With the 2015/16 league campaign, for United at least, slowly approaching its mid-point, and with consistency in both results and performances having proved frustratingly elusive, boss Garry Wilson has decided to try and freshen up his playing squad in certain areas, if possible, in a bid to give the U's promotion aspirations a boost.
This process has commenced with Wilson having taken the difficult decision to release two players, Jack Harris and Sam Crabb, both of whom moved to the Pilot Field back in the summer, but are now free to speak with other clubs.
Harris was the first striker to commit his future to the U's back in June, agreeing a switch from Division One South rivals Faversham Town. and he netted three times in six pre-season friendlies, before hitting a hat-trick on his senior debut in the 6-0 opening day victory at home to Chipstead.
He scored another goal in the defeat at Chatham Town the following weekend, but was unfortunate to then embark on a barren spell that only came to an end at Worthing on October 20, by which point he was already regularly starting on the bench, a situation that has continued ever since. Zac Attwood's recent return from injury has left Wilson with a surfeit of attacking options, and Harris departs with a record of eight goals and five assists from a total of thirty-four appearances.
Crabb has featured three times fewer than his erstwhile attacking colleague this term, most frequently at right back, but also as the right wing back when United have lined up in a 3-5-2 formation. He scored his first goal for the Club in the FA Cup replay win at home to Herne Bay at the end of September, and has also contributed a couple of assists.
Everyone at the Club would like to place on record their appreciation for both players' efforts since the start of the campaign and to wish both every success in their future careers.
Although it is always sad to see players released I am not really surprised by either of these. Jack came with a big reputation at the beginning of the season and got of to a flyer scoring a hat-trick on his debut, albeit against nine man Chipstead, but since that day has rather struggled. To me he just didn't look fit enough and for a big lump was very average in the air, but he never stopped trying and really disappointed it didn't work out for him. As for Crabb, for me, he has been the most disappointing of all of Gary's signings. Half decent going forward but very poor defensively and his work rate was quite honestly dreadful. As supporters we can always accept the odd poor performance but certainly never a lack of effort and I don't think his heart was in it towards the end.
I see Max Hollobone played for Eastbourne on Saturday and would not be surprised to see another regular on the bench follow him soon either on loan or for good. I would also like to see Bright go out on loan and get some game time. Great promise but the young lad needs minutes on the pitch, not sitting on his arse.
I have already said that I would love to see Alfie Hall back at the club and play in a flat back four with Razor, Jirbandy and Ollie now at right back. This would then perhaps release Walder to give us a bit of steel back in the centre although admittedly he has been poor there all season and does look better at the back. I would have thought that a ball playing, strong central midfielder now has to be Gary's number one priority and someone like Three Bridges captain Lee Carney (not Lee Carey), would be just the job.
I really think this had to be done and I feel the right players have probably been released. Hopefully we will now find some suitable replacements to give the squad a more balanced look as well as keeping some of the other under performers on their toes. I suggest this is now a huge month for both Gary and Danny and they must insure they get the right guys in. Fingers crossed for all concerned.
I see these decisions as positive for the club and an indication that Garry is ready to make difficult choices. Jack and Sam Crabb both have ability and potential to do significantly better than they have done for us. Good luck to them. For us, for goodness sake, let's give our maximum support to Garry and Danny. I believe - despite recent disappointments - that we will get to the play-offs; and that Garry and Danny should be given the full season to achieve that.
strange to let players go before new players come in ok so we have way to many forwards but not defenders even though agree with johns comments so maybe it is cutting budget although to early for that as we still have good chance of play offs unless the money spent already have put pressure on club. cant disagree with these 2 being most disappointing out of the hype early season
Lenny that may be the case, hopefully some new players will come in. But if they don't it will save money. If we are too play 3-5-2 we need a wing back and a centre half.
Chris there's no maybe about it, that is the facts. I honestly don't know whether Garry and Danny intend to bring in new players or not so I can't comment on the likelihood of that. If there are any new players signed then of course it will be announced firstly on the main website and then through the various other social media means.
