Watford accept King bid
2:22pm Thursday 17th January 2008
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WATFORD have accepted a £5m bid from Fulham for Marlon King.
Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson saw his £5m cash offer for the 11-goal striker accepted this afternoon and King will have a medical at Craven Cottage before signing a lucrative three-year deal. King is likely to make his debut against Arsenal, his boyhood club, on Saturday. Collins John, who rejected a move to Watford this time last season, will join on loan with a view to making the move permanent in the summer. For the full story, see tomorrow's Watford Observer. To give your ratings on Aidy Boothroyd's signings since he became Hornets manager click here.
Your Say YourWatford
Darren, Canada says...
2:45pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Exactly. I thought their previous offer was for 5m. Perhaps it actually is 5m plus a player? But 5m was what was quoted as the latest offer on Tuesday.
spindoctor, says...
2:45pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Boothroyd said: "At this time of year there is a lot of speculation and when you have your good players and you are successful then people are going to come for your players.
"But it is quite simple - we don't need to sell. Especially to a club who we might be changing places with.
"In order for a player to move I've got to want him to go, the player has got to want to leave, the money has got to be right and there has got to be a replacement.
"None of those four criteria are being met so I don't care how many times it gets flashed across Sky Sports News or how much speculation there is, I want him to stay so he stays. That's it." So there you have it boofers wants king to stay, but do Ashton and Homer????????
"But it is quite simple - we don't need to sell. Especially to a club who we might be changing places with.
"In order for a player to move I've got to want him to go, the player has got to want to leave, the money has got to be right and there has got to be a replacement.
"None of those four criteria are being met so I don't care how many times it gets flashed across Sky Sports News or how much speculation there is, I want him to stay so he stays. That's it." So there you have it boofers wants king to stay, but do Ashton and Homer????????
Take the Money, says...
2:48pm Thu 17 Jan 08
No, the news is he has gone!
5 million for Marlon today is good business, he may still retain an exsquisite first touch but he has lost that half a yard of pace which made him so dangerous two years ago.
I say take the money!!!
5 million for Marlon today is good business, he may still retain an exsquisite first touch but he has lost that half a yard of pace which made him so dangerous two years ago.
I say take the money!!!
JohnBoy, Watford says...
2:48pm Thu 17 Jan 08
sounds like the WO are scheisse stirring again
Rob, HERTS says...
3:00pm Thu 17 Jan 08
NO THIS IS THE SOFTENNING UP PROCESS TO THE FANS ,they have accepted the bid Marlon IS leaving ,ABSOLUTLEY UNBELIEVABLE but sums up our football club ,I believe the chairman should now resign NO investment for the team sells our best player and says we are ambitious AND HE CALLS HIMSELF A FAN !
it is a joke time for the fans to show what they think on Saturday to the board
Live tv and all
it is a joke time for the fans to show what they think on Saturday to the board
Live tv and all
colin, st albans says...
3:01pm Thu 17 Jan 08
More to follow means they know something is afoot.
here you go £5 Million for the player Boofers said he wouldn't sell for £60 Million plus 2 carthorses Collins John and Bocanegra.
What do you clappers say to that?
here you go £5 Million for the player Boofers said he wouldn't sell for £60 Million plus 2 carthorses Collins John and Bocanegra.
What do you clappers say to that?
realist, MK says...
3:15pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Well if he goes Colin do you think AB has ANYTHING to do with setting a price? I fhe does then he's the 1st manager in football to do so. The board will accept or decline an offer as you well know and if he goes it will be disappointing to say the least but life and WFC will go on. I will still supporet them, you will still hate them and the world will carry on turning.
Clap clap clap...at least it isn't moan, whinge and abuse.
Clap clap clap...at least it isn't moan, whinge and abuse.
Des, Hatch End says...
3:25pm Thu 17 Jan 08
We have to remember that we are,and will always be,a selling club.
It's sad when any of the players we like leave but the PL clubs have so much more money(and prestige)that all our players want to play in it.
The sad thing is Hoofroyd will probably only get 3M of this while the rest goes to the directors.
Our squad needs a big increase in quality and selling our best player isn't going to help.
What happened to the 30M from playing in the PL plus the money from the Ashley and Hameur sales?
It's sad when any of the players we like leave but the PL clubs have so much more money(and prestige)that all our players want to play in it.
The sad thing is Hoofroyd will probably only get 3M of this while the rest goes to the directors.
Our squad needs a big increase in quality and selling our best player isn't going to help.
What happened to the 30M from playing in the PL plus the money from the Ashley and Hameur sales?
67 horn, surrey says...
3:27pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Every successful team is built around a spine of key defender, key midfielder & a key striker........fact. And ours is?
chris, the vic says...
3:28pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Under a week ago Boofers said according to the BBC...players only go if i want them to and then three other conditions have to be met...they have to want to go/ the money has to be right and we have a ready replacement....At the time of the £4m bid nonre of those conditions have been met.
