Lewis Putman’s arrival at Hayes & Yeading may have come at the perfect time for all concerned according to boss Paul Hughes.
The striker brought in on loan from Slough Town last week marked his debut with a goal in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Kettering at Holloways Park.
Putman was seen as a rising star when he signed for United’s neighbours Wealdstone a few seasons ago, but injuries and other issues have since stunted his progress.
Hughes though feels those things are behind Putman now and he could be the man to fire them to Southern Premier safety.
“Not everyone knows the reasons why Lewis perhaps didn’t fulfil that potential,” he said. “He went through a lot as a young man outside of football, but now feels he is ready to get back on the road to that progression.
“Lewis was doing well at Slough, who then changed the way they played and that shape did not suit him, but he suits us. He is also a free-kick specialist which is something we have been missing in our team.
Hughes believes the loss came from a failure to push on from the positive football of the first half, adding: We played really well first half on Sunday, Putts took his goal well and we might have got a second.
“We said at half-time we wanted to push on, but the boys sat back and invited pressure. We need to realise we are a good side and can dominate teams, but that is part of the players’ mentality at the moment. It’s a confidence issue.”
