Blackpool still have work to do in transfer market says team boss Neil Critchley

The Seasiders have been the most active League One club in the transfer market this summer, making six new additions to date.

Ethan Robson became the latest to sign on the dotted line at Bloomfield Road, although he was unable to play in Saturday’s pre-season friendly win at Southport due to testing protocols.

Keshi Anderson, Marvin Ekpiteta, CJ Hamilton and Jerry Yates all made their first Pool appearance in the 4-0 victory at Haig Avenue, although Oliver Sarkic was rested as a precaution due to a slight knock.

With the League One campaign a month away, Critchley says further additions are still necessary.

“I think we’ve still got work to do,” Pool’s head coach told The Gazette. “We’ve still got our eyes open. We’re still having meetings and identifying areas where we feel we need to bring players in.

“But we have to be wary of the circumstances of the world and obviously the salary cap being introduced this season.

“I’m in favour of the cap, although I concede there are arguments for both sides. You could ask how some clubs have the same budget as other clubs in the division and that’s right across the board.

“But I think with the way football has gone, there had to be a resetting of the model because it wasn’t working. It wasn’t sustainable, that’s for certain.

“If it comes down to your recruitment, your academy and your coaching, then I’m quietly confident we can do well in those areas.”

A number of high-profile players have also departed, Ryan Hardie, Ryan Edwards and Nathan Delfouneso the latest to exit. Jamie Devitt, Liam Feeney and Adi Yussuf have been linked with moves, with others likely to be loaned out for regular football.

With the Seasiders likely to be limited to a squad of 22 senior players, Critchley admits further departures are on the cards if the club are to make more signings.

He added: “We had 20 players at Southport – with Oliver Sarkic and Ethan Robson that would make 22. That’s a squad of players plus your goalkeepers.

“If there are to be further players coming in, then you’d have to say there’s got to be players going out as well. I’m sure in the next few weeks there will be movement within the squad.”