Major concerns over King's knee
9:28am Tuesday 22nd January 2008
Comments (92)MARLON KING has been told he may have to quit the game in three years due to the condition of his knee.
The 27-year-old underwent a stringent two-day medical at Craven Cottage at the weekend after Watford accepted a £5m cash offer for the 11-goal striker.
Tests and scans revealed King has a deteriorating problem in his right knee and it understood that the problem is inoperable.
In November 2006, King underwent complex surgery to repair a small tear in his meniscus but upon closer inspection, the surgeon discovered there was piece of cartilage flapping and a bit of bone had come away. The operation sidelined King for six months.
In light of the results of the medical, Fulham asked Watford to drop the asking price and renegotiate the deal on a year-by-by instalment basis. The Hornets rejected the proposal and are understood to have made it clear King has no future at Vicarage Road.
Fulham may even end their interest altogether after signing Erik Nevland yesterday (Monday), leaving King in limbo.
Indeed, Hodgson already looks to have turned his attention to Daniel Cousins, the Glasgow Rangers striker.
Your Say YourWatford Observer
Harold, says...
9:44am Tue 22 Jan 08
I know he did well off the back of his move to Watford, but Watford did just as well out of his goals and skill.
And the decision to pay him £25,000 a week was made by the club.
It just doesn't seem right at all - Watford want the money, don't want the player, want the player to take all the bolame and don't want to accept any responsibility for anything.
tring hornet, Tring says...
9:46am Tue 22 Jan 08
Hope we can get it resolved, who knows who has said what and how King left the training ground!
One hell of a soap opera!
Gold, says...
9:50am Tue 22 Jan 08
Who sanctioned King's £25,000 a week wages when the player had such a serious knee problem which would most likely have meant there was never any chance of recouping that sort of salary through a transfer fee?
Bearing in mind his high-profile knee injury, did the club carry out any tests on his knee before agreeing his pay increase?
If so, presumably their results would have been the same as Fulham's.
So either the club agreed a massive salary for a player knowing his knee might not last the length of the contract, and the player would be unlikely to be able to be sold.
Or the club's medical department has failed it big time.
Either way, we need some answers because this is turning into a right mess - and an expensive one to boot.
doug, germany says...
9:56am Tue 22 Jan 08
and on 25 k his family would be more than lucky!!!! 25k to 40 k is a big jump, but it seems 40k to 0k and no club wanting to touch him is a situation that in the space of 1 week will tear his family apart. I for one would not wish these circumstances on anyone !!!! my thoughs are with marlon and his family when he was agreat servant to wfc, lets face it we would all look to better our personal situation given half the chance,therefore give the guy a break
The Pessimist, Rickmannsworth says...
9:57am Tue 22 Jan 08
Our innevitable Premier League success in season 2010/11 will be tinged with sadness when news of Marlon's retirement breaks.
John, says...
9:57am Tue 22 Jan 08
James, says...
10:16am Tue 22 Jan 08
As it is, and as John points out, there's probably insurance in place for such 'career threatening' injuries.
Anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if this is just Fulham trying to get a few quid knocked off the asking price.
Joe Butler, Dublin says...
10:22am Tue 22 Jan 08
Hornet Nest, Lost in the ethernet says...
10:38am Tue 22 Jan 08
Beds Hornet, Biggleswade says...
10:45am Tue 22 Jan 08
Whilst he does make some naive comments at times, I think Aidy is doing a great job. The team is full of good signings, there are some good younger players coming through, we're second in the division (3 points off of top) and if it wasn't for a poor run of home results, would he be suffering some of the abuse and continual undermining that he suffers on this and similar sites. We know it's not a 100% happy ship - show me a football team or a medium sized company that is, but on most measurables, we're doing a **** sight better than the club has done for most of its 125 yr history. Keep the faith, vocally support the team and progress will continue. Keep chipping away at Aidy's credibility and undermining his decisions and the profits of doom will see their predictions come to fruition.
COME ON YOU HORNETS!!
Andrew, Watford says...
10:51am Tue 22 Jan 08
Harold wrote:Marlon did that himself when he was stupid enough to give Sky Sports News an interview about how much he wanted to leave Watford for Fulham before he had his medical.
Oh that's nice - not only do Watford do all they can to paint King as a villainous, disloyal money-grabber, it now seems they want to dump him totally if his knee injury stops the move to Fulham. I know he did well off the back of his move to Watford, but Watford did just as well out of his goals and skill. And the decision to pay him £25,000 a week was made by the club. It just doesn't seem right at all - Watford want the money, don't want the player, want the player to take all the bolame and don't want to accept any responsibility for anything.
He talked himself out of playing for Watford.
Wooter, Hemel says...
11:02am Tue 22 Jan 08
Think he should sit on the bench for a while if he does come back. And if he needs an operation, get it done now rather than next season.
chris, the vic says...
11:10am Tue 22 Jan 08
Erik, Lincoln says...
11:18am Tue 22 Jan 08
neil, says...
