Carlisle enjoying calm build-up

Clarke Carlisle insists he and his Northampton team-mates are in a relaxed mood ahead of the League Two play-off final at Wembley.

Carlisle, who played in Burnley's Championship play-off final win in 2009, believes the key to success on big occasions is keeping distractions to a minimum. And the experienced centre-half insists manager Aidy Boothroyd is a master at it. "The biggest element of a Wembley final, any final, is not getting caught up in the sense of occasion," said 33-year-old Carlisle. "There are so many distractions about a final, especially in the build up, that it almost makes getting there the achievement, when that is not the case. "You still have a job to do when you get there so retaining that focus is the vital part of success in any showpiece, and the gaffer is awesome at that. "He is awesome at taking those distractions away and just keeping things as normal as possible. "And I think that gives you the greatest opportunity to perform well."