BURTON Albion manager Martin Paterson says his side is looking to bounce back after Saturday's defeat at home to Northampton Town.
The Brewers started the stronger side against the Cobblers and dominated the opening 20 minutes, only to find themselves behind to a 25-yard shot from Marc Leonard that took a harsh double-ricochet, and a Mitch Pinnock 20-yard drive. Despite the loss, boss Paterson is taking the positives into tomorrow's clash against the Blues.
"That 20 minute period at the start of the game was probably the best we've started since I've been in charge and the best period we've had in terms of pressure. We should have scored in that period and that's on me.
"We're not looking for excuses but we certainly take the positives and this group certainly need positivity around them and we need to convert those chances to go on and win games," he said.
The Brewers boss also praised the impact that his subtitutions have made to matches since he's been at the helm and the togetherness of his squad as a whole.
"I've been very lucky that the substitutes have done well for me, whether it's to try and see games out or to try and impact a game.
"I've got a good group and it's going to take a good group to get to our objectives and ultimately their job is to come on, impact the game and be finishers. There's the starters and there's the finishers.
"Yes, there have been subs who have impacted games over the course of my time here, but ultimately it's a collective group and the team will change in certain moments and the people on the bench have a responsibility to come on and affect football games.
"We've had a good impact from the bench from a tactical stand point. The people who start have clarity on our identity and there's people who come on to finish a game and know what's expected. I go back to the group being quite a strong one and we've got good competition for places now."
The Brewers were defeated in the reverse fixture against Carlisle earlier in the season and despite their position in the table, Paterson says his team will not be treating tomorrow's game any differently.
"I've watched Carlisle's game against Bristol Rovers twice in terms of analysing and they're dangerous. They're dangerous for many different reasons but it's not easy to play any team in League One.
"We respect them and we have to do our job and understand we're coming off a loss at home so we need to be like a wounded animal and make sure we put in a performance and we need a very good performance to beat this Carlisle team because their performance at the weekend should have got something out of Bristol Rovers.
"It's a good team and they are dangerous and we're certainly not switching off as they're performance on Saturday didn't match where they are in the league. That's a compliment to them and a warning to my team
The Brewers suffered no new injury concerns after Saturday's game, and defenders Jasper Moon and Sam Hughes are closer to returning, but won't be available for tomorrow's clash.