You claim Jack Harris didn't live up to his reputation but I would argue that he was - and maybe always has - had too much pressure on him.
He began well at Tunbridge Wells and joined Maidstone, while I think he was still a teenager - lots expected him to make an immediate impact and were disappointed when he didn't.
He then joined us at Faversham and did pretty well, although last season, he did score something like 20 goals before Christmas and 2 after that.
He then joined you with a supposed 'big reputation' (is that fair on a young lad that has only probably played one full season in the Ryman South)?
In some ways, scoring a hat-trick on debut was the worst thing he could possibly do for you guys.
I, for one, would like to see him back in a white shirt to help him continue to develop - personally, I think he can get much, much better.
He turns 22 at the start of January... That sink in?!
-- Edited by FAV army on Wednesday 23rd of December 2015 01:42:40 AM
Well put Fav, on top of that you could argue he wasn't the right fit for a team without tactics, and a similar type of player to play alongside. The one big area that Jack seems to be lacking is in the air for a young man of his build he must improve that area if he wants to play at a good level.
This time last year, I was in agreement with ChrisB on a number of issues (one in particular - the previous regime) but 12 months on, I find that I am on a completely different page now. I know that football is all about opinions, and a forum like this is designed for supporters to express those opinions, albeit, you hope, in a constructive manner, with sensible alternatives offered if something's not quite right. There are plenty of good examples of this from a number of contributors.
So here's my opinion, for what it's worth. ChrisB appears to want Garry replaced - apparently, he's had success off the back of others - DISAGREE. We have no tactics - DISAGREE. We won't get near the play-offs - DISAGREE. Timely squad adjustments mean budget cuts - DISAGREE. And a bit of advice to ChrisB if I may be so bold - if you want to know something, don't guess, or second-guess, or drop little unsettling nuggets, or look for something that probably isn't there...go and ask the owners, go and ask Garry about his tactics...you might just get the answers you need, although they might not be the answers you want to hear.
I would have liked to retain jack in particular but we do have a lot of forwards at the moment & if his wages can be reinvested into positions we sorely lack such as CM and RW and he gets to be a starter elsewhere then probably best for both sides.
I do feel he will be a success elsewhere and think this has the feel of a Ronnie Dolan deal where he will thrive for a rival but sometimes these things can't be helped.
If Medlock & Attwood can finally start to form a proper partnership then we do actually have a different and well suited partnership potentially that may well be prolific but we'll have to wait and see now.
-- Edited by Dan on Wednesday 23rd of December 2015 09:46:48 AM
Personally, don't think it would be a disaster if we don't get promoted this year. John made some interesting points in another thread suggesting it might have been more sensible to build from the bottom up-sorting our development squads first to insure that a realistic and clear pathway exists for young players in the area to progress through to the first team. We have, in my opinion, been in too much of a hurry to get promoted with a newly assembled group of players and we are still struggling to achieve a consistent level of performance. I have enjoyed lots of our games this season and even if we get thumped by sides like Folkestone it is possible to appreciate the performance of our opponents. Certainly don't agree that it is a rubbish league to play in as there are a number of very useful sides around. Hope Gary and Danny are still here next year having been allowed time to create a really good side at Hastings.
Some fans on here think we have a god given right to be in the Ryman premier or above timbjones. it's a rebuilding process which takes time. build from the bottom up? Worthing are the prime example how many players will be here when the money start's to dry up????
Bit of advice to you oth, its simple to write disagree from afar, please provide examples of your disagrees. I have given examples to my points on posts this season.
Harris had a brilliant game at Crawley where the ball was played into his feet and he held it up for others to join. Haven't seen enough of that in other games. Whether that is his fault or the tactics employed I don't know. Plenty of potential but square peg in a round hole perhaps.
Have to say I was slightly surprised at Jack leaving, as I thought he was potentially a good option for us. As long as Attwood can stay fit, him and Billy can play down the middle, with Tyrell and Temba as back-up.