So it follows a week ago Marlon didnt want to go...we had no replacement and £4m wasnt enough...
Therefore, unless Aidy has changed his mind/Marlon has changed his mind/£5m is enough and we have found a replacement
there seems to be no decision to make..it is a thanks for the offer but NO...
Alternatively we shouldnt believe a word that comes from the BBC...or from Aidy or it was never Aidy's decision..
I guess we will have to wait and see and then decide...
So it follows a week ago Marlon didnt want to go...we had no replacement and £4m wasnt enough...
Therefore, unless Aidy has changed his mind/Marlon has changed his mind/£5m is enough and we have found a replacement
there seems to be no decision to make..it is a thanks for the offer but NO...
Alternatively we shouldnt believe a word that comes from the BBC...or from Aidy or it was never Aidy's decision..
I guess we will have to wait and see and then decide...
Golden, says...
3:32pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Realist - just tell me, what happened between Boothroyd's very blatant and precise statement at the weekend (which a poster has reprinted above) and now, if the deal does go through?
An extra £500,000? Apparently we didn't need the money and we loads of it according to the manager, so it can't be that.
King wants to go? Well according to Boothroyd he didn't at the weekend, so unless he's had a rapid change of mind . . .
The same could be said of Boothroyd - he didn't want him to go at the weekend, so has he changed his mind?
The fourth thing Boothroyd said was a replacement had to be in place. So it must be that - mustn't it.
Nope it's none of the above.
More spin, less truth.
An extra £500,000? Apparently we didn't need the money and we loads of it according to the manager, so it can't be that.
King wants to go? Well according to Boothroyd he didn't at the weekend, so unless he's had a rapid change of mind . . .
The same could be said of Boothroyd - he didn't want him to go at the weekend, so has he changed his mind?
The fourth thing Boothroyd said was a replacement had to be in place. So it must be that - mustn't it.
Nope it's none of the above.
More spin, less truth.
TheOutsider, says...
3:33pm Thu 17 Jan 08
I've just heard something very irritating regarding Shittu, £3m, and a move at the end of the season. To our friends at QPR. Now it COULD amount to nothing, but...
realist, MK says...
3:40pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Golden,
All I was doing was making the point that Aidy does not make the final decision to seel a player just as he can't just go an buy just anybody. He may well want King to stay but if the board want to accept the offer then that is the end of it. The same goes the other way, I dare say Idy would love to buy Ronaldo but he isn't going to be able to - the board won't let him. Yes I know that is probably an unfair comparison but let's say then that he wanted to bring back Heidar and Bolton said yes but for £6m....now we may well be able to afford that but the board would almost definitley not sanction it. Aidy said he wants £60m for King (obviuosly not realistic but pointing out that he wants to keep him) but the board probably have a figure of about 10% of that in mind that they will accept. Do you not answer to anyone when making decisions at work? I'm just being realistic. This is why in europe managers are only called head coaches -they deal with the team but have no authority as far as the financial side goes.
Anyway, let's wait and see what happens and as I say I will still be supporting them ieven if some of the more fickle out there only want to support a premier league team or a team that play sexy football all the time.
Ta ta and clap clap clap.
All I was doing was making the point that Aidy does not make the final decision to seel a player just as he can't just go an buy just anybody. He may well want King to stay but if the board want to accept the offer then that is the end of it. The same goes the other way, I dare say Idy would love to buy Ronaldo but he isn't going to be able to - the board won't let him. Yes I know that is probably an unfair comparison but let's say then that he wanted to bring back Heidar and Bolton said yes but for £6m....now we may well be able to afford that but the board would almost definitley not sanction it. Aidy said he wants £60m for King (obviuosly not realistic but pointing out that he wants to keep him) but the board probably have a figure of about 10% of that in mind that they will accept. Do you not answer to anyone when making decisions at work? I'm just being realistic. This is why in europe managers are only called head coaches -they deal with the team but have no authority as far as the financial side goes.
Anyway, let's wait and see what happens and as I say I will still be supporting them ieven if some of the more fickle out there only want to support a premier league team or a team that play sexy football all the time.
Ta ta and clap clap clap.
me, here says...
3:42pm Thu 17 Jan 08
i've just heard a rumour that earnshaw is signiong for us for 3.5 million!
And i've heard we're getting beckham on loan for two months, and i also just found out this weekend lottery numbers!!!
And i've heard we're getting beckham on loan for two months, and i also just found out this weekend lottery numbers!!!
Paul, watford says...
3:54pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Id take that, coming to end of career and wont get a better offer
pete, Guildford says...
3:55pm Thu 17 Jan 08
The website says we are only getting Collins John on loan with an agreed fee at the end of the season.
I hope this is an option and we can get rid of him. Fingers crossed he is OK but he has been very poor on the few occassions I have seen him.
I hope this is an option and we can get rid of him. Fingers crossed he is OK but he has been very poor on the few occassions I have seen him.
