Thirlwell is relishing his role as captain at Brunton Park

Carlisle United midfielder Paul Thirlwell is convinced he and his team-mates will help the club avoid relegation from League One this season.

Thirlwell, 30, believes there is enough quality and character in the squad and has said he and his team-mates have refused to consider the possibility.

"You just don't talk about it," he told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"We've got important games with teams in trouble and if we get the results we're capable of we'll pull well away."

The Cumbrians are just four points off the drop zone after Saturday's draw with Bristol Rovers made it three games without a win.

But the former Sunderland, Derby County and Sheffield United skipper is confident they can turn things around, starting with the trip to Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday.

"We're not playing like a team in the position we're in, we've proved we're more than a match for anyone on our day," he said.

"The league position we're in makes the games bigger than they'd be ordinarily.

"They're massive games but if we can tighten up in certain places and put chances away we're creating all over the pitch we'll be alright.

"We know we're playing some decent stuff and it's just about putting the package together."

The former England under-21 international joined Carlisle from Derby in January 2007.

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