Hatter Cornick aims for top

HARRY Cornick witnessed the rise of Bournemouth and their star striker Callum Wilson – now he’s keen that both he and Luton Town follow in those footsteps.

The 23-year-old joined forces with Bournemouth as they were on their way to winning promotion from League One in 2012-13. A couple of years later the Cherries bagged the Championship crown and they have since established themselves in the top flight under Eddie Howe.

Wilson, 26, moved to Bournemouth from Coventry in 2014 and has since proved he can cut it at the top level. The pacy frontman also scored on his England debut in the 3-0 win against the USA at Wembley last month.

It’s something that Cornick can use as motivation on his own football journey. Upon joining Bournemouth from Non-League Christchurch, he found it tough to make an impact as the Cherries kept going higher.

It meant he became a loan ranger with spells at Welling, Aldershot, Havant & Waterlooville, Yeovil (twice), Leyton Orient and Gillingham. Then in the summer of 2017, Cornick decided it was time to make a clean break, joining League Two Luton.

It’s proved an inspired decision. He played his part as they won promotion last term and heading into the weekend they were second in League One.

So can he see any similarities with his former club, Bournemouth?

Style

“The style of play is quite similar,” he said. “We like to get it down and pass it. But the main thing is the winning formula – once you get promoted, you have to try to keep the momentum going.

“At Bournemouth, the likes of Charlie Daniels, Harry Arter, Tommy Elphick and Steve Cook stayed as they moved up. If you can keep hold of the same core, it makes it easier.

“I think it has to be the dream for us to do what they have done. They have gone from bottom to top and are flying this year.

“Callum was at Coventry in League One and I spoke to him a few times about his background. He went on loan to Non-League teams, similar to me, and learned his trade. He was quite raw when he was younger, but he’s come on leaps and bounds.

“He’s right up there in the top scorers and scored on his international debut. You have to dream big and it would be a brilliant achievement to do what he’s done, but I have to concentrate on myself.”

At present, that means continuing to adapt to a new role this season – playing up front instead of on the wing. The decision by manager Nathan Jones to move him up top appears to be paying dividends – he’d netted six goals this season, including three in his last four games, ahead of the weekend.

Confidence

“When I first signed that was what he wanted to do from day one,” said Cornick. “Last season we played 4-3-3 away from home and I finished up playing wide.

“With Danny Hylton suspended and injured this season, it forced him into it a bit quicker. It’s going well and the more minutes on the pitch and goals you score, the more your confidence rises.

“Playing up front with James Collins makes it easier. He’s big and strong, and will do the physical work, while I’m running in behind. It works well as a partnership.”

Cornick is also full of praise for boss Jones, 45, who is rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the EFL’s top young bosses.

“He’s been brilliant for me on a personal note, changing me from a winger to a striker,” he added. “He has a system and a philosophy he wants to stick to. We play an attacking style and it’s been getting us a lot of results. I’m sure he will go on to do good things.”

As for the Hatters’ chances of back-to-back promotions, Cornick is coy.

“We don’t want to look too far ahead – it’s one step at a time,” he added.