Paul Simpson believes Carlisle United have the “nucleus” of a good side for next season despite the Blues being relegated with plenty to spare.

The manager feels there are enough players around whom he can build a better side for the return to League Two.

The Cumbrians are aiming for a crucial summer of recruitment after having failed to live up to the League One standard in 2023/24.

Their latest defeat – a 1-0 home reverse to Blackpool on Saturday – offered little to encourage about their prospects next term.

But Simpson believes there are still players on the books who can help United to better times again.

“I believe that there is the potential for this group to do well next season, and especially with the additions we want to make to it,” he said.

“That’s the challenge we’ve got to do.

“I think we’ve got the nucleus of a decent side but [on Saturday] it wasn’t shown.”

While nine professionals in the squad see their deals expire at the end of the season, and six loanees will also depart, a host of players on the books will remain under contract heading into next season.

Some 18 players are contracted at least until the summer of 2025 and in some cases beyond.

Simpson, meanwhile, said he would not be dwelling on the unwanted piece of club history made by his side on Saturday.

A 28th defeat of the league season equalled a club record set by Harry Gregg’s 1986/87 team – and a loss in either of their final two games would set a new landmark for setbacks in a league campaign.

“You don’t need statistics to know it’s been a tough league season, you just have to look at the table,” said Simpson.

“Statistics…are one thing but I don’t get screwed up about them.

“I’m more concerned with trying to help the players, to get the players in the right frame of mind to go into the last two games, then it will be trying to make sure that if anybody wants to talk about statistics, hopefully they can talk about them in a positive way next season.”