome of the tie.

The onus is on United to be on the front foot but manager Simpson says that must be married with a responsible approach.

“I think [the approach] is the same as every game – we want to attack but have to make sure we have our defence still strong at the back,” he said.

“We’re going out to win the game, simple as that.

Simmo: Let's fly out of the blocks against Bradford

“We went to try and win the game at Bradford. I thought if we went at it we’d be ok – unfortunately we didn’t go at it well enough from the start and ended up a goal down.

“The truth is, when we went a goal down, there was a fear we could have gone two or three down and the game could have gone away from us.

Paul Simpson is weighing up Saturday's second leg approach (Image: Richard Parkes)

“Credit to the players for the way they dug in, and the way they performed after that point.

“I thought over long periods we caused them a lot of problems, without in truth testing the goalkeeper enough.

“Certainly we need to work the goalkeeper better and give them more to think about than we did last week.”

Simpson says the way Carlisle performed in general at Valley Parade has reinforced the belief they can come through the tie and reach a Wembley final.

“The whole of the second half gives us hope and belief,” he said.

“We had belief going into the game, it isn’t as though that’s changed our mentality.

“We got a little bit of a shock because of how we and they started. I think we deserve a lot of credit – I’m not sure we’ve been given a lot of credit for what we did – but the level of performance was really good and it’s given us something to go at again now, starting at 3pm on Saturday.

“I’m so looking forward to getting the game on and let’s see if we’ve got enough to get over the line.”