Manager Paul Simpson believes some decisive mid-season recruitment can lift Carlisle United's existing players – just like it did in his first reign.

The Blues are reliant on some major business in the January transfer window to turn their League One fortunes around.

Manager Simpson recalled the way he transformed the squad in his first campaign as United boss as he weighed up the immediate future at Brunton Park.

He said the right calibre of signings can raise standards among some of the existing players.

“We have to get through to January, and players who are here [have to] stand up as well,” said Simpson.

“If I think back to my first time at Carlisle United, when we got the CVA [company voluntary arrangement after administration] lifted, and we had a group of players who weren’t very good, simple as that.

“We had a horrendous run of defeats, [but] suddenly we could bring people like Andy Preece, Tom Cowan, Kev Gray, Kevin Henderson and Paul Arnison into the football club.

News and Star: Paul Arnison was another player who helped raise standards during Simmo's first reignPaul Arnison was another player who helped raise standards during Simmo's first reign (Image: News & Star)

“What that did is, with people like Matty Glennon and Peter Murphy and Chris Billy, it brought them up to a different level and showed them the levels they could get to."

United's turnaround in form in 2003/04 after the new signings came close to achieving a remarkable survival in the fourth tier - and after relegation to the Conference, they bounced back and then went on to win the League Two title.

“Now, if we can add some strong personalities, players who could improve the squad, there’s a chance for some of the players we’ve got here to show the levels they’re capable of," added Simpson, whose side are third bottom in League One.

“Whether it’s going to be enough, we’ve just got to wait and see. The ability from us wasn’t good enough on Saturday, the work rate was – I don’t care what anybody says, I saw a group of players who worked hard enough, but just unfortunately weren’t good enough on the day.”

Simpson was speaking after the 3-0 defeat at Blackpool which underlined the need for significant recruitment next month.

United’s boss has said that one prospective signing is already all but secured, with other targets also being lined up for early in the window.

Simpson said there remains positivity on the horizon in spite of Carlisle’s current struggles.

“I’ve been in this for a long time now, and I’ve been in stickier situations than this, let me tell you,” he said.

“The pleasing thing is there’s a light at the end of the tunnel because of what the new owners are bringing to it, the enthusiasm…

“Once I’ve gone away and reviewed it on Monday I’ll be ready to go again. We just have to do everything we can not to have a reaction like we had [on Saturday].”