Carlisle were bottom by 12 points when Paul Simpson took over as player-manager in December. But, having lost just three times in their last 13 matches, the Cumbrians are now within five points of nearest rivals Macclesfield – and nine points from 22nd place and safety. They beat Huddersfield  1-0 on Tuesday night.

What was the first thing you did when you took over?

I tried to be positive with everyone. When I came in, the whole place was so negative, people feeling down and sorry for themselves. The first task was to make training enjoyable and have people smiling. We got five points from the first three games and when we were allowed to bring new players in, I changed the team around a bit.

Your own links with Carlisle are strong...

I am a local lad and used to come here when they got into the old First Division for a season in 1974/75. Look at the crowds and you can see what great support there is for the club.

We had lost 12 on the bounce this season and, after a couple of wins, we got over 8,500 against Darlington.

We took 1,700 fans to York City the other week. The fans have stuck with us all the way; we are nine points from safety now. Our next two games are at home and then we play away to Rochdale, who are currently 22nd.

It’s a crucial time for us. If we do escape relegation, it will be the biggest achievement in the whole of the English League -  because of what has happened to the club in the past few years, the financial situation and how far behind we were this season.

Which managers and coaches have influenced you?

I try and learn from the way Jim Smith handled players. He was magnificent at Derby. Also, Steve McClaren’s organisation (he was Simpson’s first-team coach at Derby) and Steve McMahon’s enthusiasm and ability to motivate. At the same time, you would rather be yourself than directly compared to anyone else.

If it were August now, where do you think you would finish in Division Three?

They printed a current form league recently and we were third or fourth. There has been a massive improvement, and not just because of the new players. The ones who were already here have become much more confident and are showing what they can do.

You have brought in experienced players...

It’s vital in a situation like this. A group of youngsters have never had to cope with anything like this. Someone like Andy Preece is knowledgeable, he knows what the game is about. Kevin Gray and Tom Cowan have come in and a couple of lads from Hartlepool. We are a team now that knows what to expect from the Third Division.

Do you find it hard coping having played in the Premiership?

I had about 18 months at Wolves where I was training with the youngsters and other players who had been bombed out of the first team.

Then I went to Blackpool for 12 months in the Third Division and loved it, even though I wasn’t surrounded by world-class players. It gave me great experience. I didn’t become manager at Rochdale or now Carlisle with false expectations.

You can’t order someone to hit a 50-yard crossfield pass if they’re not good enough or coach the team to string 25 passes together. I said at Rochdale I wanted to score ugly goals and that got me into trouble, because the fans thought I was advocating bad football.

That wasn’t the case. I was just making the point that not every goal is a result of great, flowing football.

You are the player-manager so who makes decisions about substitutions?

When I am on the pitch, my assistant Dennis Booth tends to make most of these decisions. But, leading up to the match, we try to discuss the eventualities. I trust him. If I am within earshot on the pitch, he will check if we are of the same mind. If not, he will make the decision and afterwards we will go into the thinking behind it.

What is your playing future?

I will be 38 this year but I still do enjoy playing. My philosophy is you’re a long time retired, so I want to play as long as I can.

I won’t be stupid about it though; there are certain games I wouldn’t be right for. I am injured at the moment but had already decided I wouldn’t pick myself against Oxford on Saturday – they are a big physical side.

I would like to carry on as a player next year, although hopefully our squad will be stronger and I will pick and choose my matches a bit more. I am thinking positively and saying we will stay in the Third Division this season but even if the worst happens, I plan to stay as player-manager next season.

I am from Carlisle and know what the football club means to the fans here.

Is it true Third Division managers do everything?

It was a little bit like that at Rochdale but I didn’t mind, because it was my first job and I wanted everything to be done properly.

I did take the kits home to make sure they were all washed, because I thought if I didn’t do it, the lads would be warming up before matches in their own T-shirts and it would look amateurish.

At Carlisle, we have a guy called Andy Horn who is a godsend. He is the kit manager, drives the team bus, sorts out the hotel and even makes me the odd cup of tea! He is fantastic and it allows me to get on with my playing and managing.

What part of your playing career did you enjoy most?

I think my best football was played at Derby in the late 1990s, when we got promoted to the Premiership under Jim Smith. But the happiest time was probably at Blackpool three seasons ago when we won promotion from Division Three. I had fallen out of love with football at Wolves and terminated my contract there.

Steve McMahon rang and asked if I would like to go on a short-term contract at Blackpool. I thought I should give the game one more try and, after three matches, I was loving every second and asked Steve if I could stay for the season.

Which player do you think could get Carlisle out of trouble?

It would have to be the obvious ones, Thierry Henry or Ruud van Nistelrooy. With their pace and finishing power, I think they would be good for 15 goals in the remainder of the season (Carlisle have 12 games left).

People can’t live with Henry in the Premiership and Champions League – so I don’t know what he could do in Division Three. It would also boost the crowds, which would be a good financial help for us!