What do Carlisle United need to achieve during the January transfer window?

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Keith Millen is actively looking to improve the Carlisle United squad in January to try and steer the Cumbrians away from relegation troubles.

The Blues have improved under the former Crystal Palace coach but they will need to add a little more quality to the squad to increase their chances of staying up.

Carlisle have added highly-rated full-back Joel Senior to their squad, however, other areas also need to be strengthened as well as tying down some crucial players.

Here are three things the Cumbrians need to do to have a successful January transfer window.

A new contract for Mark Howard

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This is quite possibly the most important piece of business the Cumbrians will need to do this winter.

Carlisle have kept seven clean sheets since the experienced stopper joined in October. Magnus Norman started the season as the first-choice goalkeeper with Burnley loanee Lucas Jensen as back up but neither of them instilled the much-needed confidence into the side.

Howard may be reaching his late 30s but the former Scunthorpe United man has shown fantastic reflexes and his influence on the Blues’ backline has been crucial. 

Before the signing of Howard, Carlisle’s defence often looked chaotic and unsure but the veteran has brought a calming effect over those protecting his goal. 

Quite simply, if the Cumbrians fail to tie down Howard, it will be a huge blow to their chances of survival. 

Keep hold of key assets 

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Despite not reaching the high standards set last season, Callum Guy and Jon Mellish are still key players for the Cumbrians.

Guy has previously been linked to several League One clubs and the mightily rich Wrexham, but Carlisle’s skipper is only really starting to look like the player he was last season. 

The Blues’ midfield general topped League Two’s assist table last season, however, he has failed to find form and has only recorded one assist this campaign. 

With Guy starting to improve his recent performances, and if the Cumbrians can hold onto him, he could be vital in driving the side away from relegation worries.

Mellish is another star of last season who has not got going but that does not mean there still won’t be interest in the 24-year-old.

The defender turned box to box midfielder scored 16 goals in all competitions last campaign but has only managed three so far this season.

There’s no doubt Mellish has been affected by poor summer recruitment at the club leaving him without much of a supply line, but his dangerous late runs into the box have not been as frequent.

Millen has utilised Mellish as a centre forward in recent games and it may be the only way to fit the former Gateshead man in the preferred 4-4-2 formation. 

If Carlisle can find some more creative players, Mellish might still be able to reach double figures this season.

Joe Riley and Jack Armer are two others that clubs may have a possible interest in during January but the Cumbrians need to hold onto them no matter what.

Find a potent striker or two

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Goalscoring has been an immense problem for the Cumbrians this season with winger Jordan Gibson currently the top goalscorer on four goals. 

The main striker signed in the summer, Tristan Abrahams, has only found the net three times without looking convincing as a lead striker.

Academy striker Sam Fishburn was deadly on loan at Lancaster City but he has yet to bring that form to the first team. 

Carlisle have missed the physicality of Joshua Kayode and Offrande Zanzala which they benefited from last season.

The Cumbrians are still creating chances but missing a natural poacher is one of the reasons they have struggled this season, only finding the net 16 times.

A striker with height and strength combined with a smaller pacey forward would be the ideal scenario for the Blues.

They may have to dip into the non-league and Scottish league markets to find a goalscorer able to fire the side away from the drop.

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