Paul Simpson has highlighted the “groundwork” done by Greg Abbott in Carlisle United’s January deals.
The Blues have signed four players this month to bolster their promotion-chasing squad.
The latest was striker Joe Garner, who was coached and managed by head of recruitment Abbott in his previous three spells with the club.
United have managed to get their main business done with more than a week remaining of the January window.
Simpson said Abbott’s relationship with Garner was among the plus points in United’s ability to bring the experienced striker back to Brunton Park.
And the Blues boss said the man who managed United from 2008-13 was doing plenty of important work on the transfer front in general.
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“I’m sure it was a factor, the fact they have a relationship from the past,” said Simpson of the Garner deal.
“The truth is Greg’s done most of the groundwork [in deals]. I get involved at a point where we know it’s a possibility.
“It sounds really arrogant but I don’t waste my time if I don’t think we’ve got a chance of getting a player in.
“I only want to concern myself with players who I think can help us.
“Between us all we managed to get it [the Garner deal] finalised and over the line [on Thursday morning].
“It takes a lot of work. People just think you make a phonecall, everything gets agreed and they walk through the door and it’s hunky dory.
“It’s not quite as straightforward as that in most negotiations and deals, whether that’s permanent or loans.
“This [the Garner signing] has taken a bit of time, we’re done now, we’ve got him in, and let’s just get cracking on with it.”
Garner was denied the chance to make his fourth Blues debut on Saturday because of the frozen-pitch postponement at Bradford City.
The former Fleetwood Town man will now target a Brunton Park comeback outing against Hartlepool United on Tuesday night.
Garner followed the loan signings of Jack Robinson, Alfie McCalmont and John-Kymani Gordon this month.
It appears that, as in the summer, United will not be heavily involved in the kind of deadline-day frenzy seen elsewhere.
It follows the revamping of Carlisle’s recruitment set-up, with Simpson bringing Abbott back to the club in the summer.
Upon returning to Brunton Park himself last February, Simpson had claimed he was surprised at the lack of a recruitment structure.
On completing January’s business early, he added: “I’m delighted, really pleased. I think that’s the importance of having a good team of people around you.
“That’s what we’ve got here – Greg who leads it, three or four part time fellas who go out and do games for us up and down the country, and the staff in the building with Gav [Skelton, assistant manager] and Jakey [Blain, analyst], and Gez [Paul Gerrard, goalkeeping coach] and myself – we go out and watch games live when we can.
“I think it’s important to have good people around you. It doesn’t make life easy but it certainly makes it easier and gives you a chance to have a proper plan in place.”
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