Josh Staunton (Page 3)

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Captain Josh Staunton admitted his Yeovil Town team-mates had only themselves to blame after a 2-1 home defeat to Barnet on Tuesday night.

The central defender described the two the Glovers gifted to striker Nicke Kabamba as “sloppy” and admitted their failure to finish off a host of first half chances cost them.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins after the game, he said: “We’ve only got ourselves to blame, we need to be more clinical in their box and more ruthless and better positioning or decision making in our third and then we won’t concede two sloppy goals.

“That has been the story of the first two-and-a-half games we’ve had this season because the first half (of the opening day defeat) against Scunthorpe was a different matter.

“It is disappointing that we only have one point to show from it because you know how you are playing and we are playing some nice football and you can feel that energy from the fans.

“We have the basis of a very good team and I have to not let the results affect these young lads because we are doing the right things and hopefully when we start putting our opportunities away, we will be fine.”

With three games played, Yeovil are second-from-bottom of the National League table with just a single point with goal difference of minus two – however, Staunton is not planning on hitting the panic button just yet.

He added: “It is three games in and it would be nice to have points on board, but it’s not the end of the season. When those vital moments start going our way, I think the points will reflect our performances.

“I don’t think there is anything to worry about, it’s not the first time I have been in this situation but the signs are there but if we tighten up at the back and get a few more goals, we will be okay.“

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Captain Josh Staunton has urged his Yeovil Town team-mates to use their increasing physical presence as the National League season gets underway.

With the arrivals of strikers Malachi Linton (5’9″) and Alex Fisher (6’3″) up front and 6’4″ defensive team-mate Ben Richards-Everton who arrived at Huish Park last week, the skipper wants to ensure the Glovers make the most of their increased threat.

Yeovil Town captain Josh Staunton.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Speaking about Richards-Everton ahead of the opening game against Scunthorpe United on Saturday, Staunton said: “He’s a big lad, Ben. He’s a good talker, aggressive aerially and is what you’d expect from a centre half of his experience.

“He’s a good addition to the club which gives us a good, experienced option in an important area of the pitch.

“It gives us another option because this year we are a massive team, you look around the team and you think you we are going to be a big team.

“We have to utilise that and dominate teams aerially, especially at set pieces because we definitely did not do that enough last season.”

Last season, our defensive players managed just six goals throughout the entire season with Morgan Williams top scoring with two of them, and Staunton has targeted adding more goals to his game in the coming campaign.

His only strike came in the opener in a 2-0 win at big-spending Wrexham, the only defeat the Welsh side suffered on home soil last season.

Staunton said: “It’s important we take the responsibility (of scoring goals) as well and don’t just point the finger and say ‘they should be scoring, we’re doing this’ because we are a team.

“If someone else is chipping in with goals, it takes pressure off the strikers and they will play with more freedom and that is when good things come.

“That makes us a more dynamic and diverse teams which is harder to defend against when you have one 30-goal a season man and rely on that one person to put them in.”

With goals at a premium last season and the same issue rearing its head throughout pre-season, goals from other positions may be a necessity for Chris Hargreaves’ men.

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Josh Staunton believes Yeovil Town’s defensive solidity will provide a platform they can build on as they move closer to the start of the National League season.

The captain was once again in the heart of three central defenders alongside Max Hunt and Morgan Williams for the 2-0 home defeat to League One Plymouth Argyle at Huish Park in today’s final home pre-season friendly.

He admitted the team were disappointed to concede goals to strikers Ryan Hardie and Finn Azaz which saw the game ended as a contest by the hour mark with the visitors dominating possession for much of the game.

Speaking after the game, Staunton said: “The boys defensively looked good, we just need to get more comfortable taking the ball and keep building.

“There are times when we are showing some good patterns and playing some nice stuff, the longer we go, that will hopefully become more and more.

“Any good team tries to build from the back, we have tried to change shape and we are trying to be as solid as we can without suffocating ourselves going forwards, so it’s all about finding a balance.

“Defensively we are trying to build a platform from where we can start progressing up the pitch and playing some nicer football.”

Staunton said he believed his team-mates can learn a lot from watching the Pilgrims, who get their League One season underway next weekend, dominate possession.

The Glovers travel to lower league Dorchester Town and Weston-super-Mare in their final two games of pre-season.

Asked about the challenge of three matches in seven days, Staunton said: “It’s a different kind of experience, today was about being resolute and you will have periods in games where, especially away from home, you have to defend like that and accept that the other team will have a lot more possession.

“The next two games will be different and you would like to think we will be sharper, fitter and ready to have more possession. It is a different test and gives us a chance to build on that platform and work hard with the ball.

“We will learn a lot from today, you only had to look at them, they made loads of simple passes, working hard off the ball to make options for each other and hopefully we can learn from that and take it in to the games we are going to play.”

