Horsfield's hard work pays off with contract extension
| Published date | 20 January 2022 |
| Publication title | Chester Chronicle |
The departures of Dan Cowan to Buxton and Jamie Morgan to Nantwich since Watson's arrival give Horsfield the opportunity to cement his place in the side.
Watson, who was appointed as manager on December 23, said: "I had decisions to make on players as soon as I got here, to allow other people to come in.
"We'd had Dan Cowan at Macclesfield, I have known him for a long time and I have always seen Dan as more of a right back than a centre half.
"There was also Jamie Morgan but when I got here 'Horse' was the one closest to starting. He did really well against Telford and subsequently the other two lads have left so it is very much his shirt to lose now.
"What I didn't want to do was allow another club to come in while he wasn't on a permanent contract. So, this was the obvious thing to do.
"He deserves to know he is going to be able to settle down and play for the rest of the season and know what his future is."
Meanwhile, Watson is fully behind the club's efforts to loan out their promising young players.
Striker Lloyd Marsh-Hughes has had his loan with Runcorn Linnets extended for a further month, the 20 year old having initially joined Calum McIntyre's team in October.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old midfielder Drew Lowe has joined Glossop North End for a month having also had a loan at Runcorn Town.
Watson sees loan deals as essential for the players produced by the club's youth system under McIntyre.
The manager explained: "I am a really big believer in the loan system, whether that is in the Premier League or all the way down the pyramid.
"I think it is absolutely vital. These lads will all come on massively from playing men's football on a regular basis, even more so at these levels because it (youth football) only goes to under-19s so it is not even under- 23 football they are playing.
"So, Calum has done a fantastic job getting them to this stage but I think everyone would agree that the next progression has to be to play regularly on a Saturday afternoon and learn the other side of football.
"When they get to the age these lads are at now it is vital they are playing...
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