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IT
Tell me about Darryl Duffy first of all, coming from Bristol Rovers, why did you choose him? Why is he coming?
GA
Because he has got a really good goalscoring record so we felt that we needed that type in. We needed somebody that has got the ability to put the ball in the back of the net and hence we chased after Darryl and managed to make it happen today, and very pleased to have done that.
IT
So you think he is the striker that might make all the difference?
GA
We are hoping so, you always are when you make new signings. We are pretty hopeful and keen with his record and what he has done at other clubs in terms of his goalscoring that he can come to Carlisle and get himself on the scoring charts on a regular basis.
IT
The other signing is Ben Marshall, just 18, is he one for the future or one for right now?
GA
He is a bit of one for the future but a bit of one for right now as well. He has had about 20-odd games in League Two with Cheltenham and Northampton this season and he is on the way up in his career. He will give us cover for our two wide players where we haven't got as much as strength in depth there that we have in other positions. So it has been a useful one, he is looking forward to joining us and we are looking forward to having him.
IT
He has got to step up from League Two though hasn't he?
GA
Well he is 18 so he will do that, he is going to improve and he has got good pedigree. He has been at a Premier League club so he is starting off his career and we hope to progress that for him.
IT
In both cases these are fairly short loan term periods. I think the disappointment with loans for the fans over the last few months, people like Vincent Pericard coming in and then not staying, is the worry that it might happen again. Is that just the way it has to be these days?
GA
Well Darryl has signed to the end of the season with us, although it is a three month deal he will miss one game, so I don't see that as too short a time. Ben is one with a month with a view so if he does well we can increase that.
So that is no problem there, but the way that the transfer window is set up you do find there are more loans than permanents at this time. Because nobody wants to let out players at this particular time, and sometimes people haven't got the money, so the loan system is a way of getting round that.
IT
I know if I ask a football manager whether they are happy with the team currently, either they are never happy or they are always happy. We have got the emergency loan window as an option next week, are you likely to use that? Is there more shopping to be done?
GA
We will just see how the team goes, we are always looking to improve the team. We are always looking to improve results, at the minute results are OK, four defeats in 19 is not bad. We have got ourselves around mid-table with a couple of games in hand, if we think we can do something to improve it then we will do.
IT
And both of them are off with you to Essex tomorrow?
GA
They are on their way as we speak, they are on the way to the hotel. They are both in their cars coming from their various parts of the country. So we are hoping to have them around or about eight o'clock or nine o'clock time tonight. We will integrate them into the squad, we are all staying up to meet and greet so that will be great to see them.