Neil Critchley: Others clubs interested in Blackpool stars during transfer window

The Seasiders managed to keep hold of their best players last month, while bringing in Ellis Simms, Kevin Stewart and Elliot Embleton.

Going out were fringe and back-up players Teddy Howe, Calum Macdonald, MJ Williams, Jamie Devitt, Oliver Sarkic, Ryan Hardie and Adi Yussuf.

Asked if there had been interest in any of his first-team players last month, Critchley did not reveal names but told The Gazette: “Yes there was but there was nothing we thought would benefit the club or benefit the players.

“A lot can happen in January. A lot of teams are looking to strengthen and a lot can make enquiries but they’re not always concrete.

“We did get interest but we did good work and didn’t lose anyone we didn’t want to lose. We’ve kept them in house and that will make us stronger for what lies ahead.”

When asked if any of those enquiries were followed up by offers, Pool’s head coach added: “No, there were no firm bids.”

January was not as busy as previous windows for Blackpool – 17 players arrived and 21 moved on during the summer.

Critchley said: “We’re really happy with the work we did throughout the month. We had a plan of what we wanted to do and I believe we did that.

“I had tremendous support and we have a strategy in place to help us try to progress the football club.

“With the salary cap and squad restrictions, you have to be mindful of that moving into next season, so we’ve been careful. I believe that with the players we’ve moved in and out we’re in a stronger position than at the start of the window. In any window, that’s what you’re looking to do.

“We did a lot of work back in the summer. We worked extremely hard as a recruitment team and as a staff because we felt that was the right thing to do.

“In January we didn’t need to do as much work. It was a case of needing to do little bits here and there, and we managed to do that.

“It’s been carefully put together. Deadline day is always a bit frantic, but when you’ve got a good strategy and good communication throughout the club, it makes that decision-making process much easier. Therefore you can prevent yourself making mistakes.”

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