A BASILDON United teenage duo have been tipped for bright futures by boss John Sussex.

Callum Taylor and Callum Thompson have been in fine form since Sussex succeeded Neil Blackburn as the Bees’ boss last month.

Taylor has scored two goals in his last three appearances and Sussex has backed the 18-year-old to add to his tally before the end of the campaign.

“Callum scored a terrific goal in the defeat to Grays Athletic at the weekend,” said Sussex, who is back at the Ho Ho Stadium after enjoying a spell as a member of the backroom staff when Marc Harrison was in charge at the start of the season.

“His workrate is great and he is only 18, so he is someone I feel we can develop.

“He is playing as a lone striker at the moment and, although playing on his own up front has probably come too early, he is coping really well.

“Callum Thompson is also showing promise and he is another player that I think has potential.

“They are both young, but it sometimes works out better for players when they are thrown in at the deep end.

“If I felt that they were going to struggle or it would impact on their confidence then I wouldn’t play them, but I have faith in them and they are repaying me with good performances.”

Sussex will celebrate a month in charge of the Bees on Saturday.

Since his appointment, Basildon have turned in a number of impressive performances.

But Sussex has been left frustrated as his side have struggled to turn fine displays into positive results.

Basildon have claimed one win and suffered three defeats since the former Witham Town assistant manager took over the reins, but Sussex remains upbeat ahead of the final five Isthmian North fixtures of the season.

“I knew when I came in that it would be a very difficult job,” added Sussex.

“But we have a really honest bunch of players and they are a pleasure to work with.

“They are all very coachable and want to learn which, from a manager’s point of view, is great.

“We have put in some really good performances, including at Coggeshall Town and we got praise from their supporters after that game.

“Over the course of the game against Grays we were probably the better side, but we were missing that bit of quality.

“I want the players to show me why they should be here next season.”