Paul Simpson insisted his on-pitch team-talk after Carlisle United’s poor pre-season defeat at Gateshead wasn’t for show.

The Blues boss held a post-match debrief after the 2-0 defeat at the International Stadium.

Simpson said some strong words were exchanged after another deeply disappointing United performance which he accepted was far from good enough.

But he said that saying his piece on the pitch, in front of supporters, was not a gesture.

Instead, he said that the changing rooms at Gateshead were too small to accommodate the number of players and staff who were with United when it came to his post-match address.

“I wasn't trying to make a show of anybody,” he told the News & Star. 

“Because of the interns who also travelled, we had every member of staff, about 14 or 15. We had 22 players and then we had the injured players – Anton Dudik, Jack Robinson and Callum Guy all came.

“So, there was about 40-odd people that wouldn't have fitted in that changing room. And I felt it was important to get the message across to everybody because everybody needs to understand that we have to work.

“We are not good enough to turn up anywhere and think it's going to happen. We're going to have to work and improve.

“And they gave their opinions of what they thought as well, which I encourage. So, that's the reason for it.”

Gateshead scored twice - and also missed two penaltiesGateshead scored twice - and also missed two penalties (Image: Richard Parkes)

Asked if firm words were issued during the team-talk, Simpson said: “It's probably fair to say that, yeah.” Defender Terell Thomas was also animated as he spoke during the post-match scenes.

Carlisle’s second consecutive defeat to National League opposition raised more concerns about their build-up to the new League Two season.

Second-half goals from Owen Oseni earned Gateshead victory while the hosts also missed two penalties and other gilt-edged chances.

United hit the woodwork through Charlie Wyke but overall looked disjointed again and Simpson said of the display: “Not good enough.

“It looks like a group that are trying to learn about each other, trying to understand each other.

“I maybe have to take a bit of [the blame for] that because we've made a lot of changes and I've changed it game to game as well. Probably, with hindsight, maybe we should have been quite settled in these three – Rochdale, this one and Stockport on Saturday.

“But it's about trying to get everybody fit, everybody up to speed, ready to start the season at Gillingham.

“People will look at these two performances and say that they're not good enough and I have to agree, they weren't good enough.

“But it's about the whole of the pre-season programme to make sure we're ready to hit the ground running for the start of the season and then we'll see how we go from there.”

Carlisle fired blanks in another worrying pre-season displayCarlisle fired blanks in another worrying pre-season display (Image: Richard Parkes)

Asked how concerning it was that United gave away so many chances to their fifth-tier opponents, Simpson said: “I actually think the two penalties were a bit soft. I'm not sure about them. But anyway, we had a little bit of luck with the guy [Luke Hannant] missing it.

“But yeah, there is a concern. The first goal is very similar to what happened at Rochdale at the weekend. And we have to cut those sort of things out.

“We’ve got experienced players. But again, I'm going to say it, I'm making changes and there's lots of disruption going in there. So that does have to be taken into account.

“But we know that we've got to be better. And that's the message that I've given to the players, that tonight wasn't good enough for where we want to be, where we want to go. And we've just got to make sure we learn from it and improve.”

Asked how things will improve, Simpson said: “I think understanding each other will help once they get to that level, when they start to grow together.

“I think we've had a really good pre-season in terms of that sort of stuff. It hasn't showed here.

“I thought we played really well against St Mirren in what was a tough game. And then we've come into these games and we've been nowhere near that mark. So that's not good to see that we've dropped that level that much.

“We've just got to keep going. Simple as that. I think it’s simple things – passing the ball to each other and actually working to go and get on the ball and working to press.

“It was really clear from early on in the game tonight what [Gateshead] wanted to do. But we had no contact up against people. It was an afterthought to go and press them. And you can't do that because teams will just pick you off

“ These are a strong National League team. They're no mugs. They've got good footballers in there. But we just didn't cope very well against it.”