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"It is a tough ask for us now and the reality is creeping in. It has been a disappointing last few weeks of the season because we had worked hard to get ourselves into a positive position. Some bad results have cost us dearly and we have slipped back into the relegation zone at the crucial moment.
"There are reasons for this and it is my job to look at things and assess what has gone on over the last few months. It is important to look back and see why certain things have happened like they have. Every team in a season expects to have a dip in form.
" I knew we would get a dip in form after the good start we made at the turn of the year, and once it hits you it is how you cope with it. We haven't coped with that dip as well as I would have liked or expected and that is something we will have to address in the summer with personnel."
While the team in least peril, in Hartlepool, had Joel Porter saying to his club's official website :
"We can't look and hope that Carlisle don't score five goals and we don't concede two. We've got to look at getting a point minimum. That's what we tried on Saturday but we were a bit unlucky that Leeds are in form at the minute and playing well.
"We'll go to Bristol Rovers the same as we have approached the last two away games (Crewe and Yeovil) and we've got results out of both of them. It's fantastic that we don't have to win but we still need to get a result. If we defend as a team and play a little bit better when we've got the ball, it shouldn't be a problem."
And Poolie Tony Sweeney told the Hartlepool Mail :
"As players, you should be able to get up for every game because there's a lot of people who pay their money to watch whether it's against Hereford or Leicester. Maybe the last couple of results against the so-called lesser teams have proved a little bit that we have got a steely attitude and we can pick up points when we need them.
"It's a difficult place to go is Bristol because it's a long way from Hartlepool and it's not the best pitch. They've got nothing to play for apart from pride. I think we have to go there to win. Bristol Rovers have had a few dodgy results since their season effectively ended with them safe in mid-table and another one of them on their part will do us.
"We know we are more than capable of winning and we have to go there with that aim. If we go to draw and lose out, things are then left in the lap of the gods but if we go out to win and get a draw, that is still alright. Millwall are one of the better teams in the league - we have played them twice and lost twice and I don't think anyone saw that result coming.
"That will be in the back of our minds - we know that Bristol are more than capable of scoring goals against teams. We just have to make sure that doesn't happen against us. I think we all wanted it sewn up a long time ago and we have had chances to do it. But you know Hartlepool and we always leave it to the last game of the season - we just hoped the battle would have been higher up the table."
Meanwhile down on the South Coast Seagulls boss Russell Slade told the Brighton Argus ahead of his side's home game against Stockport :
"The Northampton result keeps them in the melting pot but it doesn't change our focus - we've got to go for the win. It can be a risky game if you start looking at the permutations and relying on other results. I'm sure I'll be kept up to date with the other scores but ultimately it is down to us. The support has been a big factor in giving us this opportunity to stay up and I hope together we can finish the job off."
The one team that Carlisle are hoping to overhaul though is Northampton with the Cobblers facing a tough final day trip to Leeds, Liam Dolman commenting to the Northampton Chronicle :
"Tuesday was the biggest game, but now going in to Saturday, that is a massive game. It is so important that we stay in this division. It is in our hands, we go there needing a point but we will go there looking for the win. We just need to go there, put in a really big performance and hopefully come out on top.
"I have bad memories from last time we were there in the league (Town lost 3-0), it was a horrendous game, we just didn't turn up that day. But we went there this season in the FA Cup, went 1-0 up, went down to ten men and we put in a really gritty performance and came away with a replay, which with ten men at Leeds is not a bad result. Hopefully the fans will come in their thousands and support us and we can give them something to shout about.
"We're professional footballers, we get paid to go out and work hard, and we shouldn't be nervous. I'll go there and put in 100 per cent to try and keep this team in this league where we belong. It is the biggest game of our careers. We need to go there and put in a big performance and hopefully we can keep this club in this division and then push on and have a better season next year."
And up at the other end of the table Leeds boss Simon Grayson is not letting his team take their foot off the gas even though they are already assured of a play-off place, Grayson telling his club's official website before his side's match at Elland Road against Carlisle's relegation rivals Northampton :
"Saturday's game is a big key for us, we used last weekend to go with a strong team and use it as a way of looking to the Play-Offs. We went to Hartlepool knowing we wanted to win the game, and used it as an example for what to expect in the Play-Offs when we go away from home.
"We can use the same at home. We know we'll get a big crowd and we can use this as how to learn to deal with big crowds and adapt to different situations. But I want to win to finish the season with a win as well to take into the Play-Offs.
"The majority of players here have played in front of big crowds. We had 33,000 on Boxing Day, and there won't be too many who weren't involved in that game. I think they'll thrive on it. Against MK Dons, we had 28,000 in and we did well, but if you don't want to play in front of crowds like that you need to be somewhere else. It's about showing they able to handle it. They should be used to it from previous years and learn from that experience.
"If there is 35,000 plus it'll be the highest in the whole of the league and that is a fantatic testament to the club and the supporters. We're going in on the back of ten straight wins and we can't have any more confidence than that. We love playing at home. We want to give the fans something to cheer about, use the experience and get a win going into the Play-Offs."