Carlisle United boss dismisses fatigue 'excuse' for Leyton Orient trip

A third successive long trip sees the Blues head to Leyton Orient for Saturday’s FA Cup first round tie.

It has been a demanding period of travelling after league journeys to Portsmouth and Cambridge United.

But Simpson dismissed the miles on the road as any issue as Carlisle prepare to take on Richie Wellens’ men at Brisbane Road.

“I think that’s an excuse,” he said of the potential for fatigue to be a factor amid three round trips totalling 1,833 miles.

“We’ve had enough time this week to get over last week’s journey.

“The supporters are doing it and I don’t think they’re jaded, so we have to forget about the journey.

“We travel well, this club looks after the players in terms of travel.

“I would never use the mileage we have to do as an excuse. We have to find a performance to get a win.”

Carlisle fans, after two long trips in quick succession, are preparing for another this weekend (Image: Richard Parkes)

Carlisle take on the Os three weeks after losing to Wellens’ men 1-0 at Brunton Park in the league.

United have lost their last three meetings with the east London side – their last victory coming in February 2022 in Simpson’s first game back in charge of the Blues.

Wellens’ team are familiar opponents, although Simpson said: “There’s been a few changes to their team of late. I think they’re struggling with injuries, we don’t really know what their issues are.

“I thought we did better in the second half against them last time, but I really don’t think the problem is a tactical issue that we’ve got.

“This isn’t me trying to protect myself or the staff. I think last week [at Cambridge] was about competing and not winning duels – that’s not tactical or desire.

“Last week was about not retaining the ball well enough – that’s technical, not tactical. The other side is we are getting into the final third but not producing the technical ability we’ve got.

“Maybe some people think I’m making tactical decisions that are wrong but from my assessment of it, I think we’re not doing ourselves any favours because of the way we competed last week and the use of the football wasn’t good enough.”

Simpson says he retains fond memories of his first game back at the United helm – a 1-0 win at Orient thanks to an Omari Patrick goal on February 26, 2022, which began Carlisle’s dramatic climb out of relegation trouble in League Two.

“I still remember that first game, and coming out to those fans on the far side,” he added.

“I think in football you do remember those good things. I just want that feeling at the end again – that feeling of winning, of smiling, being able to be positive, to take that feeling into the next league game.

“That’s the only thing I’m concerned with.”