Paul Simpson: Carlisle United players and staff 'must step up to the plate' after takeover
- Published
The Piatak family have invested in Carlisle and want to make them a force to climb the leagues
Manager Paul Simpson says the onus is on all players and staff at Carlisle United to make sure they can match the standards expected following Castle Sports Group's recent takeover.
The Piatak family have bought the club and have promised investment in players and infrastructure during their tenure.
Carlisle are currently in League One's relegation places.
"Things I'm saying about changing the squad is not me being disrespectful," Simpson told BBC Radio Cumbria.
"It's about making this club better and everybody, players and staff, who is here now has to step up to the plate.
"I know the Piataks have come in and they want it to be better and want it to be pushed forward into modern times, that's exactly the same for staff and players, we have to make it as good as we can."
Saturday's 1-1 draw with Charlton was a special day for supporters, who have been enthused by the possibilities that the Piatak family's investment could bring.
The family, from Jacksonville in Florida, have already outlined their plans to overhaul the training ground, having put their proposals to supporters who approved their bid, although that project, among others, is a more long-term process.
With Carlisle having gained promotion to the third tier last season, to some extent ahead of schedule, for Simpson and the new owners there is a collective focus to ensure the Cumbrians at least survive this season.
Much of that focus will be on the pitch, and investment in personnel.
"Really, focusing on the short-term it's about the transfer window," Tom Piatak told BBC Radio Cumbria.
"Identifying the right players, going out and having those discussions and then bringing them in to strengthen the squad.
"Then it's about bringing the existing squad and getting them to play at the level we can expect them to play and the level we need to play at in League One."
Tom and wife Patty have built their logistics business back in the United States as a family, and they have also taken Carlisle to heart as a group, attending matches together and kitting themselves out in the club's merchandise.
"Whenever we are jumping into a new business venture, we want to learn it from the ground up so we want to be involved in all the decisions," Piatak added.
"We are deferring to the coaching staff, they can evaluate the players and what we need on the squad.
"But, it's important for us to be directly involved and learn every aspect of this business."
Harnessing the enthusiasm on the terraces
Carlisle showed their potential in terms of attendance during last season's League Two play-offs with a packed-out Brunton Park for their semi-final against Bradford City
More than 10,000 streamed into Brunton Park for Saturday's game against the Addicks, as a celebratory mood was saved by Sam Lavelle's second-half equaliser.
That kind of attendance is something Simpson has long appealed to the city's public for, given the push generated by the atmosphere and the financial benefit of a strong crowd.
"We need everybody with us, we need everybody to join in," Simpson added.
"The more people who come through the gates the more revenue we bring in, the more ability we will have to make this football club better."