Former Watford forward Gavin Massey believes the club's young players do not have the same opportunities compared to previous seasons following the Pozzos' takeover this summer.

Massey joined the Hornets at the age of nine and grew up minutes away from Vicarage Road Stadium - he would often be seen walking home after games whilst still a second-year scholar.

The 19-year-old was wanted by Liverpool prior to signing his professional contract but found first team opportunities hard to come by in the last couple of seasons.

And those chances seemed even less likely following the club's takeover this summer, and the ten new signings which have followed Last week Massey left Watford on a free transfer to join Colchester United, where he enjoyed two brief loan spells.

Speaking to the East Anglian Daily Times, Massey said: "It was hard to leave, especially as I was saying my goodbyes to a couple of the lads who I had been with at Watford since the age of nine.

"I grew up with some of them, went to school with them, and I only lived around the corner from the stadium (Vicarage Road ).

"So it was a wrench to leave. But sometimes you have to make these sort of decisions, and it had not worked out the way I had wanted at Watford.

"The club has undergone massive changes recently, and there isn’t really the same opportunities for the younger players.

"The category status for the Academy has gone down to Category Three, which is one below Colchester.

"Maybe they will be relying more on their connections with Udinese and Granada CF."

Massey made nine substitute appearances for Watford following his debut on the final game of the 2009/10 season.

The youngster, who can play out wide or as a striker, also spent time on loan at Yeovil Town; playing 17 times and scoring three goals.