Last updated at 12:00, Tuesday, 04 December 2012

Greg Abbott has challenged his players to win back disillusioned fans by causing an upset against Sheffield United.

Greg Abbott

The Carlisle United manager insists his players will bounce back from the terrible display in the 3-1 FA Cup defeat to Bournemouth.

But he believes the players will have to improve quickly if they want to win back the respect of fans when they face another high-flying team at Brunton Park on Saturday.

“The fans have been a credit because the grumbling was minimal,” said Abbott.

“They just want the lads to roll their sleeves up and give everything they have got in their locker. If they get chances they need to hit the target, if they gets a chance to put the ball in the box they need to make sure it is a good cross and if it is a tackle they need to tackle.

“They need to do all the basic parts of their game right and they will get a round of applause from fans.

“The fans are a pretty genuine and pretty honest and that’s all they are after.

“The players generally give good accounts of themselves in terms of endeavour and honesty and that’s what we want. We will be back – there’s no question about that.”

Abbott admitted the loss of key players like Lee Miller and Rory Loy has had a devastating impact on the confidence of his players.

The Blues boss is now reeling from the loss of midfielder James Berrett and right-back Frank Simek.

Berrett missed Saturday’s game with a groin injury and Simek was forced to come off at half-time with knee ligament damage.

The pair are due to undergo scans to find out the extent of the injuries but both players could be facing at least two weeks on the sidelines.

First published at 11:50, Tuesday, 04 December 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk