Carlisle United boss's message ahead of Stevenage clash

The Blues take on play-off chasing opponents today (Brunton Park, 3pm) desperate for a better day after a sorry recent run of results.

United’s fortunes at the foot of League One are in contrast to their fellow newly-promoted side, who are trying to keep hopes alive of a second consecutive promotion.

On a day which could see a boosted crowd through the #onecarlisleonecommunity ticket discount offer, Simpson says his side are running out of time to produce something better for fans.

On today’s encounter, he said: “If [Stevenage] win their game in hand, they go back into the play-offs so they are a strong side, they are a well organised side.

• LISTEN: Simmo on Stevenage, player decisions, off-field issues and more

“They are always tough games against a Steve Evans team. And I do not expect it to be any different this weekend.

“But all we can focus on is what we're trying to do, how we're going to try and go about it, and hoping that the players that are selected do themselves justice.”

Stevenage are without two key men in suspended captain and defender Carl Piergianni, and 21-goal forward Jamie Reid, who scored on his international debut for Northern Ireland against Romania last night.

“You have to hope that we can take advantage of it. But I think we'd be wrong to think that Stevenage were just made up of Reid and Piergianni,” said Simpson.

“They've got other players who are really effective for them. Some good players who at League One have been able to go and show what they're all about.

Steve Evans' play-off chasing Stevenage are today's visitors (Image: PA)

“Now, I think that we've got players who are capable of showing more than they've showed. And, let's be honest, it's time to start doing it now, because we’re running out of games.”

Simpson has no new fitness issues ahead of the game, with striker Georgie Kelly continuing to progress back from a calf injury and with Easter Monday’s home clash with Lincoln City pencilled in as a possible return to first-team availability.

United’s manager has tried various combinations with little success in recent months, yet still believes players can offer more than they have managed lately amid a dreadful run of 12 defeats in 13 games.

“It’s not through the lack of training or the lack of thought, or lack of work on the training ground or in preparation for games,” he added.

• Carlisle United director Tom Piatak II on training ground and stadium latest

“So we won't go massively away from what we've been trying to do. It's about just producing.

“A lot of the things that I look at when I review the games back are technical issues that let us down from players who are more than capable of doing those technical issues better than they're actually doing.”

United’s poor form also means things weigh heavily on players in a psychological sense.

“It’s hard to break it. It really is,” added Simpson.

“This whole thing about momentum in football is a real big thing. And we're obviously on a real negative momentum.

“It takes a result to get it back. And that's why the next game is the important one that we've just got to focus on.

“There's no point setting targets of what we should get over eight games. Because the truth is I'd want to win all eight of them.

“But it's about that next game - can we get a positive result in the next game that gives us a lift to take into the next game? And that's all we can do.”

On this afternoon’s community day, meanwhile, the Blues manager said: “It's the club's way of giving something back to the supporters for their loyalty over the season. So I hope it can be [a positive occasion in spite of recent results].

“I can't tell people how to come and behave. That's their choice. All I can do is hope that we put on a performance that makes it a good day for them and sends them home happy.”