11:31am Tue 22 Jan 08
jonno, says...
11:54am Tue 22 Jan 08
Not sure which would give me more pleasure now... Fulham relegation or Watford promotion.
Paul, Hemel says...
11:57am Tue 22 Jan 08
N11al, Barnet says...
12:01pm Tue 22 Jan 08
munks, says...
12:08pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Big Al, says...
12:11pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Then, they try and sell him for £5m.
The buying club finds the problem during a medical, and quite understandably doesn't want to pay that price for dodgy goods.
What do Watford do? Try to blame the player and then say they don't want him back.
Who at the club is responsible for giving what must be one the most lucrative contracts in its history to a player who has a career-threatening injury?
This mess is of Watford's making - King wanting to go is all part of football.
But handing out fat contracts to injured players with no chance of a sell-on fee is utterly shambolic.
It's the sort of major error people in other walks of life lose their jobs for.
ROB, herts says...
12:18pm Tue 22 Jan 08
James, says...
12:30pm Tue 22 Jan 08
If the report was half as bad as is being suggested then it's likely that a reduced offer for the player would have been accepted.
Kacey, Watford says...
12:32pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Big Al, says...
12:34pm Tue 22 Jan 08
However, Watford have still given a huge contract to a player who obviously has a knee problem.
That just isn't good enough.
Nobby, says...
12:38pm Tue 22 Jan 08
If this was the other way around, we'd all be alughing at a club that had only a few months earlier given the injured player a new contract with huge wages.
So, in many ways, we are the ones who look stupid, not Fulham.
john, says...
12:42pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Simple Marlon stays and sees his career out with us.I'd be happy with that.I would still prefer him in our team than playing somewhere else.
Big Al, says...
12:48pm Tue 22 Jan 08
As we heard at Saturday's game, the anti-Kings chants have started already.
Also, are you happy to be paying a player £25grand a week when he might not see out the duration of his contract?
Will, Bushey says...
12:49pm Tue 22 Jan 08
The report has said King may have to quit the game in 3 years. Surely that is a worse case scenario for him and not guaranteed? Let's not panic! It affects his saleability but if he were to return to The Vic and both he and the club buried some hatchets, then he may also carry on being the pretty fine player he always has been for us.
Also, when we gave him the new contract of £25k to try and keep him here (because he's been a tremendous success) I doubt very much if a medical was initiated. Really, do players undergo medicals when they sign a new contract at their existing club?
If I were GS I'd be demanding to know if the medical experts who performed the operation in the first place have bodged his knee! What were the risks involved and the implications thereafter? Are they accountable or were Watford/Marlon told of the risks?
Lastly, you'll be glad to know, I think both Marlon and the club are at fault in their handling of this situation. For Chrissakes, stop being so quick with the rent-a-quote approach and wait until the piece of business you're dealing in has been completed before opening your mouths!
James, says...
12:56pm Tue 22 Jan 08
All in all I agree with John: everyone should just kiss and make up; the injured Marlon (so injured he's only the 4th highest scorer in the division) can get back into the team and start scoring again.
North Herts Hornet, Letchworth says...
12:57pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Big Al, says...
12:57pm Tue 22 Jan 08
We're not talking about a minor injury, or one that people weren't aware of.
In fact, many fans think we might have fared better in the Premiership had King been available more, so you could say it has already cost us once.
But if their reaction to King saying he wanted to go in the summer was to hand him the improved terms without carrying out any sort of tests on the knee, then I would say that was negligent.
And if they did do some tests and still gave him the contract, worse still.
Either way, I'd like to know.
Big Al, says...
12:58pm Tue 22 Jan 08
We're not talking about a minor injury, or one that people weren't aware of.
In fact, many fans think we might have fared better in the Premiership had King been available more, so you could say it has already cost us once.
But if their reaction to King saying he wanted to go in the summer was to hand him the improved terms without carrying out any sort of tests on the knee, then I would say that was negligent.
And if they did do some tests and still gave him the contract, worse still.
Either way, I'd like to know.
Big Al, says...
12:59pm Tue 22 Jan 08
We're not talking about a minor injury, or one that people weren't aware of.
In fact, many fans think we might have fared better in the Premiership had King been available more, so you could say it has already cost us once.
But if their reaction to King saying he wanted to go in the summer was to hand him the improved terms without carrying out any sort of tests on the knee, then I would say that was negligent.
And if they did do some tests and still gave him the contract, worse still.
Either way, I'd like to know.
Will, Bushey says...
1:04pm Tue 22 Jan 08
So we then have to assume that tests were carried out and either no serious problem was found or a problem was found but we offered the new contract any way.
Either our medical team has screwed up royally or whoever wanted to give him the big bucks (has to be Aidy) to keep him here has had it backfire horribly.
Big Al, says...
1:13pm Tue 22 Jan 08
There are three things that could have happened:
No tests were done on the knee before offering the contract (Negligent).
Tests were done but nothing was found (Major and expensive error).
Tests were done, problem found, but contract offer anyway (Negligent).
