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"At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if you're at the top or the bottom of the table. With three wins under our belt we've got as good a record as anyone at the top of the table. Results breed confidence, and this game is a different kettle of fish now to what it was a few weeks ago.
"But it's still a tall order, and anything we can get up there is a bonus. We've got to perform to the level we've produced in the last three or four games and go there positive. Whatever we get out of it, it's still a case of what will be, will be. It will still all hang on the last day of the season . With this one, anything we get out of it will be a bonus.
"There's going to be a sell-out crowd there and hopefully this will drive us on. Carlisle are a very good side - the table never lies. They've got automatic promotion sealed and, of course, they've got the trophy there on Saturday, which may work against them. It could be a distraction. They've gone 12 games undefeated at home, and this will be the 13th, so you never know! If there's any psychological edge, we'll take it!
"But they are a fantastic club, and they've worked really hard off the pitch as well. They've really progressed and I can see them going straight through to the Championship to be honest - they have the fan base there. I think they're similar to Hull City in that way. I have some fantastic memories from there and the fans were always very good to me. It was a difficult year up there, but I enjoyed it and am looking forward to going back."
Torquay United chairman Mike Bateson also spoke to the Herald Express, talking about the excellent support he expects from the Gulls fans tomorrow :
"Our supporters will outshout the Carlisle supporters. I don't know what it is but the minute the away fans are in place the noise is tremendous. They are amazing."
"It's going to be a hard game but no harder than the last few games. There are reports that Carlisle will be in party mood and not interested but we will see. Our lads are certainly on form."
"When the whistle blows I'm a bit of a wreck. I have kept my thoughts to myself for the past few weeks - no predictions or premonitions. Who knows what will happen? If it was predictable everyone would be winning the pools every week. It's a game of football and anything can happen."
The Gulls are set to once again be without 11-goal top scorer Tony Bedeau who is struggling with a knee injury, Jo Kuffour being on standby to replace Bedeau. Midfielder Matt Hewlett (back) and Carl Priso (foot) will also be missing tomorrow, as well as Carlisle-loanee Ian Andrews who will miss the clash as per the conditions of the original loan deal, with the Blues still having the title to play for. Centre-half James Sharp is expected to return however, the ex-Hartlepool man having recently been sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Atkins is extremely likely to stick with the team that recorded Torquay's biggest win of the season on Tuesday, the Gulls hammering their relegation rivals Stockport County 4-0 at Plainmoor. The one-time Carlisle boss also says that he intends to take "no risks" with his team selection, ahead of what seems likely to be by far the biggest game of the season for the Devonians next week when they face Boston United at home in their final match of the 2005-06 campaign.