TheOutsider, says...
3:58pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Me: The souce is very reliable and knows a lot of the goings on at QPR. I couldn't care less whether you believe it or not. But I do.
gary, Watford says...
3:59pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Let him go because he is not worth that sort of money. Buy for half a million sell for five, nice work if you can get it. How about Hasslebank on a free or bring back Mooney ?
Golden, says...
4:03pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Realist - like you, I support Watford. I don't want them to fail, nor do I get any pleasure from watching defeats, players leave or anything else.
I have followed the team, regularly both home and away, for more than 30 years.
However, I feel as disaffected now as at any time in my supporting lifetime (and that includes some bad times, as you are well aware!).
I just cannot accept that the club see fit to say one thing, then do another - time and time again. And they expect us fans just to take it opn the chin, without question, complaint or criticism.
Do they think we are stupid? Blindly allied to the cause? Unable to put two and two together correctly?
Yes I do answer to people in my line of work - however, before I make a statement to anyone else, I first ask those that I answer to whether what I am going to say is in line with their thinking, policy, budgets, targets etc.
I think my future in my job would be pretty grim if I didn't do that and just said what I thought was best - or I did consult with my directors, and then just said something else.
Are we saying that Boothroyd made his statements about King without knowing the club had a price at which they would sell?
Or are we saying he ignored that and said it anyway?
Either way, it amounts to poor managment of the situation and a general disregard for the intelligence, emotions and passion of the supporters.
Did Boothroyd really want to sell but didn't want the fans to think ill of him, so he could then defend his position later when a deal was done?
Or did he know King wanted a transfer but decided not to tell us, so that King might look the villain of the piece when he had a 'change of heart'.
I'm all for supporting through thick and thin, but when both the manager CEO and Manager make public pronouncements about no need to sell, no need for cash, not wanting to sell etc, and then days later the sale goes through, I think I have every right to feel very bitter.
Of course, this deal may not go through - but even then, I think the way the club handles itself in such situations leave plenty to be desired.
Having said all that, let's hope for the right result on Saturday.
I have followed the team, regularly both home and away, for more than 30 years.
However, I feel as disaffected now as at any time in my supporting lifetime (and that includes some bad times, as you are well aware!).
I just cannot accept that the club see fit to say one thing, then do another - time and time again. And they expect us fans just to take it opn the chin, without question, complaint or criticism.
Do they think we are stupid? Blindly allied to the cause? Unable to put two and two together correctly?
Yes I do answer to people in my line of work - however, before I make a statement to anyone else, I first ask those that I answer to whether what I am going to say is in line with their thinking, policy, budgets, targets etc.
I think my future in my job would be pretty grim if I didn't do that and just said what I thought was best - or I did consult with my directors, and then just said something else.
Are we saying that Boothroyd made his statements about King without knowing the club had a price at which they would sell?
Or are we saying he ignored that and said it anyway?
Either way, it amounts to poor managment of the situation and a general disregard for the intelligence, emotions and passion of the supporters.
Did Boothroyd really want to sell but didn't want the fans to think ill of him, so he could then defend his position later when a deal was done?
Or did he know King wanted a transfer but decided not to tell us, so that King might look the villain of the piece when he had a 'change of heart'.
I'm all for supporting through thick and thin, but when both the manager CEO and Manager make public pronouncements about no need to sell, no need for cash, not wanting to sell etc, and then days later the sale goes through, I think I have every right to feel very bitter.
Of course, this deal may not go through - but even then, I think the way the club handles itself in such situations leave plenty to be desired.
Having said all that, let's hope for the right result on Saturday.
Voice of reason, Watford says...
4:07pm Thu 17 Jan 08
That's it. I've had enough!!
Collins John is s*** and with that deal our promotion aspirations have bitten the dust.
I am simply appalled, we should all group together and let the powers that be how we all feel......GUTTED!!
Collins John is s*** and with that deal our promotion aspirations have bitten the dust.
I am simply appalled, we should all group together and let the powers that be how we all feel......GUTTED!!
Marc, Brighton says...
4:09pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Official site. We have accepted the offer. Total lack of ambition by the club, and even I who have been optimistic now question the ambition of the club, and also the true motives of Mi Simpson and Co!! We can kiss goodbye to our chances of promotion now!!! Everyone around us is bolstering their squad, and we are bloody selling!!!! What has happened to all the money Mr Simpson!!!???
Darren, Canada says...
4:09pm Thu 17 Jan 08
So, King is going and AB gets CJ who did not want to come here last season. Financially good business for WFC, but we now lose one of our "Crown Jewels". I have always liked AB, but either his hands were ties or it's something else. Sorry, but this just leaves a bitter taste.
Andy, Garston says...
4:11pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Fulham Website - The Club can confirm that it has made an improved offer to Watford FC for the transfer of Marlon King, which has been accepted.
The player will now undergo a medical at the Clubs training ground. Further details regarding his potential move will be communicated at the appropriate time.
