Southend United boss says they owe the fans a good performance on a long away-day to Carlisle
Both sides are looking for promotion from the National League
Southend United's manager Kieron Dyer says his squad owe the travelling Shrimpers fans a good performance, in one of the longest away-days of the season.
For fans of the South Essex side, they may face an over 6 hour journey to get to Carlisle.
Both sides are looking for promotion from the National League this season, with Southend United currently sitting in 3rd in the table.
Dyer said this fixture will be a real test for his squad:
"It's probably the biggest test we've had this season away. They were favourites to win the league. They've got good individual players, top top players all over the pitch, so there's no bigger test than playing Carlisle away."
He called the 17:30 kick off "shocking" for the fans: "It's such a long day for the fans."
"I know our fans will show up in their droves an for them to come all that way, and probably be getting home at 3:00 in the morning and stuff like that. We owe it to them to perform on the day because they don't want to go up there and see us putting in a drab performance.
"It puts a lot more pressure on me and on the players that they are going to come up in their numbers, so let's give them something to cheer about."
The Shrimpers have scored 13 points so far this season in the National League, compared to 8 by Carlisle United.
Yet, the North side have scored more goals than Southend this season.