Disillusioned Spalding United boss Marcus Ebdon admits to being a little baffled by Josh Moreman’s decision to leave the club for Peterborough Sports.
The Tulips’ leading scorer, who snubbed a move to higher-graded King’s Lynn down just a few weeks ago, has decided to drop down two levels to play for Jimmy Dean’s ambitious UCL Division One outfit.
The speedy forward has been one of Spalding’s top performers this season – and is the third high-profile player to leave the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field mid-season, following Jake Newman (Stamford) and Mitch Griffiths (Lincoln United).
Ebdon, who is working around the clock to bring in fresh attacking talent, can’t get his head around Moreman’s decision and is clearly disappointed with the player.
He said: “In all honesty, Josh hasn’t really been at it for the last five games. His performances haven’t been up to his usual standard.
“But if he wants to go away and drop down two levels, that’s up to him.
“Would it be something I’d have ever considered as a player? Absolutely not.
“I can’t pretend to understand that mindset. I guess some players these days are just of a different ilk from my day.
“I know he has been speaking with Jimmy (Dean) since the start of the season, so it’s not a real surprise.
“All I can say is that I’m working on bringing in a replacement, but it’s proving a little difficult at present.”
Despite not having Moreman to call upon, Ebdon is in a positive mood ahead of Saturday’s Evo-Stik NPL Division One South clash with Kidsgrove Athletic.
The Tulips go into the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field clash (3pm KO) in solid enough form, having stretched their unbeaten run to three games with a 2-2 draw at Loughborough Dynamo on Saturday.
Ebdon dubbed Spalding’s first half showing there “awful”, but is hoping his side take their improved performance in the second 45 minutes into the clash.
Young attacker Kweku Lucan could be back in the squad, but Neal Spafford (knee) is sidelined.
Kidsgrove are 12th in the table but won 3-0 at leaders Stafford Rangers a few weeks ago – and Ebdon admits that they’ll still be full of confidence at the Sir Halley.
He added: “Hopefully the side which performed well in the second half at Loughborough will turn up.
“If we can build on that, we’ll have every chance. Fingers crossed the lads have learned their lesson.
“I know Kidsgrove will be full of confidence, so we’ll need to be prepared for them.
“We’re still in the hunt for the top five, it’s very close and we need to start putting some sort of run together if we want to stay in contention.”
