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" It's going to be a cracking atmosphere, it's really positive to see that we are getting the crowds back, that we are entertaining people with the football and the results that we are getting. To get a sell-out is fantastic for the club, I'm not quite sure what the last time was that we were anywhere near 8500 fans, it's going to be a fantastic day. I think that some of the players will have to play in all the games over Christmas. There might be positions, and with certain individuals that I might have to change it round a little bit to keep it fresh and keep it going. I would be surprised if the same team came out for all four games due to injuries, suspensions and freshness, we'll see how it goes but I wouldn't expect everybody to play every minute of every game that's for sure.
" I'd have settled for where we are now after the first week of the season definitely. We keep giving ourselves a platform to keep progressing and we are doing that. We realise that we've got a lot of games coming up over a busy period now and we'll see where the table takes us. We're heading in the right direction, that's all we are striving to do but there are 20-odd games left still in the division and a lot of things can happen in them. We're going to keep working hard, keep focused, keep getting the same attitude from the players on and off the pitch and hopefully it will continue.
" After the first month of the season we were obviously disappointed but we've got it going now. If the expectancy level has increased by the players producing performances, playing well and being where we are in the division then so be it, that is what we are all striving for. I'm not doing anything different really to what I did in the first month, we knew that the group of players were capable of getting results but that it would take time for them to gel and to know each other. It's working at the moment, we're working hard on and off the pitch and are doing everything as a bunch of staff, a group of players. The supporters as well are contributing to that, it's positive at the moment and hopefully it will continue. "
Meanwhile Seasiders striker Andy Morrell commented :
" We seem to have got over those first ten games which were a bit difficult for us but I think the team has gelled quite well now and we can look forwards rather than backwards. I think the team has been working very hard for each other and we are willing to do each other's running if we have to, and we're reaping the rewards of that at the moment.
" Winning games breeds confidence, then you take that on into the next game, then if you can win that it's like a snowball. We seem to have got over that hurdle of the first ten games where we were a bit stuttery and jittery, now we're full of confidence and we'll quite happily go anywhere in the division and expect to come away with three points.
" I think we've got pace in the team so we can counter-attack teams at home as well when you have to break teams down. With Wes (Hoolahan) and Foxy (David Fox) on the ball we've a few got clever players who can break teams down. Away from home we can defend, the defenders have stood up and been counted this year so far, and we can get the goals on the break with the pace we have got.
" Christmas is a difficult period but it's part and parcel of football, you get the summer where you have eight weeks off and afternoons to yourself so you have to take the rough with the smooth. I think we've got four strikers who want to be playing every week, most clubs will have three and a young lad that will be in the squad for experience. We've got four that all want to play so I think that just drives the other players on. "
QPR-loanee Ian Evatt commented on the hectic Christmas period :
" We've got a great team spirit going and we are going into every game expecting to win which is always a good thing. The fans have been brilliant, we've got a really, really good atmosphere going here. I think that breeds success for the football club, if we can carry on doing the business on the football pitch then the fans will obviously come to the games. If we keep that going then you know never know where we are going to end up.
" If we have a good Christmas then it will set us up for the play-offs, if not automatic promotion, this is the hardest half of the season now though, we've just to carry on, keep going and see where we end up. I think we've been lucky with injuries and hopefully we can keep everybody fit. I think the club is going in the right direction, the chairman and everyone else seems to want to go the right way and do the right things with the football club."
While midfielder Keith Southern said about the festive encounter with United :
" Boxing Day looks like it could well be a sell out, it will be a cracking atmosphere against Carlisle. I think Boxing Day attracts a bigger crowd, to have 8000+ in a derby game will be a cracking atmosphere. We have been on a good run at home of late, they are in and around us, it will be a big game and will have a big influence on who gets into those top six places at the end of the season."
Blackpool welcome back tricky on-loan winger Wes Hoolahan for the Boxing Day sell-out after he missed the 3-1 win at Bournemouth due to serving a one-match suspension for picking up five yellow cards. Midfielder Keith Southern is a doubt after missing out on the victory over the Cherries with an ankle problem picked up in training on Friday. Meanwhile Rory Prendergast still has two matches to run of a three-game ban picked up for a sending off received in a home reserves match against Preston five days before Christmas.
The referee for tomorrow's match is the infamous Graham Laws from Whitley Bay, who officiated the home game with Millwall appallingly earlier this season, and he will be assisted down the lines by Darren Handley from Wigan and Ian Nolan from Bury. Meanwhile the fourth official will be Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre District Referees Association Treasurer Andy Newell.