The player will now undergo a medical at the Clubs training ground. Further details regarding his potential move will be communicated at the appropriate time.
yellow fever, Watford says...
4:11pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Money talks, the club's being run as a business and the King deal looks good on paper, if you are a businessman as Simpson, Ashton and I fear Boothroyd are.
Unfortunately, for the fans it simply leaves a bitter taste in the mouth and casts a gloomy feel over the impending visit of Charlton in 48 hours time.
Colins John is no replacement for King, on form or not. John has made it more than clear in the past that he does not want to play for us, so is unlikely to show any passion.
Can't blame King for going to Fulham, although they're not likely to be a Premiership club next season he'll likely still find that he gets more service from a better team.
Chris Coleman left Spain yesterday - I wonder if he fancies a stay in Vicarage Road?
Unfortunately, for the fans it simply leaves a bitter taste in the mouth and casts a gloomy feel over the impending visit of Charlton in 48 hours time.
Colins John is no replacement for King, on form or not. John has made it more than clear in the past that he does not want to play for us, so is unlikely to show any passion.
Can't blame King for going to Fulham, although they're not likely to be a Premiership club next season he'll likely still find that he gets more service from a better team.
Chris Coleman left Spain yesterday - I wonder if he fancies a stay in Vicarage Road?
Mark, Riverside says...
4:16pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Collins John will join the Hornets on loan from them until the end of the season.
What an insult!
What an insult!
sam, Watford says...
4:17pm Thu 17 Jan 08
If he has gone the tewats running my club have my season ticket
Golden, says...
4:18pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Come on all you Hap-Hap-Hap-Happy Clappers.
Give me the song to ra-ra-ra along to while we digest this story.
And, blind followers of the club, let's not forget that we have to pay Forest a sell-on fee and if we want to sign Collins John, we'll have to pay Fulham. So, that £5m suddenly drops down by a large chunk.
Can someone tell me what happened between the statements made by Ashton and Boothroyd about having lots of money, not needing any more, not wanting to sell etc etc?
For months on end those of us who have criticised and questioned the club on here have been told we have no faith, the club are telling the truth, get behind Aidy and Co.
Can someone tell me, in the light of this charade, why us moaners are wrong and the clapping seals are right?
Give me the song to ra-ra-ra along to while we digest this story.
And, blind followers of the club, let's not forget that we have to pay Forest a sell-on fee and if we want to sign Collins John, we'll have to pay Fulham. So, that £5m suddenly drops down by a large chunk.
Can someone tell me what happened between the statements made by Ashton and Boothroyd about having lots of money, not needing any more, not wanting to sell etc etc?
For months on end those of us who have criticised and questioned the club on here have been told we have no faith, the club are telling the truth, get behind Aidy and Co.
Can someone tell me, in the light of this charade, why us moaners are wrong and the clapping seals are right?
Andy, Oxhey says...
4:23pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Look it all will all turn out ok in the end. Marlon goes, allowing Ellington to become an automatic choice and hence justifying his fee. The club gain both a fee (i bet the improved offer is about timing of the cash and sell on fees as well as loan players) and sess the benchmark salary earner leave, and hence a saving on the wage bill. Loan players contracts are not on the balance sheet as 2/3 year contracts at £xx,000 a week are not a potential liability to be recorded. King has not really contributed a lot in the last few home games and you wonder if his heart is still in it at Watford. As for Chris Coleman he resigned when Keegan rang to offer him a job at Newcastle.
realist, MK says...
4:24pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Shame but life goes on. If he has had his head turned then he'll not want to play for us anymore. The board took the money, simple as that.
It isn't the 1st time the "crown jewels" have been sold and won't be the last. We are a selling club like 75% of the football league are. In the past we never wanted to lose the likes of Blissett, Barnes, Callaghan, Falco, Coton, Miller, Young and dozens before. It happens. Deal with it and support the club or stay away. Your choice. Simple. I will still go though.
It isn't the 1st time the "crown jewels" have been sold and won't be the last. We are a selling club like 75% of the football league are. In the past we never wanted to lose the likes of Blissett, Barnes, Callaghan, Falco, Coton, Miller, Young and dozens before. It happens. Deal with it and support the club or stay away. Your choice. Simple. I will still go though.
James, Watford says...
4:27pm Thu 17 Jan 08
What a F***ing disgrace! Considering he wasn't gonna be sold at all costs and then we get a player who didn't want to join us in the first place and as done absolutely nothing since he's been on loan to Leicester. The board need to sort it out!!
gary, Watford says...
4:28pm Thu 17 Jan 08
It has happened, get over it. Would rather win at Wembley than boring automatic promotion. Henderson & Ellington will no ,longer feel like second choice and will do the bizz on Saturday. Do agree with the Colins John comments, he did not want us and we most certainly dont want him.
Smullens, Hayes says...
