Young explains shock decisions

SEAGULLS boss Neil Young was today (Nov 4) eager to explain the reasons behind surprise recent decisions to put Eddie Jebb on the transfer list and give popular squad member Steve Aspinall permission to speak to other clubs, as well as agreeing to the release of Alex Hay.
These have caused some concern amongst supporters, but the manager is keen to point out that it is NOT a cost cutting exercise and that he is looking to get a better balance to the squad for the second half of the season.
"The budget has not been cut, these decisions have been made by myself and my management team solely for footballing reasons," he said.
"We felt to progress further we had to make some very hard decisions - and have done that. Like every club we do have a budget to work to and it's my job to ensure that we have the right balance within that squad with the budget we have. We have a strategy to take us forward into the second half of the season and players have been identified to try and bring to the the club, these decisions have not been made off the cuff," said Neil.
"Eddie (Jebb) has been put on the transfer list because his performances have so far not been up to the standard I expected, Eddie can still have a major part to play but his performances must become more consistent if he is to play every week, at this moment they are not at the level required so he has been placed on the transfer list.
"Steve Aspinall has been a fantastic player for us, but he has not been able to get in the team recently because Luke Denson has come in at right back and done really well. Luke has that extra bit of pace, which we have been a bit short of at the back, and we are also looking for the full-backs to join in more, higher up the pitch
"Steve wants to be playing every week and at the moment we can't give him that, so it is only fair we allow him the chance to speak to other clubs.
"He is also an excellent midfielder, but we are very well covered in that department, while Anthony Sheehan and Ian Sheridan can both play right back if needed.
"I've heard the concerns that we are letting experienced players go, but we have plenty of experience in the squad with the likes of Dave Challinor, JImmy Kelly, Stuart Graves, Carl Clampitt and Tim Brandreth to name but a few and we want to get a better mix of experience and youth in the squad.
"We are talking to one or two other players who we would like to bring in, and in order to do that we have to reduce numbers in the squad because players will not hang around for long if they are not even getting on the bench."
Colwyn Bay may be six points clear at the top of the table at the moment, but they know they cannot afford to rest on their laurels and Neil Young says the management team are working hard to try and get together a squad for the second half of the season that will give the club the best possible chance of winning the promotion they crave