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Josh Staunton modelling the 2022-23 kit. Picture courtesy of YTFC.net.

Chris Hargreaves has confirmed that Josh Staunton will be named Captain for the 2022/23 season.

Speaking exclusively to The Gloverscast’s Ian Perkins following the draw with Taunton he said the defender/midfielder (and occasional player-manager) will lead the side this season.

It is likely that new left back Jamie Reckord will don the armband should Staunton ever miss out.

“Josh [Staunton] will be the captain, he’s a leader, a winner and a top character, but since Jamie [Reckord] has been in the building he’s been excellent.

He’s shown why he has played a lot of games, he wants to help younger players and I thought tonight he was resilient.”

“At the moment, we have a young squad, there’s a group of players that I’ve managed to keep hold of (from last season) which was vital but tonight was about minutes, staying clear of injuries and getting out of here and looking to the next game.”

Staunton has led Yeovil out a number of times already calling it an ‘honour’ when called upon last season with Luke Wilkinson and Mark Little missing at various times.

Congratulations to Josh and Jamie on their new roles.

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Midfielder Josh Staunton has signed a new contract to stay at Huish Park for a further two years.

The 26-year-old, who was caretaker manager who the club’s final game of last season at Altrincham following the exit of former caretaker boss Charlie Lee, is the first player to commit his future to the club since the arrival of new boss Chris Hargreaves.

Staunton remains the only Yeovil Town manager in history to hold a 100% win record, but returns to his more regular spot on the pitch.

Speaking to the club’s YouTube channel, he said, “I’m delighted that it’s confirmed that I’m staying here.

“I came here to start something, unfortunately we haven’t done it in the last two years, but I’m excited to continue being part of the journey.”

The Kent-born player added that he had always wanted to remain at the club describing Somerset as “a home away from home“, adding that he was now house-hunting with his girlfriend in the area.

He is among the players who have spoken to new boss Hargreaves this week and spoke positively about what he had heard, saying: “I like his drive and vision for the club and the way he wants to play football.

“It’s nice to have a fresh set of eyes because everything that has happened in the past we can leave in the past.

“I hope the fans get behind us as a team and Chris as a manager because it is a really exciting time to for the club.”

Last season saw Staunton play just seven times before picking up a knee injury which ruled him out for most of the campaign which was rocked by the loss of club captain Lee Collins.

He admitted that this was one of the toughest times of his career, saying: “There’s been some real lows, probably some of the lowest of my career but with the support of the fans I have got through them.

“I’m hoping that is all behind me, the operation was a success and it will be nice to come in to a pre-season with no worries.

“As a group of fans, we have faced some real lows and we deserve a good period together and we have the platform to do that.”

Staunton has played in a number of roles, and has been captain in the absence of Luke Wilkinson and Mark Little.

Boss Hargreaves added: “I’m delighted that Josh has committed his future to the football club.

“Josh has established himself as a real leader during his spell here and shown great quality whilst on the pitch.

“I’m looking forward to working with him and send my congratulations to both him and his family.”

From all of us here at the Gloverscast – a huge congratulations to Staunts on committing his future, we can’t wait to see you in a green and white shirt again.

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Josh Staunton has said his Yeovil Town team-mates will “give their best” for the final game of the season when they travel to Altrincham on Sunday.

The midfielder finds himself in the unusual position of leading the team as caretaker manager following the sudden departure of previous caretaker, Charlie Lee, on Friday.

Josh Staunton.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

will be assisted by club captain Luke Wilkinson and sports scientist Scott Wickens for the trip to Greater Manchester.

Speaking ahead of the game, Staunton admitted his appointment was the latest chapter in a roller-coaster campaign on and off the field, he said: “It’s the way the season has been, we’ve just got to give it our best on Sunday, there’s not really much more I can say.

“It is going to be a season to look back on and there will be some book deals ready to go – it’s just another strange turn of events which has happened this year and probably led to why we are where we are in the league.

“If you had spoken to me at the beginning of this season, I definitely didn’t see it ending this way.

“But, it’s important we go out there and show the fans we are still in it even though everything is being thrown all over the place at the moment.

“It is a chance for us to put on a show and say thanks to the supporters who have stuck by us even through some really low points this year.

“Especially away from home, the support has been excellent and they have stuck by us.”

He added that he expected to be leaning on the team’s senior professionals, including Wilkinson, defender Mark Little and strikers Reuben Reid and Adi Yussuf, for their support in the final game and added that Matt Percival, who has been coaching the club’s Under-18s side, would also be helping out.

Staunton added: “When things like this happen, it is very easy for things to get silly, so I will be asking them for their commitment for three more days and to treat it like there’s a senior manager in place.

