Carlisle United boss to speak to Owen Moxon over backlash

Carlisle United’s manager said Moxon has expressed some discomfort at the reaction to last week’s news that he wouldn’t be signing a new contract.

Simpson named the Denton Holme player in his side for Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers.

But he said he would have further discussions with the 26-year-old to gauge his state of mind.

“We need to look at it and we need to have a chat with him,” Simpson told the News & Star.

“He's got concerns, because…I don’t do social media, but I'm led to believe he’s got a bit of stick on social media this week, when it all came out, which is a little bit unfortunate.

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“But everybody has their own opinions, everybody's entitled to voice their opinions.

“And as a footballer, you have to make a choice. If you want to stay on social media, you have to be strong enough to deal with it. Or you come off it, simple as that.

“So we'll see what happens with Mox and see how he wants to go about it.”

Simpson revealed last Thursday that Carlisle-born Moxon had decided not to sign the improved deal United have long had on the table.

The manager said the former Annan Athletic star planned to look at his options in the summer when his current deal expires.

Simpson bolstered his midfield by signing Josh Vela last week (Image: Ben Holmes)

United’s boss recently bolstered his midfield options with the signing of Fleetwood Town’s Josh Vela, who came off the bench for Moxon in the 71st minute on Saturday.

Simpson said the decision over Moxon’s selection would continue to be weighed up.

“For me, he's contracted here until the end of the season,” added the manager.

“And until something changes on that, then I've got to make a call in discussions with him and how I see him coping with it, as to whether he's right.

“The good thing is we have somebody like Josh Vela waiting to come into the team.”

A report by the journalist Alan Nixon yesterday credited Blackpool and Portsmouth with interest in Moxon.