Carlisle boss wary of ‘distraction’ ahead of Charlton clash

Carlise boss Paul Simpson has urged his players not to get distracted by the club’s recent takeover ahead of tomorrow’s League One clash against Charlton Athletic.

Castle Sports Group completed the takeover of Carlisle United on Wednesday.

The Piatak family will be at their first game since finalising the deal to buy the club, which will be this Saturday against the Addicks.

Carlisle are 22nd in the League One table and have only won once in their last five outings.

“This weekend is about that celebration and we have got to make sure that we do the football side of it properly,” Simpson told the club’s website.

“There is no point me saying: ‘Forget about all of that stuff and focus on that game’ – that doesn’t happen.

“We have to accept that there might be a distraction. What we have to do is make sure that the distraction doesn’t deter from the performance.

“They’re a good side – a really good side.

“I was disappointed for Dean Holden when he lost his job at the start of the season – he’s a good friend and I thought that would have been a good fit for them.

“Michael has come in and steadied it. They have got a really good group of players – some really talented lads.

“What we have to do is start standing up to those challenges. This weekend, we have to be fully at it.

“If we’re not, we will be found out.”