“I am not going to suddenly become an ‘iron fist manager’ because I am still one of the players, but I will take the responsibility and I know everyone will do everything as professionally as we can, even though things don’t look that professional from the outside.”

Staunton sent his thanks to Charlie Lee whose departure was announced by a club statement at midday on Friday – just 30 minutes before Staunton was up before the media.

In the statement, the club said Lee had departed with immediate effect “his decision to not continue as part of our coaching staff” under a new manager.

He said: “Charlie is a one of a kind, we saw that when he was a player and he came back in and took the reins at a difficult time when Darren (Sarll) left and he did well.

“The boys really enjoyed playing for him and we were probably playing a more attacking style of football, he had the full backing of all the player and it is sad to see him go because he did really well.

“I feel I have to say thankyou for what he did for me personally when I was injured and getting back fit, and for every player in that dressing room who enjoyed working under him.

“Together with Jody (Brown, Lee’s temporary assistant), they have been really uplifting spirits at a difficult time for the club.

The club’s statement confirming Lee’s departure said they expected to appoint a new manager next week and Staunton admitted that he hoped the contract situation with players would be resolved quickly.

As far as we are aware, only defender Morgan Williams and now youngster Ollie Haste have contracts beyond the end of the current campaign – although chairman Scott Priestnall did suggest that the club has options on other player’s contracts.

The chairman had said that offers had been made to some out of contract players, but Staunton said that he had only had “early, early talks” with the club.

He added: “It is very difficult because until there was a manager decided because, like any other player, I don’t know if (the new manager) will like you so it’s hard to have serious talks until they are in place.

“That will now happen for the whole squad early next week once the manager is appointed and plans will start being put in place for next season.

“It is important for everyone involved in the club to start looking forward to next season, an uplifting thing, and the situation (with contract) is down to what the manager thinks.”

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Midfielder Josh Staunton appears to have undergone surgery on a hernia injury which has kept him off the pitch for the past month.

The 26-year-old has not featured since coming off as a 75th minute substitute in the 2-1 home win over Bromley having been fighting through the pain barrier with the issue affecting his groin.

However, a post on his Instagram shows him at a private hospital in Leicestershire with the comment: ‘RACE AGAINST TIME BEGINS COMEBACK.’ The post has been retweeted by the club’s official Twitter account wishing the player a “speedy recovery“.

Up until a month ago, Staunton was openly playing with the injury and, when he appeared on 3 Valleys Radio‘s ‘Football, Bloody Hell!’ show at the start of the month, he was awaiting a scan on the injury.

Josh Staunton.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Speaking then, he said the ongoing uncertainty around the future of the club and players’ contracts was troubling him.

He said: “I had a long conversation with one of the boys at the weekend who was saying to me ‘you are putting yourself at risk, you don’t know if the club want you’ because I am playing with injury.

“I’m getting through until the end of the season and someone might not want to pay for my operation at the end of the season, so I could be trying to find a new club whilst I am requiring surgery.

“All these things, even if they do not directly affect you, they take your toll.”

This week, chairman Scott Priestnall said he had made contract offers to the club’s out of contract players, see more – here.

Since the Bromley victory, Staunton has donned his training kit and been supporting caretaker manager Charlie Lee from the touchline.

Good luck to Staunts from all of us here at Gloverscast !

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Listening to Josh Staunton talk to the ‘Football, Bloody Hell’ show on 3 Valleys Radio this week was not easy.

Here we have a 26-year-old man with an injury which, in any other walk of life would have been operated on weeks ago, saying that he and his (in many cases even younger) team-mates have absolutely no idea if they have a job at the end of next month.

Any Yeovil Town fan knows all about the ‘will they? won’t they?’ situation with the takeover of the club, the apparent complete absence (at least publicly) of chairman and owner Scott Priestnall and a rudderless ship at Huish Park which has allowed manager Darren Sarll to walk away and join a rival club – and who can blame him?

Just read this that Josh told Adi Hopper at 3 Valley Radio:

Yeovil Town captain Josh Staunton.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

“We are surrounded by uncertainty now and it is disappointing when you get to this stage of the season and you don’t know if you are wanted or unwanted.

“That is not just me, that is every player that is out of contract, we would like some sort of clarity of whether we need to look elsewhere or are going to be offered something.

“One of the benefits of having a younger team, that blind loyalty is there. If we had a group of older players who were more family-orientated, I think it would be a lot more toxic around the dressing room.

“Especially at this time of year when people are worrying about their futures.”

Now the first thing to say is to praise Josh for his honesty and openness. There are few players in our squad – or indeed any squad in recent years – that clearly have the best interests of the club at heart more than Josh, so this is clearly something he has deep concerns about.

