Notts County manager Luke Williams speaks on the departure of Joel Taylor

Notts County manager, Luke Williams, believes that allowing Joel Taylor to leave was the right decision as it allows the team to focus on their remaining nine games. Taylor left the club as his contract was mutually terminated in an attempt to obtain regular first-team football elsewhere. Taylor had a strong start to the season, scoring a goal in Notts' opening-day victory, but his playing time dwindled, leading to a loan to Dagenham and Redbridge.

Williams hinted at a potential return for Taylor by naming him as a substitute for two games, but ultimately that never materialised.

The manager explained that Taylor had experienced a difficult time during his stay at Meadow Lane, which may have contributed to his departure. Ultimately, the decision to let Taylor go was seen as necessary to allow the team to concentrate on their remaining fixtures.

In an interview with the Nottingham Post, Luke Williams stated:  "Joel we know has real talent, he has a cannon of a left foot and can put the ball wherever he wants, but there were times in transition mainly.

"It's important for me to say he had a tough time with me. I demand a lot from him and all of the players, and the guy we just spoke about in Adam Chicksen really makes it difficult because he is so intense and so deliberate with everything he does, he is there every minute of every single day.

"When you are up against that type of competition, it's challenging because you have to match that bare minimum before that quality can shine through.

"He went on loan to get more game time and started well there, then had a bit of a tough time and didn't play as many minutes as he wanted to play, and then when he returned to County, we are in a great place, and it was such tough competition with so many players playing well." Williams added.

In November, it was announced that Joel Taylor had joined Dagenham and Redbridge on a two-month loan. During that time, he featured in all six games. Taylor extended his stay at Victoria Road for an additional month. However, he struggled to secure regular first-team appearances during his second spell, only making one substitute appearance in the following six games before returning to Meadow Lane.

"He expressed his desire to go and try and kickstart his career again, and when a guy has been really good and behaving and wanting to set the tone that if you come in and apply yourself and be a good pro even if you're having a bad time, that is what is expected of you.

"If you do that then I try to help, yes we have left ourselves a little bit short on numbers, but it was the right thing to do at the right moment because we want everyone focused for this run in, and it was becoming increasingly more difficult for Joel to do that."

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