With Carlisle United facing the long journey to Yeovil Town for their first away game of the 2026/27 season, Harvey Bunker has called for a strong response following the opening day defeat to Worthing.
Bunker registered his first assist for the Blues in the 3-2 defeat, setting up Georgie Kelly for the opening goal, but despite controlling the game for large periods, they were on the wrong side of the result.
United dominated possession and territory for large periods of the game, but Bunker expects a different test from the Glovers this Saturday.
He said: "We're not going to have all the ball. We're not going to be on top all the game.
"But definitely it's trying to just put maybe a complete performance together and arguably get three points.
"We performed well on Saturday, but it's just taking that into this Saturday, having confidence from our performance and making sure we get three points."
A defeat early in the campaign may not be an ideal start, but it can only create extra motivation, as Bunker explains the squad are keen to pick up three points to get their promotion push back on track.
"Everyone's dying to go out there and get three points tomorrow. Like I say, we've had a full week of training and everybody's been at it.
"We weren't down about the result, but we obviously weren't pleased with it.
"Everyone wants to go into Saturday, give 110% and get three points."
The 23-year-old joined United in the summer and has yet to taste victory in a competitive game for the Blues.
Yeovil will prove a stern test having drawn 1-1 with Scunthorpe United last weekend, and a win would be extra special for Bunker if United are to do so.
"It'd be massive. I was gutted at the weekend we didn't win.
"It would be really nice on Saturday to get three points and start the season as strong as we can, and, to be a part of the team and getting three points is massive for me."
