What Blues boss Williamson said about signings ahead of deadline day
Carlisle United have been “working on” bringing in an experienced frontman as the transfer deadline looms.
That’s according to Mike Williamson, the under-pressure head coach, when he was asked about the remaining hours of the window after Saturday’s 5-1 thrashing by Swindon Town.
Carlisle have made 11 signings in the January window already but work was continuing to try and bring in more.
One area where a number of fans have felt the Blues to be short is up front with the lack of a more established No9.
When this was put to Williamson by the News & Star, he said: “It’s something we’re working on.”
At a time the head coach’s own position is the subject of intense speculation after the dismal Swindon defeat, Williamson said on Saturday of remaining transfer efforts: “There are still conversations going on, I'm hopeful, but we'll see.”
He added that outgoing movement before Monday's 11pm deadline was also “possible” but would not be drawn on any specifics.
One striker who had been strongly linked with the Blues was Barnsley’s Andy Dallas.
Reports suggested United had agreed a loan deal for the ex-Barrow man, but he opted for the Cumbrians’ relegation rivals Morecambe – and scored twice on his debut in the Shrimps’ 4-2 win over Fleetwood Town on Saturday.
Asked if Dallas had been a target, Williamson said: “There's been conversations with lots of players. The players we sign are amongst a list of targets that we're looking at.
“We've been lucky enough to get quite a few of our main targets, but there's targets we've missed out on – that's just been public.”
United’s signings during the window so far have been Will Patching, Elliot Embleton, Callum Whelan, Stephen Wearne, Sean Fusire, Cedwyn Scott, Paul Dummett, Charlie McArthur, Josh Williams, Joe Hugill, and Joe Bevan. The Blues also secured Kadeem Harris on a new deal to the end of the season.
Those leaving the senior ranks during the window include Jon Mellish, Harrison Neal, Ben Williams, Tyler Burey, Luke Armstrong (loan), Taylor Charters (loan), Dominic Sadi (end of loan), Daniel Adu-Adjei (end of loan) and Harrison Biggins (end of loan). United have also loaned out teenagers Jake Allan, Freddie O’Donoghue and Dan Hopper.
