Neil Critchley delivers his verdict on Blackpool's January transfer business

The Seasiders brought in three new arrivals in Ellis Simms, Kevin Stewart and Elliot Embleton, while Dan Ballard had his loan from Arsenal extended.

Moving on, meanwhile, were Jamie Devitt, Ryan Hardie, Teddy Howe, Oliver Sarkic, MJ Williams, Calum Macdonald and Adi Yussuf.

When asked for his verdict on Blackpool’s busy deadline day, Critchley told The Gazette: “It was a very frenetic day, a lot happened.

“I think we can get too caught up in what happens on the final day, I think you have to look at the transfer window as a whole all the way from the start of January up until 11pm on deadline day.

“I believe with all the work we’ve done we can be really pleased with what we’ve done.

“We’ve got a process and a strategy to move forward and that makes the decision-making process a lot easier. We discuss what we think is the best thing for the club and when you do that, you’ve got a better chance of making the right decisions.”

Howe, Sarkic, Williams, Macdonald and Yussuf all left Bloomfield Road on deadline day with one eye on the summer window.

Squad restrictions brought in at the beginning of the season dictate clubs can only name a squad of 22 senior players, with senior being classed as those aged 21 and over.

However, that figure reduces to 20 next season, which left the Seasiders with no choice but to streamline their squad.

“That comes back to our strategy moving forward because you have to plan ahead,” Critchley added.

“You’re always trying to work towards the next window as well, although it’s important what happens now too.

“But you always have to be planning six months down the line because the salary cap and squad restrictions play a big part in that.

“Some of those decisions were taken with that in mind.”

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