Carlisle United boss on Exeter City and ex-Premier League man

Ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City man Tom Carroll will line up for the Grecians at Brunton Park.

That highlights the calibre of opposition United will face as they seek a first win of the League One season.

Simpson said of Gary Caldwell’s side: “There are some good footballers [in their squad] and they’re a real footballing side who want to play out from the back, like we saw against Wigan,” said Simpson.

“They have good footballers in midfield, and it’s not long ago that Tom Carroll was playing in the Premier League; he’s a really good footballer.

“They’ve got pace in wide areas. It’s going to be a challenge, but every game is going to be.

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“We had challenges last year, there will be challenges this year and hopefully we’re able to deal with it.”

Exeter have started the league season with a win, a draw and defeat, along with a victory in the Carabao Cup.

Caldwell’s side finished 14th in the third tier last season.

Exeter boss Gary Caldwell (Image: PA)

The Devon club are in their second season back in League One after 2022’s promotion under Matt Taylor.

Simpson says Exeter are a useful example for Carlisle to follow in more than one respect.

“I think if you look at the teams we’ve had so far in the league, with Fleetwood, Oxford and Exeter, they have settled into League One, they’ve found their feet,” he said.

“We’ve got to aspire to be like these teams we’ve faced so far – we’ve got to try and get ourselves up to that level and hopefully that will be the case.

“I think it’s going to be a good game, it’s a great game for us to look forward to. Being at home against them, they’re a footballing side who I think we can cause problems, but only if we do our jobs properly and that’s what we have to focus on.”

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Exeter have also made a reputation of developing and selling home-grown talent in recent times – something else Carlisle must do well, Simpson says.

“They’re selling them for good fees as well and that’s what you have to do, it’s the way to survive,” he added.

“We’re fortunate we get a good fanbase coming to watch our games – we’re getting money into the club that way.

“We’ve got good business support coming at the moment. A bigger revenue even [than that] is if you’re producing your own players and selling them on.

“That’s something as a club that we have to do better – better than we have done certainly in my time at the club. Hopefully we can improve on that side of it.”