4:28pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Boothroyd is a disgrace . He says all the right words and and does a u turn. He seems to have lost the changing room and the fans and now he gets a hopeless player in the form of John who couldn't even hack it at Leicester. Boothroy should go now.
ROB, herts says...
4:28pm Thu 17 Jan 08
5million BUT have to pay sell on to Forest ,sign a player who does not want to play for us and then have to pay to sign him anyway .we are a laughing stock its just lies lies and more lies are we just going to sit quiet and take this ,Ahley young last Jan now Marlon this Jan it is unbelievable ,the chairman now has his money back please go now you cannot call yourself a fan it is an INSULT
dan, northampton says...
4:29pm Thu 17 Jan 08
unfortunately this is all too predictable and is a damning example of the effect increased player power has on the game. marlon's head has been turned by the lure of the premier league and even more money. as soon as a player expresses a desire to move on there is precious little point in keeping him, it is simply a matter of holding out for a decent fee and allowing him to move on.
i agree with the feelings of anger and disappointment on the back of boothroyd's statement a few days ago saying he would not be going but it would have been naive to take that as read. the club's propaganda machine has been in overdrive in recent years, desperate to portray the club in the best possible light, even if that meant alienating supporters.
in some ways, the most galling aspect of the deal is the arrival of collins john, who made it abundently clear last season he didn't want to play for us in the premier league. now, all of a sudden, he is willing to come and play for us in the championship. i dread to think how much he is being paid in order to change his mind.
for marlon to score 11 goals with the complete lack of service he has received all year is a decent achievement and he is well worth the £5m. if john scores more than five between now and may i will be (pleasantly) surprised.
it may well be seen by some as a lack of ambition by boothroyd and the the board but it could be argued that they had little alternative, and their hand was forced by marlon announcing he wanted to leave.
either way, the pressure is now on. the next two weeks will be pivotal to boothroyd's continued reign at vicarage road. buy well, and he will be forgiven, buy badly (or not at all) and he can say goodbye.
i agree with the feelings of anger and disappointment on the back of boothroyd's statement a few days ago saying he would not be going but it would have been naive to take that as read. the club's propaganda machine has been in overdrive in recent years, desperate to portray the club in the best possible light, even if that meant alienating supporters.
in some ways, the most galling aspect of the deal is the arrival of collins john, who made it abundently clear last season he didn't want to play for us in the premier league. now, all of a sudden, he is willing to come and play for us in the championship. i dread to think how much he is being paid in order to change his mind.
for marlon to score 11 goals with the complete lack of service he has received all year is a decent achievement and he is well worth the £5m. if john scores more than five between now and may i will be (pleasantly) surprised.
it may well be seen by some as a lack of ambition by boothroyd and the the board but it could be argued that they had little alternative, and their hand was forced by marlon announcing he wanted to leave.
either way, the pressure is now on. the next two weeks will be pivotal to boothroyd's continued reign at vicarage road. buy well, and he will be forgiven, buy badly (or not at all) and he can say goodbye.
Golden, says...
4:30pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Realist - none of what you say is wrong and I admire your dedication.
However, surely even you must find it hard to understand and annoying to be told so definitively by two senior club officials that there will be no sale, only for the sale to happen a matter of days later?
Enough time hasn't passed for a quantum change of view from anyone, so you must agree that while they were saying one thing, they had a good idea something else was going to happen.
And that just ain't good enough, no matter how devoted you are.
However, surely even you must find it hard to understand and annoying to be told so definitively by two senior club officials that there will be no sale, only for the sale to happen a matter of days later?
Enough time hasn't passed for a quantum change of view from anyone, so you must agree that while they were saying one thing, they had a good idea something else was going to happen.
And that just ain't good enough, no matter how devoted you are.
David, SW says...
4:31pm Thu 17 Jan 08
May I be the first to thank Marlon for everything he has done whilst at Watford, nobody would have predicted how good he would turn out to be when we first signed him AND welcome to Collins John. I hope you can do as well as Marlon did. I am not happy though.
chris, the vic says...
4:31pm Thu 17 Jan 08
So now we know you cannot believe a word that we are told.
Ashton said we have no need and Boothroyd categorically stated the four conditions but no doubt he met that with his vascillation.
As usual except when Elton was around with GT we have been sold down the river...GS will tell us its for the well being of the club and when he rebuilds the East Stand we can call it the SIMPSON stand...it may of course like the ground be near to empty...For sure we are not run by John Madjeski and Steve Coppell...I hope Royal fans know how lucky they are.
In meantime I hope the season tickets are cheap next year as I guess I will still support the golden boys but words like frustrated..disappoi
nted...economic with the truth etc all flash through my mind as i dwell on our ambitious board & management as does a phrase overpaid....but what sticks in my throat the most are the clappers (decent folk and great supporters) who were more trusting of our leaders
Ashton said we have no need and Boothroyd categorically stated the four conditions but no doubt he met that with his vascillation.
