With two clubs relegated to the Conference for the first time this season, Collins is coming under pressure from disgruntled fans after a run of seven league games without victory. United face Southend tomorrow in a crucial home league fixture but Collins says "relegation does not even come into my mind", and shrugs off suggestions that he will resign if the crisis deepens at Brunton Park. "I am going nowhere. I have never had any doubts about my ability to succeed," he says. "I have not had one minute's lost sleep over it," he said. "Last season I had a lot of sleepless nights and when I was manager of Bohemians in a relegation battle I had sleepless nights. But this season, with the squad we have, relegation does not even come into my mind. "I am just frustrated that things have not clicked as quickly as we would have liked. If players thought I was a mug they would not be signing for the club. When you are winning , everything is right, when you are losing , everything is wrong - that's football." However Collins admitted injuries and suspensions had been a big factor in United's season to date. With striker Richie Foran again on the sidelines he is also about to lose Mark Summerbell who is banned for two games after being sent off in the FA Cup against Scunthorpe before Christmas. The huge number of signings he has made this season have also been criticised by supporters. Carlisle have used a total of 35 players so far. "People have questioned the turnaround in players, but when a player is not good enough we replace them. If a player comes here and does not live up to their reputation we tell them to go. We are building a squad that will be good enough to win this league," he said. Although United will be without Foran and Summerbell for the game against Southend, the Shrimpers also have problems with keeper Daryl Flahaven out through injury and skipper Kevin Maher missing due to suspension. Ex-United man Damon Searle is likely to feature though as will defender Leon Cort, brother of the Newcastle United striker Carl. Both United and Southend have won just one of their last six league and cup games. Dessie Byrne and Lee Maddison are both injury doubts for Carlisle, meaning skipper Peter Murphy could switch back to the left side of defence. On loan Phil Gulliver is likely to continue at centre half alongside Darren Kelly, who is expecting to return after bruising a foot and missing the trip to Hartlepool. Adam Rundle, a £40,000 signing from Darlington last week, could make his first start in midfield. Picture from News & Star |
