Buckle explains decisions behind early release of trio

The trio were out of contract at Kenilworth Road, but rather than wait until after the play-offs, the Town manager made his decision earlier than usual.

He said: “We’ve got 31 pros I think I’m right in saying, which is a big number.

“I don’t really want to work with such a big number, but the biggest thing is that I’m honest with the players and honest with myself.

“The second I feel in my heart that somebody is not going to have a future at the club, it’s my duty to tell them and I wanted to give those three players as much time as possible to try and find themselves new clubs.

“There’s no way I could look them in the eye and walk in the building knowing that they’re not going to be part of it and me just holding on to that because it suits me.

“I’m just not going to do that. There’s never a right time to let players go in terms of the season, but there’s a right time for that player.

“I’ve spoken to them and will do everything I can to recommend them to other clubs because they’re all fantastic lads.

“The bottom line is I didn’t feel I could see them getting into the first team short term.

“Looking at their ages, Christan’s quite young.

“We’ve got some good young players and I didn’t feel at the moment that he was getting up to the levels of the others, so it was only right I let them move on.”

Despite the three leaving, Town still have an over-inflated squad, with a host of players like Shane Blackett, Curtis Osano and Keith Keane out of contract in the summer.

Buckle added: “I think players want to be at a club where they’ve got a realistic chance of playing.

“Having 31 professionals, when we do 11 v 11, we’re left with nine extra.

“It’s a huge number and I don’t know the reasons why we’ve got so many pros.

“But certainly I want to be working in an environment where players are coming into the building knowing they’ve got a realistic chance of playing every Saturday.

“The first thing I said to the players and the staff when I came to the club was it’s a golden opportunity for everybody.

“I’m passionate about what I do and want to see that from everybody. If they give me that then the skill levels are there. If they give that, and the contract’s are up, then it only bodes well for them.”

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