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"Last year we played poorly at Carlisle and we need to ensure that we do better than that this year. The two clubs have improved considerably. Carlisle have a bigger weight behind them in terms of crowds and they are in a position to challenge for the Championship having finished eighth last season. We are contenders to improve steadily and make ourselves a bit better in League One. Off the field they are a bigger club than we are but on the pitch we can compete with them and give them a good game.
"We've stuck at the games we've played so far pretty well. Even at Southend in the Carling Cup we got pressed back in the first half and lost a goal, but we came back and really gave them a game. Against Millwall we managed not to concede a second goal and threatened to get back into the game without really doing so. Last season we conceded two goals at Millwall and the game went away from us so we look as if we've toughened up mentally as well as physically.
"The draw against Swindon was a good result for us because we came back from a goal down and although my goalkeeper was needed to preserve the point, it was a good psychological boost that we were able to do that against a good side. There are some changes I can consider but I've got to go over my scouting reports and look at what Carlisle might do as well. We are going to travel up on Friday morning and train in the afternoon so that is when we will finalise the team selection.
"I coached at Carlisle for a few weeks before I got the manager's job here and I was treated very well there. I've been fortunate to work at Wolves and Burnley and those are both what I call one club towns. The people there don't support anyone apart from their local side and I think Carlisle is the same. I admire that and enjoy it and it's a really partizan place to go. For a visiting team you have to be strong and deal with it but if the crowd are on your side it's great. I look forward to taking teams there because it's a good ground to play on.
"Carlisle keep the ball well and their front six will be good players. They have maintained their potency despite losing Karl Hawley and the fact that they have signed Danny Graham from Middlesbrough and Joe Garner from Blackburn Rovers shows that they have some ambition and some good players."