As usual except when Elton was around with GT we have been sold down the river...GS will tell us its for the well being of the club and when he rebuilds the East Stand we can call it the SIMPSON stand...it may of course like the ground be near to empty...For sure we are not run by John Madjeski and Steve Coppell...I hope Royal fans know how lucky they are.
In meantime I hope the season tickets are cheap next year as I guess I will still support the golden boys but words like frustrated..disappoi
nted...economic with the truth etc all flash through my mind as i dwell on our ambitious board & management as does a phrase overpaid....but what sticks in my throat the most are the clappers (decent folk and great supporters) who were more trusting of our leaders
Dave, Cheltenham says...
4:33pm Thu 17 Jan 08
It's official. Watford will not be promoted. Will have a nice ground though.
realist, MK says...
4:37pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Golden,
I agree with you. It's very dissapointing and I am getting more and more peeved with the board. I think Aidy has his hands tied as I have previously posted and I expect that Marlon has been approached and decided that doubling his money at his age would be lovely - wouldn't we all. Don't like it all but it happens at almost every club and we just have to accept that we will never ever hold onto our best players for long. We just have to enjoy them while they are about. Sad fact of football.
Still, in 5 years time we will be moaning about the same thing with another player that we can't do without...probably some kid in the academy now or at a lower division club. Endless cycle.
Clap on!
I agree with you. It's very dissapointing and I am getting more and more peeved with the board. I think Aidy has his hands tied as I have previously posted and I expect that Marlon has been approached and decided that doubling his money at his age would be lovely - wouldn't we all. Don't like it all but it happens at almost every club and we just have to accept that we will never ever hold onto our best players for long. We just have to enjoy them while they are about. Sad fact of football.
Still, in 5 years time we will be moaning about the same thing with another player that we can't do without...probably some kid in the academy now or at a lower division club. Endless cycle.
Clap on!
stuart, rushden says...
4:39pm Thu 17 Jan 08
sack the board this is a disgrace and about time the two board memebers and manager were told.gow simpson
Arthur, says...
4:39pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Just a message to all those who call the Watford Observer (and Kevin Affleck in particular) all sorts of names for running speculative stories.
I seem to recall they were the gutter press, sh!t stirrers, Affleck should be sacked etc etc.
Of course, the manager and chief executive, who stated publicly that King would not be sold, that we didn't want to sell, that we didn't need any money etc etc, will not be subjected to similar vitriole from the people who attacked this newspaper and its staff.
Some people should be ashamed of themselves for the way they always assume the WO is in the wrong.
I seem to recall they were the gutter press, sh!t stirrers, Affleck should be sacked etc etc.
Of course, the manager and chief executive, who stated publicly that King would not be sold, that we didn't want to sell, that we didn't need any money etc etc, will not be subjected to similar vitriole from the people who attacked this newspaper and its staff.
Some people should be ashamed of themselves for the way they always assume the WO is in the wrong.
chris, hemel says...
4:39pm Thu 17 Jan 08
MK wanted out, his recent performances showed this. Take the money, move on and lets see who else is brought in.
There's still two weeks left for this transfer window madness.
We need a left back, a central midfielder, and a centre back.
C'mon AB lets see who you can bring in,that is unless GS has grabbed the cash.
There's still two weeks left for this transfer window madness.
We need a left back, a central midfielder, and a centre back.
C'mon AB lets see who you can bring in,that is unless GS has grabbed the cash.
Andy Head, Oxhey says...
4:41pm Thu 17 Jan 08
I think the comparison with Reading is interesting - How many good players have they sold (or expect to see gone by 31st Jan) in the last 2 years - Is it 4 or 6? I note Gunnarsen might be available as a Mahon replacement? On curret form Watford were not going to be promoted with or without King. The big problem with bringing in Colin John is of course the admission that Hoskins, Kabba, Priskin are not up to the job - perhaps we just have to hope that this signing is a return to the luck Boothroyd had with King and Henderson.
Keith, watford says...
4:41pm Thu 17 Jan 08
WHAT A JOKE.
WFC fans need to realise we are being lied to constantly. We dont need the money, we are not a selling club etc. How do you think the board and Boothroyd get their nice pay rises? The worst part is we are getting Collins John, he is useless. We sell MK for 5M, a pre-arranged price of say 3M for CJ and we end up with a rubbish player and 2M? Worth it? Dont be stupid! I suggest if MK has gone by sat we all BOO CJ and AB when he comes out. Then turn our backs on him for 2 minutes before backing the team. It is the only way we can put our point across. Money grabbing G*ts. I would understand if he wanted to go to Villa for 9M like Ashley.
WFC fans need to realise we are being lied to constantly. We dont need the money, we are not a selling club etc. How do you think the board and Boothroyd get their nice pay rises? The worst part is we are getting Collins John, he is useless. We sell MK for 5M, a pre-arranged price of say 3M for CJ and we end up with a rubbish player and 2M? Worth it? Dont be stupid! I suggest if MK has gone by sat we all BOO CJ and AB when he comes out. Then turn our backs on him for 2 minutes before backing the team. It is the only way we can put our point across. Money grabbing G*ts. I would understand if he wanted to go to Villa for 9M like Ashley.
