Carlisle United's latest addition could help solve problem left by Owen Moxon: View | OneFootball

United have struggled with this ever since their local hero left for Portsmouth.

Carlisle United added their first non-defensive addition on Wednesday, announcing the signing of former MK Dons midfielder Ethan Robson.

It proved to be a busy day for the Blues, who found out their schedule for the 2024/25 League Two season, revealed their new home and away kits, and welcomed Robson all in one morning.

Blues manager Paul Simpson had revealed first thing on Wednesday that a midfielder was in the building having a medical. That player turned out to be Robson, and he has signed a two-year deal with the Cumbrian side.

Carlisle's focus will now turn to bringing in forwards and a right-back. Simpson hinted at the latter, saying that, based on the revealed squad numbers, which showed the number two to still be vacant, you could work out what type of player they wanted, as per the News & Star. Robson will wear the number seven.

Where Ethan Robson will fit into Carlisle United's squad

On the surface, the 27-year-old is of a similar ilk to what the Blues already have. His numbers over recent years wouldn't suggest that he is the most attacking of midfielders; they put him more in the category of a Josh Vela, a Harrison Neal or a Callum Guy.

The way that the boss described him certainly suggests that he sees Robson adding an element to the centre of the park that he didn't previously have to work with.

"Ethan is a really good footballer,"Simpson told the club's media team. "He’s left-footed so he gives us a little bit more balance in that area.

"We’ve got quite a few players who you’d say were a number six type midfielder who can control the midfield, whereas Ethan is a little bit more forward-thinking. He’s got good legs about him to go and get forward and get in the box.

"He’s got a wand of a left foot for finding that pass. In the past couple of seasons he hasn’t been the one getting the assists for goals, but he’s the one finding the pass that leads to the assist."

Because of what Simpson said, and the number that he's given him, it's probably safe to suggest the idea for Robson, who has well over 200 career appearances, is for him to be in the Carlisle starting XI.

His inclusion in the team could help to solve an issue that has been haunting the Blues since they sold Owen Moxon to Portsmouth in January.

How Ethan Robson can help solve problem left by Owen Moxon

Moxon played on the left-side of a centre-midfield trio when with the Blues, which immediately showcases his quality because he is right-footed.

He was able to operate in the half-spaces and knit the play between the left wing-back and those playing more centrally.

Since he was bought by the eventual League One champions, Carlisle have struggled to find a player to fill that role.

With the passing ability that Simpson claims that Robson has, he could be very useful in playing the role that Moxon did, therefore unlocking the potential of the likes of Cameron Harper, who recently moved to Brunton Park from Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Losing the Carlisle-born centre-mid also meant that the Blues lost most of their set-piece delivery in one go. Harper, who is also left-footed, has shown himself to be capable of delivering a good ball from dead play, but Robson could also prove to be useful if needs be.