Simpson: 'Incredible' that people brand Carlisle United a direct team

The Blues boss says the way his team played for much of the play-off first leg at Bradford City was evidence of the good football they can play.

Simpson, though, insisted he was “not bothered” what others think of United’s approach.

And he will continue to take what he regards is the best route to winning games.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s crucial League Two semi-final second leg at Brunton Park, he said: “The whole focus this week – from the [first leg] game finishing, when we had the little huddle, the things that got said in the changing room, in training through the week – is about winning this game, playing our way.

“I find it incredible a lot of people keep throwing this ‘direct style of play’ at us.

“Is it direct? I thought we showed some real good football in the attacking half and final third…

Simmo on Blues' approach to Bradford second leg

“But I’m not really bothered what anybody else thinks. It’s our way of winning games."

Simpson, speaking to BBC Radio Cumbria in the build-up to Saturday's Brunton Park showdown, added: "We’ve won enough games in the 46 to get ourselves in the play-offs, now in game 48 we have to play our way and get ourselves a result that gives us a chance of game 49.”

Simpson felt Carlisle played some quality football on the floor at Bradford (Image: Richard Parkes)

Regarding the ‘directness’ of Carlisle’s play, statistics from WhoScored.com show Carlisle played the sixth highest number of long balls per game in League Two during 2022/23.

Their ratio of short passes was the seventh lowest in the division.

Bradford, by contrast, had the fourth highest number of short passes and were 15th in terms of long balls.

Yet despite the apparent contrast in approach, the two sides finished level on points in League Two with the exact same number of wins, draws and defeats – with Carlisle ahead of the Bantams on goal difference.

Asked, meanwhile, if having to come from 1-0 down could be any sort of favourable scenario for the Blues given it makes their task crystal clear, Simpson said: “I think it’s really clear what we have to do.

“I would rather we were 1-0 up, that’s the truth of it. I’m not going to flower it up that we’re in a great position because we’re a goal down.

“We’re not, we’ve got to try and get two goals. It doesn’t change anything about what we do.

“I can’t do anything about what Bradford City are going to do, whether they’ll come and try and contain and hold onto a 1-0 lead, or try and open us up to get a second…we can only focus on us.”