You can read more of what Josh said here or if you want to listen to the full show – try and skip the bits where Adi talks about things vibrating on his thighs (!), you can do that – here.

Now, I know that a footballers’ career is naturally more transient, but, even if you justify this situation that way, what of the other people who are employed by the club? The people looking after the stadium, running our community organisation, doing the finances, the media, all the other things that keep our club going.

Yesterday we paused and reflected on the tragic death of former captain Lee Collins and read heart-breaking tales about the demons which tormented him off-the-field.

As you will have heard Ian say on the latest podcast, we need to make sure the memory of Lee’s story stays with us as a football club – in our thoughts and our actions.

Lee’s concerns included about his future. Yet we have young people who find themselves with the same concerns and yet this seems to be happening. I ask again – how is this being allowed to happen?

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Josh Staunton has called on those involved in deciding the future of Yeovil Town to give its players clarity on their future.

The midfielder said the ongoing speculation around a potential takeover of the club is unsettling for the squad with every player except defender Morgan Williams out of contract come the end of the season.

He was talking on the ‘Football, Bloody Hell’ programme on 3 Valleys Radio – listen here – and said the players had heard nothing from owner Scott Priestnall or any of the groups bidding to buy the club.

Josh Staunton has been playing with a hernia injury in recent weeks.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Staunton has been playing through the pain barrier due to a hernia in recent weeks and admitted he is concerned he could be left looking for a new club whilst injury.

The 26-year-old said: “We are surrounded by uncertainty now and it is disappointing when you get to this stage of the season and you don’t know if you are wanted or unwanted.

“That is not just me, that is every player that is out of contract, we would like some sort of clarity of whether we need to look elsewhere or are going to be offered something.

“One of the benefits of having a younger team, that blind loyalty is there. If we had a group of older players who were more family-orientated, I think it would be a lot more toxic around the dressing room.

“Especially at this time of year when people are worrying about their futures.”

He was speaking with days after the departure of manager Darren Sarll, who joined National League rivals Woking on Monday after the club failed to discuss new terms with him with his contract up this summer.

Staunton said: “If anyone else was looking like they would be made redundant in any other job and they were offered a new job, no-one would begrudge them.

Darren Sarll, who took a job as Woking manager on Monday. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

“We are not in the position where we can take a year off and it won’t hurt our bank accounts, like Premier League footballers, we are normal people and we require jobs to live.

“The gaffer has two young kids, a wife and if someone gives you a secure contract, I would never begrudge him that security. That is what has cost Yeovil because he will be a massive loss to the club.”

He added that he was having a scan on his groin hernia this week to assess the damage and said his own team-mates had warned him about the situation he was in.

He said: “I had a long conversation with one of the boys at the weekend who was saying to me ‘you are putting yourself at risk, you don’t know if the club want you’ because I am playing with injury.

“I’m getting through until the end of the season and someone might not want to pay for my operation at the end of the season, so I could be trying to find a new club whilst I am requiring surgery.

“All these things, even if they do not directly affect you, they take your toll.”

We at the Gloverscast are sure we speak for every Yeovil Town fan when we say to Josh and the rest of the team – we want you at our club and we are sorry you are being put in this situation.

And, to those who are making these decisions, read what this young man is saying – both on his behalf and those of his team-mates – and think what your actions (or lack of them) are doing on a human level.

This is now about more than the ownership of a football club – do the decent thing and speak to these people about their futures.

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Yeovil Town midfielder Josh Staunton has said that whilst a play-off charge is unlikely (but not impossible), it was still up to the group to find the motivation to finish the season strongly.

“I think it comes down to us as a group of players, with the manager, we are not going to be allowed to sit on our laurels and just float through the end of the season.”

“We’ve had a difficult run in ourselves, where we haven’t produced result like we wanted to, even if sometimes the performances have been really good.”

“It’s now a case in pride is us as a group and finish as high up the table as we can and you never know, in this league, if you can put a run together like we did before Christmas, maybe we can make a really late challenge. But I think it comes down to pride, we have to go out there in every game with the intent to win and take club as high up the table as we can, finish the season positively and that gives us a way to carry it through to next season.”

With regards to Saturday’s game against Grimsby, who are themselves flirting with the play-offs, Staunton thinks that it could act as a catalyst for a positive run.

“Every game at this level is hard, as we’ve seen… we played well when we went up to Grimsby, we just couldn’t score.

“It was probably the start of our good run, Grimsby away (Editor Note: we went 11 unbeaten after) so I think we go into it with positive thoughts, we played well against them last time, we were just lacking goals, if we can get an early one, it’ll change the atmosphere around the place, atmosphere in the dressing room and some of that belief might come back.”

There was no question about his ongoing hernia problem which was referenced after the game on Tuesday, but the fact that Sam got him to do press duty suggests he should be fine for the game.