Frustrated Holbeach United manager Danny Hussey admits that he’s considering his future at the club due to the attitude of a large percentage of his squad.
Despite still being in all of the cup competitions barring the Emirates FA Cup and having only lost twice in the Uhlsport UCL Premier Division, Hussey admits that he’s at his wit’s end with some of his players.
The Tigers chief has grown bemused at his consistent issues with player availability and is angry that his squad look out of shape and seem incapable of following basic instructions.
Hussey, who hopes that his players will up their efforts after reading his frank and honest assessment, insists that something has to give at Carter’s Park – be it him leaving, or some of the playing squad.
“Changes are needed here,” insisted the former Stamford assistant manager. “I’d be lying if I said that I was happy with how things are going at the moment – and that’s me talking when we’ve had a relatively decent start to the season.
“Off the field, I’m finding myself spending too much time chasing players to actually get them to play.
“I’m very busy with work and whenever I’m home, I’m chasing players so I can get a team out on a Saturday, Tuesday or Wednesday.
“I get players calling me late at night pulling out, saying they can’t play because they’re going to some garden tea party, or whatever.
“Too many of the team don’t even seem to do anything themselves away from training or matches and they look unfit.
“Coming from a step four management team at Stamford down to step five with Holbeach has been a major culture shock, some of the players just don’t seem to care. I wouldn’t mind chasing around for players if they were giving me something back, but they just aren’t at the moment.
“I’m sacrificing family time to try and get them to want to play on Saturday, but the reality is football isn’t a priority for many of them. That’s an alien concept to me; when I played, it came first.
“These players need to realise that they are paid to pay at Holbeach United and need to treat it like it’s their job.
“They don’t put the work in on the pitch and won’t follow simple instructions – and this is me talking when we’re seventh in the league and in all of the cups.
“I don’t know what else to say, I can’t lie and say I’ve not been deliberating my future.
“I had to put myself on the bench again last weekend and had to draft in Daz Edey, who is the wrong side of 45, to be a substitute too.
“A few of the lads have contacted me to see what I’m thinking at the moment after seeing me post on Facebook, but actions speak louder than words. I want to see them heed my words and start putting in the kind of performances I expect here.
“If things don’t improve, something has to give for the good of the club. It’s eating away at me, either we have a clean break and I walk away, or I make massive changes and we start again.”
This Saturday sees Holbeach host fourth-placed Rugby Town at Carter’s Park (3pm), with Hussey having to do without injured goalkeeper Ricky Drury.
He is hopeful of bringing in short-term cover, with a player at Corby Town emerging as his number one option to replace his keeper over the coming weeks. Liam Adams could also return, while Tom Smith, Adam Jackson and Josh Ford should also be available.
