THERE was always going to come a time where Phil Parkinson made choices which went somewhat against the grain.

Regardless of last season’s success, Wanderers are still in a period of great transition where every penny spent will be scrutinised.

And as such, there was little room for sentiment when deciding which of the promotion heroes stayed at the Macron and which were allowed to leave with best wishes.

When the manager walked through the doors last summer, much of the 'dirty work' had been done for him.

The club's ownership wisely wanted to make the transition as smooth as possible for their new appointment and allow him to concentrate entirely on the players who would be at his disposal.

Twelve months down the line, Parkinson has avoided any great controversy as he restructures his squad with the Championship in mind. Lawrie Wilson’s departure caused a few ripples among fans, while Dorian Dervite’s new contract also gave a few of his lingering critics something to chew on.

But on Thursday night it was confirmed Max Clayton would be joining Blackpool – prompting a few more dissenting voices to question whether letting the young striker go was a wise move?

Firstly, it must be pointed out that an informal arrangement had been made with Clayton that he could remain at Wanderers until he either earned a new contract, or sealed a move elsewhere.

A move to Bloomfield Road, in the end, suited everyone. Clayton gets a chance to kickstart his career at a level he has played before, while Parkinson keeps open a crucial space in a squad still restricted by embargo.

Over the past 24 hours, some have expressed their disappointment the Whites had not secured the 22-year-old’s future sooner – buying again into the same potential Dougie Freedman did back in September 2014 when he brought him from Crewe. But rather than being known as a player always battling back from long-term injury, Clayton needed a fresh start and a chance to release the pressure which had built on him during the last year of his contract.

No-one who spent any time in the former England youth international’s company would wish him anything other than good fortune in the future.

It is a sad fact, however, that injuries came to define his time at Bolton and cloud over the promise he showed when first bursting into the team under Neil Lennon, alongside the Whites’ other bright young things Zach Clough and Josh Vela.

Timing was unfortunate. A cruciate ligament tear and a freakish hamstring rupture in November 2015 meant by the time Clayton returned to duty, he was not only playing for a different manager but also different owners and in a different division.

The striker had to prove himself again. And though Parkinson saw potential in the young man, there were times when his desire to play his way into a new deal and make up all that lost time looked too much for him to bear.

His goal at Coventry City in January could have been a springboard but soon after that Wanderers settled into a 3-5-2 formation which did not play to his strengths.

Parkinson gave him assurance he would not be dumped on the scrapheap – and had an offer not arrived from Blackpool he may well have been reporting back for duty again at Lostock next week.

At 22, he has plenty of time to rebuild his career at Bloomfield Road under a canny manager in Garry Bowyer.

Parkinson also had to consider the fact his squad is still subject to EFL restrictions and each space in the 23-man quota at this moment in time is precious.

A tough choice was made but one wonders if it will be the last?

Fans have climbed readily aboard with the club’s plans to reduce spending on wages. But with Jay Spearing’s contract front and centre for discussion, here comes the acid test.

The popular midfielder was brought in permanently from Liverpool four years ago on a big contract, described at the time as Dougie Freedman’s “blue chip” signing of the summer.

Wanderers can no longer afford to be extravagant if they are to stick to their plan but must weigh up the impact of losing one of the biggest personalities in their dressing room and a player with proven Championship class.