David Holdsworth has not ruled out Carlisle United moving for free agents – but said that will be down to Chris Beech.

The Blues could still approach unattached players after last week’s closure of the transfer window.

Holdsworth said he has already had a conversation with one such player.

But the director of football said any decisions on whether to offer deals will be entirely down to the Blues’ head coach.

“There are those players, and I was talking to one [on Friday],” Holdsworth said.

“But that’s down to Chris. Chris picks the team, picks the players.

“Chris has the players that he wishes. Everything to do with the football side is not my decision.

“You don’t need two leaders in there. He gets advice and support, and he has done. I think Chris is happy.”

Holdsworth also suggested it had been Beech’s decision not to bring in an extra striker before the transfer deadline.

Some Blues fans had called on the club to use recent transfer income to bolster their attack with an established centre-forward.

Holdsworth, asked if it was Beech’s call not to go for such an individual, said: “You can ask Chris that, but that’s the case.

“Chris has got the players he wanted. He’s brought in players in positions he felt [he needed], and we have to respect what Chris wants.

“I might want a centre-forward but it’s not my position. Chris has got what he wanted, he’s enjoyed getting what he wanted, and that’s the formation he’ll play.

“For me we’ve got good width, good players there, and we’ve got young Sam Fishburn coming through, [even though] an established centre-forward [is someone] fans would recognise because that’s the traditional way.”

Holdsworth insisted United’s squad is as good as the line-up they had after emerging from the previous summer’s window.

And, invited to offer sceptical fans reason for optimism this season, he replied: “I hope, like them, that Chris can find the team’s mojo.

“I think they are a very honest bunch, they will wear the shirt with pride and Chris does.

“Chris now has got to find that mojo and get that blend he feels is right. That’s his responsibility – that’s nothing to do with me at the end of the day.

“I’ve made sure he’s got people in that he needed in, that he wanted in and we’re delighted with the work we’ve done.

“I hope they find their rhythm and progress from there. He’s got to find that blend and I’m sure he’ll work his socks off to do that.”