Blackpool boss addresses MJ Williams and Ethan Robson speculation amid rumoured Bolton, Motherwell and Rangers interest

Neil Critchley has remained tight-lipped on speculation linking Blackpool midfielders MJ Williams and Ethan Robson with moves away on transfer deadline day.
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It’s understood Williams is likely to depart Bloomfield Road today, with Ian Evatt’s Bolton Wanderers mooted.

Robson, meanwhile, has been linked with a loan move to Scottish side Motherwell with Rangers also interested.

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However, The Gazette understands that’s not as cut and dried and could just be an agent drumming up interest.

Nevertheless, with defensive midfielder Kevin Stewart recently arriving, the Seasiders could look to move on other players in that position to free up space for further additions.

With Blackpool tending to play with two central midfielders in the league, that could leave Williams and Robson surplus to requirements when everyone is fit.

Critchley’s side already have six players capable of playing in that position in the form of Stewart, Kenny Dougall, Matty Virtue, Grant Ward and both Williams and Robson.

MJ Williams has been linked with a move to BoltonMJ Williams has been linked with a move to Bolton
MJ Williams has been linked with a move to Bolton
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When asked about the speculation this lunchtime, Critchley told The Gazette: “We have to look at the balance of the squad and what we think is right, what is best for the club and for the player.

“No deal at the moment is imminent, but I’d be surprised if at the end of the day there wasn’t some type of movement in and out.

“Until it’s definite these deals happen, I wouldn’t want to comment on individual players at this moment in time.”

Critchley revealed the Seasiders are working on both ins and outs on deadline day.

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As of lunchtime, nothing is imminent but the Blackpool boss admitted he’d be surprised if there wasn’t movement before tonight’s 11pm deadline.

Critchley said: “There’s still some hours left in the day, so it might be a long day!

“We’re working, we’re looking at some potential ins and outs but a lot can happen today as I’ve already found out.

“There’s obviously quite a lot of clubs trying to manouvre and that can create other options and openings, so you just have to be ready to react.

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“But we’re doing our work, we are trying to follow our process and we have a strategy in place. That’s what we’ll be looking to do going forward as a football club.”

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