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"They are flying up at the top, and we know it is going to be a very tough game there. It will be a good test for us. It will be a chance for my players to show me how they can deal with teams like Carlisle who are pushing for promotion.
"If they want to show me what they are made of, they have to go up there and show me something in their performance to encourage me to sign them for the future. I have said before we can do all the work during the week but once they cross the white line it is down to them to build on what we have been taking forward. They have to be capable of taking forward the guideline they have been given.
"If they don't have faith in what we are doing they might as well not work that way, and face they have to consequences of that. We are all under pressure to deliver, and this is my future and livelihood as well."
Thordarson also commented on the Bank Holiday weekend action before County fought out a 1-1 draw at home to Macclesfield on Saturday, the Silkmen grabbing a point courtesy of an 88th minute Paul Harsley spot-kick. The Icelandic manager trying to banish any talk of the Meadow Lane outfit becoming involved in a relegation dogfight :
"I am not worried about it because I honestly believe we can sort this out and we can do that over the weekend. It is not a great deal of worry but we have to pay attention to it. We need a few more points to get away from the bottom. That is the aim and we must respond to that tomorrow.
"If people are not focused or committed enough that is a concern for me but we have seen too often that we have had so much possession, played decent football and defended quite well but not killed games off. We can go through ten or 12 games that we could have won and had chances to win but actually lost or drawn.
"It is up to us to deal with things and five points (off relegation) is something we have to pay attention to. One win will probably be enough and the best thing is to make sure we do that tomorrow and kill the ghost that is behind us and get on with things."
County have a couple of minor injury worries for the game with Kevin Pilkington, Rob Ullathorne and Jake Sheridan all missing Saturday's game with slight injuries or illness, but they are expected to be fit for the game. Pilkington in particular, like United's Glenn Murray was ill on Friday night and withdrew from the Magpies team during the warm-up for the match against Macclesfield.
A groin injury is still likely to sideline midfielder Noe Sissoko however, although he is making progress. Powerful ex-Tranmere striker, and fashion aficionado after launching his own clothing range, Eugene Dadi, will also miss the match with a leg injury. Retaining his usual place in the County midfield though, will be Welsh international David Pipe, who signed a new two-year contract with the Magpies on Friday.
Glenn Murray is expected to come back onto the bench for the Blues after his virus, although Danny Livesey is still expected to be out as he continues to nurse an ankle injury. Zigor Aranalde suffered a rib injury in the 1-1 draw at Bristol Rovers on Saturday and it remains to be seen whether or not he will be fit to play on Monday against the Magpies.