Paul Simpson says Carlisle United will give EVERYTHING to make their League One return a successful one.

And the Blues boss says he will ignore the bookies and pundits who have tipped his newly-promoted side to struggle.

Carlisle return to the third tier today with an opening clash with Fleetwood Town at Brunton Park (kick-off 3pm).

It sees United back at this level for the first time in nine years.

And though they are among the relegation favourites, Simpson says he will disregard such predictions.

“I don’t bother with that at all. I don’t care what other people think, it’s not my problem,” said the manager.

“They get paid money for giving an opinion. It’s always easy to do that.

“I’ve done it before. I’ve been a pundit on Sky and on the radio, and it’s easy to sit there and cast opinions when there’s no stress and pressure to it.

“That’s fine, let them crack on. We just have to do our job.

“And listen, if come the end of the season we haven’t got enough points, they’re going to be right, and they’ll sit there and pat themselves on the back.

“But we’re going to do everything we possibly can to be successful this year.”

Simpson noted that Carlisle were tipped to struggle by some onlookers at the start of last season, only to defy predictions and win promotion.

He believes United are in good shape to make a real fist of life back in the third tier.

But he says it is down to his squad to deliver.

News and Star: Paul SimpsonPaul Simpson (Image: PA)

“It’s a brilliant challenge,” he said. “If we’d still been in League Two it would have been an exciting challenge but this is a step up, a real test for us.

“In our group of players, for some of them it will be new, for some they’ve played at a higher level, some have played a lot of games at this level.

“I think we’ll be equipped for it, I think we’ll be ready for it.

“But there’s no point me thinking it. I keep saying this to the players: there’s no point me thinking you’re a good group, you have to go and show us all.

“That’s what [this] afternoon gives us, that opportunity.”

A good opening-day crowd is anticipated at Carlisle’s ground and Simpson says he will not take such support for granted.

Last season saw United’s best league attendances on average for 15 years.

“We’ve got to earn that right again now,” he said. “It’s not going to happen straight away. I’d like to think there’ll still be a momentum from last season so we’ll get a good crowd to start the season.

“And it’s down to us then. We’ve got perform, and give them something to come back to. And hopefully they’ll stick with us like they have done so far.”

Despite his vast experience in the game, today will also be a first for Simpson, who has never managed at League One level before.

“Forty-one years [of my career] it’s taken to get to this,” he joked.

“I’ve played here, with Blackpool when we got promotion, but it’s the first time I’ve managed at this level.

“I’m looking forward to it. It’s a great challenge.

“I look at the league and I’ve got Derby County, Oxford United, Shrewsbury Town and Blackpool, all previous clubs of mine that I’m going back to.

“I don’t think I’ll get cheered at them all…but if we go and do ourselves justice I’ll be really chuffed.”