Rob, herts says...
4:42pm Thu 17 Jan 08
sorry forgot to say
the sell on to Forest is 25% i.e 1.25MILLION !!!!!!!!!
SO WE GET 3.75MIL AND COLLINS JOHN ON LOAN
the sell on to Forest is 25% i.e 1.25MILLION !!!!!!!!!
SO WE GET 3.75MIL AND COLLINS JOHN ON LOAN
P, Brighton says...
4:43pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Collins John has got a mountain to climb before I support him. I would rather have committed players playing for us.
He is joining us because he has hit the bottom and has no other option. It, like Boothroyds tactics, is a f**king joke!
He is joining us because he has hit the bottom and has no other option. It, like Boothroyds tactics, is a f**king joke!
Golden, says...
4:45pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Realist - again, your sentiments are right. This is modern football.
It's just I remember a time when Watford communicated more honestly and openly through more channels than they do now. There has never been such a desire to control every word said to the fans, and to try and find a positive spin (at the expense of accuracy).
If Boothroyd has got his hands tied, then perhaps you should consider speaking up about that on here more often, as I have done.
After all, if Boothroyd is a wonderful manager but is working under restraint, how much more will he take?
The question in my mind is this - did he and the others know all along how this would turn out? if so, their messages to the fans were as insulting as they were inaccurate.
I just find it a little hard to believe that the manager really didn't know more than he was letting on.
It's just I remember a time when Watford communicated more honestly and openly through more channels than they do now. There has never been such a desire to control every word said to the fans, and to try and find a positive spin (at the expense of accuracy).
If Boothroyd has got his hands tied, then perhaps you should consider speaking up about that on here more often, as I have done.
After all, if Boothroyd is a wonderful manager but is working under restraint, how much more will he take?
The question in my mind is this - did he and the others know all along how this would turn out? if so, their messages to the fans were as insulting as they were inaccurate.
I just find it a little hard to believe that the manager really didn't know more than he was letting on.
Marlon, on a beach says...
4:47pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Dont worry horns you still got Jordan Stewart, off to buy a new motor. see you all next year in the Championship
Mr B Feeter, Tower of London says...
4:49pm Thu 17 Jan 08
I'm sorry sir. The crown jewels are not for sale.
Voice of reason, Watford says...
4:49pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Aidy has said he is not happy with the departure of Marlon, strong possibility that Aidy will leave as well? Wouldn't surprise me although that will be good news for some of you posters (COLIN)
MikeS, says...
4:50pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Sky Sports News reporter has just said Marlon wanted to leave and would've gone in the summer anyway. No point in keeping him if he doesn't want to be here. We've sold him for 10 times what we paid, obviously excluding any sell on clause, so in my mind it's a good price.
neil, says...
4:51pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Boothroyd knew King would go in January all along, werent you wondering why we bought NE and never played him? Because if we waited till now we would have been held to ransom, now we already have the replacement in place, so its the smart thing to do. King could have done better for himself though he'll be back in the championship in 5 months time.
Collins John though? Whats the point of that? He didnt want us so we dont want him. NE was top scored in the championship he's a good player, give him a run till the end of the season, see how we go.
Last point - forget the Premiership, take a look at Derby and their points total compared to ours last season and that shows AB is a decent manager but we will NEVER be able to compete in that league Marlon King or no Marlon King
Collins John though? Whats the point of that? He didnt want us so we dont want him. NE was top scored in the championship he's a good player, give him a run till the end of the season, see how we go.
Last point - forget the Premiership, take a look at Derby and their points total compared to ours last season and that shows AB is a decent manager but we will NEVER be able to compete in that league Marlon King or no Marlon King
Ben, Watford says...
4:51pm Thu 17 Jan 08
5 mill isn't bad business!! why would marlon go to a team that are gonna get relegated though? to be honest it will give Ellington or priskin an actual run in the team and we might see some goals from either of them!!! why collins john? hes awful and turned us down last year, he obviously really wants to play for us doesn't he!!! do';t be a mug Aidy, take the money btu don't take collins john!!!
Dr Watford, Milton Keynes says...
4:51pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Unbelieveable. I am one of the so-called Happy Clappers that Colin refers to but this is now beyond a joke. Collins John has not set the world alight at Leicester so why does AB insist on signing him.
Why don't we go the full hog and just sign Sam Parkin for £1m from Luton's bench and complete AB's list of useless targets.
Why don't we go the full hog and just sign Sam Parkin for £1m from Luton's bench and complete AB's list of useless targets.
realist, MK says...
