Cynics poured scorn on Oldham’s rebranding of John Sheridan’s latest return to the club as the Shezurrection.
But now Carlisle United fans have the chance to restart their own survival campaign following their managerial change under a call for renewed Simmotion at Brunton Park.
The return of Paul Simpson has lifted the mood in all areas of the club following dramatic mid-week changes which saw his predecessor Keith Millen and director of football David Holdsworth both leave.
Both men have played for and managed their respective clubs. Simpson is Carlisle born and bred; Sheridan hails from Stretford, not s million miles from Oldham.
They both know the passion which can be generated at Brunton Park and Boundary Park, something they will both be tapping into during the crucial weeks that lie ahead.
It’s going to be quite a spectacle next Saturday when the two teams line-up at Oldham – certainly not a winner-take-all clash, but surely a pointer as to how things might be shaping-up, particularly in the Carlisle camp.
But in true football tradition Oldham v Carlisle is off the radar for the time being. All that matters is today’s contests – Leyton Orient v Carlisle and Colchester v Oldham. They are four of the clubs in the dog fight with any two from nine still in the equation for who drops into the National League.
Simpson was a sound choice, the best choice, for Carlisle to make at this stage of the season when there’s no opportunity to bring in fresh faces.
His motivational skills will be put to the test, working with a squad which fans have dubbed the worst for 20 years, but his vast managerial experience will surely have an impact, as will the fans who can provide the vital Simmotion effect.
