Paul Simpson must have needed a job. Nobody above Carlisle United wanted him. His EFL record since his first spell at the club is that he has achieved no promotions.

He has a 3 year contract. It is clear that he is gradually realising how uncompetitive his budget is. Given the club's financial plight I can envisage that a couple of the club's best young players will have played a sufficient number of matches by the end of the current calendar year such that there will be tempting financial offers for them.

Simpson had got Rochdale into 10th position at the end of a calendar year and was told that there was no more money available. He quit and joined Carlisle United as a veteran player, soon to become manager.

I can see a couple of young players being sold in early January in order that 1921 does not go insolvent. Simpson will be well pissed off. But to return to the beginning of this post, Simpson needs a job.