Reece Styche has been speaking to
Bulls News this week about, among other things, the importance of
togetherness in getting through tough times and how parent clubs are
compensated when their players are away on international duty. In an
honest and heartfelt appraisal of the season to date, the Bulls striker
started by commenting on his own performances so far…
BN:
“Reece, both you and Rowan Liburd came to the club with excellent goalscoring records elsewhere. The fans saw your signing in the summer as an
exciting one, one that would be significant in seeing us reach the
play-offs at least at the end of the season. Why do you think the goals
have dried up at Hereford so far?”
RS: “I
don't think it boils down to just one reason, but the fact we have the
likes of me, Rowan, TOE and Nicho who have all scored a lot of goals in
this league and myself personally in leagues above indicates that
something isn't clicking. Personally I think as a whole we don't create
enough chances in a game so when they do come there's even more of a
reliance on us to take them and an added pressure. Individually, we
have some very good attacking players, but for some reason this season
we just haven’t been as creative. As a striker therefore it’s that much
harder to score. You’re in a catch 22 then as you start to go looking
for the ball, dropping into deeper midfield areas because you become
frustrated and in turn are not further forward where you should be when
the ball does eventually get into the box. You then start playing a game
which isn't natural. I signed for this club because I thought that we
would be in the play offs comfortably. Unfortunately for all concerned
that isn't the case despite the best efforts of the players and staff.
“I'd strongly argue that proven players
with goalscoring pedigrees that are here and have been here don't just
stop being goalscorers. It is an instinct within you. When I don't
score I take it personally but I then reflect, watch the game back and
assess a few things. Did I get myself into the box, were chances
created, if I had a chance should I have done better? I will be honest
and say I genuinely thought the likes of myself and Rowan would
comfortably score 15-20 each this season. For one reason or another that
hasn't happened. And I will hold my hands up and say there are games
where I haven't been good enough - I am my own biggest critic - but it
isn't because I don't care; unfortunately every player has bad games.”
BN: “The burden of blame you’ve had to endure personally has been unjust, I think.”
RS: “I
agree totally and I find it frustrating that I have been made the
scapegoat since around October. I think it is the same no matter what
club you are at that there are always one or two players who fans pinpoint and
take out their personal frustration on. Unfortunately at the moment
that's me. Do I agree with it? No. Does it help me play better? Probably not, but I just have to deal with it as best I can and keep
trying to do what I know I can do, and that is score. One thing I will
say is, and especially in the York game, when the fans are behind you it
has a massive effect mentally, but the minute fans start booing and singing
unpleasant songs it only has a negative effect, not only on individuals but
also on the team as a whole. As players, all we ask is that
regardless of what you think of us as people just get behind us throughout the game and don’t boo us. I do feel that, individually,
I’ve been made the scapegoat in the majority of games when things haven’t gone our way but I just have to get on with it.”
Reece then talked about the relationship between the club and the Gibraltar FA.
RS: “This is an interesting point which I want to clear up because I have seen that I’m some type of mercenary. Both myself and Hereford benefit by me
being in the Gibraltar National Team, which I am massively proud and
fortunate to be involved with. Each time I’m away on international duty
Hereford FC is generously compensated by around €4.5-5k per game. I’ve
been involved in seven internationals whilst with the club. So when I
hear I’m only here for the money I would defend myself by saying Hereford
get just as much benefit as I do being here from a financial point of
view, and in no way am I 'milking' the club. How can I be a mercenary
when in real terms I contribute, by being fortunate enough to be eligible to play for Gibraltar, towards my own wages? One thing I wouldn’t do is deliberately stay at a club and just take my money. All
parties knew the situation when I signed and that I wouldn't be
eligible for a short period, and as frustrating as that may be it is something I'm incredibly proud of being able to be involved with."
If you want to find out more about this compensation scheme, you can go to https://www.ecaeurope.com/
BN: “Is there a message you’d like to send out to fans reading this?”
RS: “Yes, I
would say as a player I know that this club has a massive history
(forgetting the fact they had to reform) and fans, understandably, want
to continue the progress that has been made over the last few years. However we are in a league that is ultra-competitive, with at
least 4/5 teams who are full time and at least half a dozen that have
bigger budgets, as hard as that may be to believe, and in my opinion
it demands more respect. We aren’t just going to waltz away with the
league like this club has done in the past few years. The step up from
the lower leagues is vast. Patience is needed, and above all, more than
anything else, togetherness. If you look back at
the teams that have been promoted from this league over the last two or three seasons they have all been backed massively financially to the tune of,
in some cases, millions: Fylde, Salford, Harrogate, Stockport and Solihull Moors to name a few, and now the likes of York and Spennymoor.
"I understand that fans are frustrated by the fact we aren't at
the minute as competitive as we should be, and they have every reason to
feel that way - we as players do too!
“I'd like to finish off by saying that I understand the fans frustration all round, whether
that be with me personally, players in general, the management or the board
etc, but the only thing we can try to do is all pull together and try and
have a strong finish to the season. Silence from within can be a negative thing because then the fans presume you don’t care, when in fact the opposite is true.”
BN: “Thanks for your time Reece, and all the best for the rest of the season, sincerely.”