ROB Marquis believes striker Troy Walbridge’s move to Portland United as a sideways move.

Walbridge ended a long association with coach Marquis to join Franklyn Clarke’s Blues last week after a seven-day approach was made for his services.

Walbridge joins Riley Weedon in leaving for Portland and Marquis feels the Weymouth under-23 forward would have benefitted more from playing at Bridport.

He told the Bridport News: “I just hope all the promises they’ve made to Troy are fulfilled.

“He has got a lot of potential. I would like to see Troy be successful and to get into Weymouth’s first team – I hope he does. That’s his goal.

“He’s not ready, it’s a long way off, but he could get there with a bit of work.

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“It is (a sideways) move because we’re both a similar tier and there’s no secret I’m doing a rebuilding job.

“I think what Portland are doing is lazy coaching. I don’t think they’re developing the players they’ve got. They just keep nicking.

“I have to put my hands up because we are at the bottom (of the Western League) and it is quite tough losing every week.”

Portland’s Clarke defended the Blues’ recruitment strategy.

He said: “I’m sure other teams will be looking at our lads and we’re always looking to improve.

“Yes, we’ve taken two players from them but it’s not necessarily a Bridport thing.

“If they’re playing for someone else and we like them, we try and bring them in, like we’ve done with Matt Burrows – we brought him in from Balti.

“All we’re doing is asking the question if these boys want to come.”