Real shame to see Callum leave especially as when he was signed it was said he fitted the club player profile perfectly. Worked really hard for the team and certainly had some talent. On the negative side he missed so many chances and think it has been said a number of times that had we had a Medlock or Collin all season we would probably be in the play off places now. Good luck to him in the future and his old man, who was a real character.
The only thing I will say about Callum leaving and the statement below, is who is to say someone from a higher league wont come in for Ansu, Davide, etc etc in the next few weeks or months. Yes we may get some money for them but just because they are local doesn't make them any less likely to leave does it (Crutts apart perhaps)? at their young age surely their number one goal is to play at as higher level as soon as possible whether that happens now or in 5 years time....or am I wrong?
Davies to rejoin the tanners as the U’s workout Worthing.
HUFC can confirm that Calum Davies will be heading back to Leatherhead which he informed the Manager last night ahead of our mid-season Friendly away to Worthing.
Agutter commented, ‘we received a 7-day approach for Calum from Leatherhead last Thursday.....they have promised Calum First Team football at a higher level which coupled with the fact they are on his doorstep means Calum feels its the right move for him-we tried to tie Calum down on contract after the hat-trick he scored against Ashford Utd in the 3-1 away win last year but he made it clear then that he didn’t want to ‘cement’ himself at HUFC with a view to a team coming in from a higher level. I’d like to thank Calum for his effort, attitude and overall contribution since coming to the Club and on behalf of HUFC we wish him all the best and good luck for the future’.
Agutter continued, ‘this further reinforces my belief that a MAJORITY of our squad is ideally made up of home grown Hastings United players....players that don’t have an affinity with any club other than HUFC, players that are local......I know now more than ever we are doing the right thing!’
Meanwhile on the pitch the U’s produced an exceptional display to beat Worthing 4-1 at Woodside Road. Both the U’s and Mackerel Men fielded strong sides which culminated in a very competitive game played at a rip-roaring pace! Goals from Davide Rodari (2), Dayshonne Golding and a first senior goal for Academy player Jordan Harley sealed the victory, whilst Sam Cruttwell produced a MoM display in the heart of the midfield
"Agutter continued, ‘this further reinforces my belief that a MAJORITY of our squad is ideally made up of home grown Hastings United players....players that don’t have an affinity with any club other than HUFC, players that are local......I know now more than ever we are doing the right thing!’"
Really ?
Big news made about the players that came in initially on how Hastings was what they wanted and it was exciting to be part of the clubs journey, big numbers of players that wanted to play for the club after the radio interview and now we have one of those players leave and don't think anyone has signed apart from the guy that lasted 5 minutes and then went to Ashford struggling at the bottom of the table. It feels like it is just talking things up. Don't get me wrong performances have improved and we look like a team and credit must go to the manager for that but think we are a long way from being a promotion winning side, maybe a chance with the current lot of squeezing into the play offs next season.
Good news about players signing, Cruttwell especially as he is playing well below his level. But does this mean they will all definitely be at Hastings next season? What if another club comes in for them or are these signings on a contract that means the players can not go anywhere else? If they can still go to another club then could be a bit presumptuous.
Agree about Sallis going ... we don’t seem to keep anyone ... like the idea of local players but ambition wise if only we have kept Medlock
Personally we are now seeing Davides skill and his fitness , dedication and the most important thing in sport and life ... discipline ...
At the start of the season I was saying and still believe he should of gone on loan to a lower division and become a goal scoring ‘hero’ for a club like Hollington or Bexhill
He would of come back with so much more confidence ... however can he step up to the mark on a senior level like he clearly is in the development side scoring for fun ... I have really warmed to him , he really is going for it and deserves a senior status
However , who have we got up front ?? ... even with Callum we had no replacement from the bench . Really feel that the organisation side has let us down with the constant leaving of people from the club .. the youth policy has worked but no organisation on the senior level ..bit of a pickle really, feels like we are always fighting fires
However , 100% behind the board and chris ... we are Hastings !!!
-- Edited by ChrisVanRock on Saturday 10th of March 2018 10:11:36 AM
I don’t get the concern over his departure, we are going nowhere this season, he wasn’t a great finisher, and you couldn’t see us challenging for promotion with him as the number 1 striker. So ok proves a minor issue for this season but does it matter if we finish 9th or 19th.
I think Davide has what it takes as a striker. He needs to play up front a be given a run in that position. With Crutts and Sammy behind him he will get us goals.
I don’t get the concern over his departure, we are going nowhere this season, he wasn’t a great finisher, and you couldn’t see us challenging for promotion with him as the number 1 striker. So ok proves a minor issue for this season but does it matter if we finish 9th or 19th.
You're right about the timing: much better for it to happen now given that this season is effectively done, although, as others have noted, you'd have to wonder about the club's ability to hang on to some of the other young talent before the start of the next campaign.
But I don't agree that Davies' departure shouldn't be cause for concern. His finishing wasn't as clinical as it might've been, true, but having a striker constantly looking to get in behind the opposition defence, always nagging away at the last defender, was an absolutely key component in much of the positive football we've seen in recent months. He created space for others to exploit.
That doesn't make him irreplaceable, obviously. But hard to replace? Certainly. I'll miss him; I really enjoyed watching him.
Totally agree with Mr.Ig.For such a young player to be a lone striker I thought Calum done really well.He was often up against much bigger opponents but usually gave them a lot to think about.He made so many intelligent runs,often making space for others to run into.He could also hold the ball up well.
As you say,no one is irreplaceable but I felt he was a welcome addition to the team and fitted all the criteria we are looking for.
I will be interested to see how he progresses
Hopefully soon there will be a announcement that a lot of young players will stay for next season. There are a lot of young players with potential and i know from experience that if higher rated teams will come for those players it is difficult to keep them.