4:53pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Golden,
I have intimated that he doesn't have final say on a lot of things over the months but my own opinion is that he is told what to do by a board that is losing my respect. I think they were good when they 1st came but in my eyes they are changing for the worse. Again only my opinion but I reckon Aidy will be off at the end of the season because of players being sold off from under him. What manager wants to lose his best team? Especially when he is being told that they don't need to sell and then are. I just woory about what crap will come in next having watched a revolving door of bad managers over the years pre and post GT. Remember Perryman and Lee for example. I think MOST of us want the best for the club but and will support them anyway - maybe after a good moan and a few pints!
Come on you 'orns.
I have intimated that he doesn't have final say on a lot of things over the months but my own opinion is that he is told what to do by a board that is losing my respect. I think they were good when they 1st came but in my eyes they are changing for the worse. Again only my opinion but I reckon Aidy will be off at the end of the season because of players being sold off from under him. What manager wants to lose his best team? Especially when he is being told that they don't need to sell and then are. I just woory about what crap will come in next having watched a revolving door of bad managers over the years pre and post GT. Remember Perryman and Lee for example. I think MOST of us want the best for the club but and will support them anyway - maybe after a good moan and a few pints!
Come on you 'orns.
stuart, rushden says...
4:54pm Thu 17 Jan 08
sorry forgot to say
the sell on to Forest is 25% i.e 1.25MILLION !!!!!!!!!
SO WE GET 3.75MIL AND COLLINS JOHN ON LOAN
plus whatever we have agreed to pay for john so take off at least another million as thats wht leicester were quoted sack the board dont except it anymore the w/o have been saying how badly the club has been run for months stop this happy clap sh** and turn on simpson NOW
the sell on to Forest is 25% i.e 1.25MILLION !!!!!!!!!
SO WE GET 3.75MIL AND COLLINS JOHN ON LOAN
plus whatever we have agreed to pay for john so take off at least another million as thats wht leicester were quoted sack the board dont except it anymore the w/o have been saying how badly the club has been run for months stop this happy clap sh** and turn on simpson NOW
Robbo, Letchworth says...
4:55pm Thu 17 Jan 08
chris wrote:Exactly right Chris. Marlon had his head turned a while back- the rumours were rife- and frankly if someone offers you the lolly you'd do the same. He's a loss but don't forget he's got a dodgy knee.Good luck to him, lets move on.
MK wanted out, his recent performances showed this. Take the money, move on and lets see who else is brought in. There's still two weeks left for this transfer window madness. We need a left back, a central midfielder, and a centre back. C'mon AB lets see who you can bring in,that is unless GS has grabbed the cash.
Adam Cummings, Watford says...
4:56pm Thu 17 Jan 08
I've supported Watford for over 40 years and have never been as close to throwing my season ticket is I am this afternoon.
In life and in business I have always been taught to be honest and to tell the truth and here is a man (Bothroyd) earning many thousands of pounds a week more than me throwing that truth back in my face. I feel sick.
He must have known last Saturday, when he made those comments about Marlon King, what was happening. You dont suddenly wake up one morning and say Ill sell my best player for a twelfth of what I said he was worth six months ago and for his replacement I will buy a player who couldnt even get a regular game for Leicester City when he was loaned to them earlier in the season.
I have always said (to those who would listen to me) that Bothroyd in the perfect example of the Emperors new clothes in that he was all front and no substance. His obsession with facts and figures that were designed for baseball is frankly an insult to anyone who loves the soul of football. The unwatchable stuff that we saw last season and for all but a few games this and still people talk of him as a future England manager? God help England.
And dont get me started on Ashton, another non fan who appears to be bleeding the club dry.
Thank goodness the Watford Observer is prepared to stand up to these bullies and print the truth. It seems the Trust and most supporters have been blinded to what is really going on. Wake up guys and do something before we dont have a club to support.
In life and in business I have always been taught to be honest and to tell the truth and here is a man (Bothroyd) earning many thousands of pounds a week more than me throwing that truth back in my face. I feel sick.
He must have known last Saturday, when he made those comments about Marlon King, what was happening. You dont suddenly wake up one morning and say Ill sell my best player for a twelfth of what I said he was worth six months ago and for his replacement I will buy a player who couldnt even get a regular game for Leicester City when he was loaned to them earlier in the season.
I have always said (to those who would listen to me) that Bothroyd in the perfect example of the Emperors new clothes in that he was all front and no substance. His obsession with facts and figures that were designed for baseball is frankly an insult to anyone who loves the soul of football. The unwatchable stuff that we saw last season and for all but a few games this and still people talk of him as a future England manager? God help England.
And dont get me started on Ashton, another non fan who appears to be bleeding the club dry.
Thank goodness the Watford Observer is prepared to stand up to these bullies and print the truth. It seems the Trust and most supporters have been blinded to what is really going on. Wake up guys and do something before we dont have a club to support.
A Friend, Bushey says...
4:56pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Dave wrote:Nice ground - but NO Saracans!
It's official. Watford will not be promoted. Will have a nice ground though.
greg evans, s london says...
jonno, wendover says...
2:38pm Thu 17 Jan 08