Notts County boss Luke Williams believes it was the right moment to let Joel Taylor leave the club as he emphasised the importance of focusing on the final nine games of the season.
It was announced on Monday that the Magpies defender had left Meadow Lane with his contract mutually terminated in an attempt to obtain regular first-team football at another club.
The 26-year-old started the campaign strongly, netting a wonderful strike in Notts' opening-day victory over Maidenhead at Meadow Lane before featuring for the final time a week later in the draw away to Boreham Wood.
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In November it was announced that Taylor had joined fellow National League side Dagenham and Redbridge on a two-month loan - featuring in all six of the games during that time.
He extended his stay at Victoria Road for a further month but found regular first-team appearances hard to come by during his second spell, making just one substitute appearance in the following six games before returning to Meadow Lane.
Taylor was named amongst the substitutes for Notts' fixtures against Southend and Bromley, with Williams perhaps alluding to a potential return to the first-team fold - ultimately never materialising.
The Magpies chief was on hand to detail the reasoning behind the decision, explaining that Taylor experienced a tough time with him during his stay at Meadow Lane.
"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 and 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 - and 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.
"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."
With Taylor's departure, questions have arisen as to whether Notts will look to strengthen their defensive options for the title run-in.
Williams will welcome Aden Baldwin back into his side after serving his two-match suspension following his red card against Dagenham and Redbridge while confirming Kyle Cameron is available for their clash with The Spitfires tomorrow evening.
But when asked whether he is looking to add to his back-line for the final nine games of the season, the Magpies boss explained the versatility shown by his players in recent weeks is enough to keep his side on track for National League glory.
"The position that Joel played in the wing-back position, I think Jodi has shown that he can understand the defensive duties required to play in that role.
"We have balance now back on the left side and we still have the chance to bring people in - Richard Brindley is close to coming back to the group so we are going to gain another defender.
"We are quite confident that we have enough bodies in the right departments and the quality that is required to keep us ticking over."
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