Wat chance of Adam returning?
By Wendy Gee
EASTLEIGH boss Richard Hill has not ruled out the possibility of bringing midfielder Adam Watkins back to the Silverlake Stadium.
The 21-year-old joined Eastleigh on loan from Luton Town in February until the end of the season and scored some vital goals to help the Spitfires into the Blue Square Bet South play-offs.
He was out of contract with the Hatters this summer and has gone on Twitter to confirm he was “no longer a Luton player.”
Although Watkins rarely started for Eastleigh, he made a huge impact off the bench.
Having scored twice in a 3-0 victory at Basingstoke, he bagged the winner in a 1-0 home win over Hornchurch and earned his adopted club a crucial point in a 1-1 draw at Bath City.
His ‘super sub’ status was tarnished when he was sent off for shoving Ricky Modeste in the face during Eastleigh’s costly 3-1 home defeat to Dover Athletic in the play-off semi-final, first leg, ruling him out of the return match at Crabble where the Spitfires’ promotion dream eventually perished on penalties.
But Watkins’ plus points definitely outweighed the minuses, according to Hill.
“Adam shouldn’t have done what he did, he shouldn’t have raised his hands, but how can I slate him? If it wasn’t for his goals, we wouldn’t have made the play-offs,” said the Eastleigh boss.
“You have to be careful when you take lads on loan because sometimes they don’t have the same focus and goals as the rest of the lads, but Adam fitted in well here and worked very hard. I’ve nothing but good things to say about him, he did fantastic for us.
“His aim for Eastleigh was exactly the same as the players contracted to the club and the same goes for (fellow Luton loanee) Alex Lacey.”
Watkins was this week linked with a move to Dunstable Town, who are heading for the Evo-Stik Southern One Central after going unbeaten throughout the whole of the Molten Spartan South Midlands Premier Division campaign.
But Hill suspects the midfielder will aim higher than Dunstable – and maybe even higher than Eastleigh.
“Adam has played in the Conference Premier and has been on loan at Kidderminster and I’m sure he’ll want to exercise his options to play at that level,” said the Spitfires boss.
“I could say a step down is a step forward in the long run but, let’s be honest, Adam’s showing a bit of ambition by wanting to play at the highest level.
“He’s away on his holidays now, but I’ve had a conversation with him and he’s made me aware he’s available. He and his agent know my views.
“But I’ve got a list of players I want to bring to the club and some will have to be careful they don’t miss the boat.”
EASTLEIGH boss Richard Hill has not ruled out the possibility of bringing midfielder Adam Watkins back to the Silverlake Stadium.
The 21-year-old joined Eastleigh on loan from Luton Town in February until the end of the season and scored some vital goals to help the Spitfires into the Blue Square Bet South play-offs.
He was out of contract with the Hatters this summer and has gone on Twitter to confirm he was “no longer a Luton player.”
Although Watkins rarely started for Eastleigh, he made a huge impact off the bench.
Having scored twice in a 3-0 victory at Basingstoke, he bagged the winner in a 1-0 home win over Hornchurch and earned his adopted club a crucial point in a 1-1 draw at Bath City.
His ‘super sub’ status was tarnished when he was sent off for shoving Ricky Modeste in the face during Eastleigh’s costly 3-1 home defeat to Dover Athletic in the play-off semi-final, first leg, ruling him out of the return match at Crabble where the Spitfires’ promotion dream eventually perished on penalties.
But Watkins’ plus points definitely outweighed the minuses, according to Hill.
“Adam shouldn’t have done what he did, he shouldn’t have raised his hands, but how can I slate him? If it wasn’t for his goals, we wouldn’t have made the play-offs,” said the Eastleigh boss.
“You have to be careful when you take lads on loan because sometimes they don’t have the same focus and goals as the rest of the lads, but Adam fitted in well here and worked very hard. I’ve nothing but good things to say about him, he did fantastic for us.
“His aim for Eastleigh was exactly the same as the players contracted to the club and the same goes for (fellow Luton loanee) Alex Lacey.”
Watkins was this week linked with a move to Dunstable Town, who are heading for the Evo-Stik Southern One Central after going unbeaten throughout the whole of the Molten Spartan South Midlands Premier Division campaign.
But Hill suspects the midfielder will aim higher than Dunstable – and maybe even higher than Eastleigh.
“Adam has played in the Conference Premier and has been on loan at Kidderminster and I’m sure he’ll want to exercise his options to play at that level,” said the Spitfires boss.
“I could say a step down is a step forward in the long run but, let’s be honest, Adam’s showing a bit of ambition by wanting to play at the highest level.
“He’s away on his holidays now, but I’ve had a conversation with him and he’s made me aware he’s available. He and his agent know my views.
“But I’ve got a list of players I want to bring to the club and some will have to be careful they don’t miss the boat.”
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