Carlisle United boss Steven Pressley has told his players: Don’t let all our hard work go to waste.

The Blues host Oldham tomorrow seeking a first home win in six.

They are also seeking better consistency after back-to-back defeats in the last seven days.

Manager Pressley has again focused on United’s flaws at set-pieces this week and said his video analysis session after last Saturday’s loss at Bradford was devoted purely to the hosts’ second goal.

It is an area which Pressley said cannot cost Carlisle against the Latics.

“I had an analysis meeting on Monday and it was one clip. And it was the [Bradford] free-kick,” he said.

“I said to the group, we work five days so hard, five days the staff work so hard in preparation, and this one moment can put all that work to bed.

“Sometimes I think with younger players of today that are coming through the systems, they do not understand how important these moments are in football. That the 90 minutes of work on the Saturday, the five days’ preparation, everything that goes into the game, these moments are so crucial.

“I showed them it, have talked about a number of things on it, and I think if we can improve on these moments we can be a good team. They are big moments we have to improve on.”

United’s back four is not short of experience and Pressley said those players also have to deliver.

He said: “Sometimes it’s not them heading it away. Sometimes it’s them putting the pressure on our young players’ concentration.

“We need that. These moments are so crucial. We’re doing a lot of good things but you can’t give up moments like that.”

Pressley could recall many of the eight players he rested against Wolves’ under-21s in the Leasing.com Trophy on Tuesday.

Adam Collin, Byron Webster, Nathaniel Knight-Percival, Mike Jones, Mo Sagaf, Nathan Thomas, Harry McKirdy and Olufela Olomola could all return, while Jack Bridge serves a one-match ban.

The game pits 18th-placed United against 20th-placed Oldham who are under new boss Dino Maamria.

Pressley knows his side must improve at Brunton Park having not won at their home ground since the opening day.

He said: “It’s important we get back to winning ways at home and show the determination that’s required.

“Knowing the type of manager [Maamria] is, he demands hard work, he’s a manager that likes to play on the front foot and put you under pressure. It will be, I would imagine, the type of game when we’re asked to do the basics of football.”

United’s home crowds have dwindled in recent weeks with their most recent home league game, a midweek clash with Forest Green, drawing Brunton Park’s smallest league crowd for four-and-a-half years.

Their previous Saturday home fixture, meanwhile, attracted 4,167, a drop of 666 from the opening day.

Pressley added: “If you look throughout the league in recent weeks the crowds have dropped off in a number of games.

“But I’ve said time and time again, we have a responsibility as a team to play the football and win games to encourage our supporters back.”