What price some poor member of the medical team gets the chop?
TrickyWatford, King's Lynn says...
1:14pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Berks 'Orn, London says...
1:15pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Berks 'Orn, London says...
1:15pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Will, Bushey says...
1:16pm Tue 22 Jan 08
In light of recent departures from the club I'd say very likely indeed!!
Big Al, says...
1:22pm Tue 22 Jan 08
I doubt it.
That would mean taking responsibility and having the buck stop at the top.
And that just don't happen at Watford these days.
Will, Bushey says...
1:22pm Tue 22 Jan 08
I hope we were/are doing this and our medical team don't think it's as serious as the Fulham people. Maybe they've got it wrong?
Big Al, says...
1:30pm Tue 22 Jan 08
This could descend into a big medical argument.
If so, then the chairman comes into the spotlight as his programme notes on Saturday have fanned the flames of discontent aimed at King, yet the transfer obviously wasn't completed when he wrote them.
All I want is someone at the club to say what happened, hold their hands up and admit they got it wrong.
Too often these days we get no answers at all, or we get the blame shovelled away from the club.
Will, Bushey says...
1:36pm Tue 22 Jan 08
We all know Aidy and GS spoke too soon, as did Marlon when speaking to Sky about his move to Fulham. Surely a lesson learned by all and sundry to keep quiet until the contracts are signed by both sides.
Sadly my boss is pestering me that I'm not doing my job properly now! I have thought about asking for a pay rise but think I may just get on with what I'm supposed to be doing ha!ha!
All the best Big Al!
COME ON YOU 'ORNS!!
The Pessimist, Rickmansworth says...
2:12pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Snorebens, 'ackney says...
2:24pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Brian White, says...
2:29pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Re:Comment posted earlier.
The player drafted No1 last year to Portland Trailblazers, Greg Oden, is on a multi million dollar contract, but is currently in physio rehab following microfracture surgery. He is expected to make a full recovery (12 months) ready for next season. Perhaps a WFC telephone call to the owner, Paul Allen, might provide an insight and while you are at it ask him if his Venture Capitalist Co. would be interested in investing a small part of his 21 Billion Dollar fortune in a small football club in England who currently can't manage their 29 million pound turnover.
WatfordKev, Watford says...
2:30pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Ironically, both 'sides' of this - WFC and King - need each other more than ever now... - King is high and dry as far as moving anywhere, and the Club will really struggle to replace him.
So, they MUST compromise and work together, it's in both parties' self interest. And ours as fans.
I will be very happy to see him banging in goals for us again.
And who's to say the prognosis from the Foolem medical is going to turn out as they have conjectured?
PS I agree about Harry the Hornet, he needs a good kick up the jacksy.
Adam Cummings, Watford says...
2:46pm Tue 22 Jan 08
All I want is someone at the club to say what happened, hold their hands up and admit they got it wrong.
I fear you could be waiting for hell to freeze over before that happens.
Darren, Canada says...
2:54pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Richard, Come On you Golden Boys says...
2:54pm Tue 22 Jan 08
The article is based on hearsay & assumptions some of which are mutually exclusive. I suggest we wait for the facts to emerge. In the meantime, I'm not sure what to think or hope for... Trying very hard to Keep the Faith!
The Pessimist, Rickmansworth says...
3:06pm Tue 22 Jan 08
mark, horsham says...
3:09pm Tue 22 Jan 08
ROB, herts says...
3:49pm Tue 22 Jan 08
yellowskiddy, bicester says...
3:58pm Tue 22 Jan 08
colin, st albans says...
4:05pm Tue 22 Jan 08
King wanted out in January, Boofers tried to talk him out of it and failed.
King said that as soon as he heard Fulham were interested there was only one thing he wanted to do.
Simpson was right, he doesn't want to wear the shirt. Unless he has no other choice of course.
Are you watching Marlon King? Was do those chants mean to you? The Rookery don't want to see him wearing the shirt.
Bomber, S Oxhey says...
4:30pm Tue 22 Jan 08
This was based on the fact that Aidy Boothroyd rescued his career when he was going nowhere.He was adored by the fans of Watford and was being paid a Quarter of a million pounds a year and yet HE let a bit of greed get to his head,sacrificing his family's security.To those people who condone his actions are not living in a true world.Why give up a contract that would have set him up for life?Many of us have spurned the chance of greater wages because of the security angle.As regards his lack of thanks to Boothroyd and the fans at the Vic it stinks.
Darren, Canada says...
4:32pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Bomber, S Oxhey says...
4:34pm Tue 22 Jan 08
jonno, says...
4:37pm Tue 22 Jan 08
colin, st albans says...
4:47pm Tue 22 Jan 08
jonno wrote:excuse me but i thought i heard 'are you watching marlon king' are you deaf?
Colin is wrong. IF marlon does put "the shirt" on again the celebrations will be deafening, the moment the ball hits the back of the net.
Andy, Riverside says...
5:03pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Mike, Oxhey says...
5:07pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Yesterday it looked a done deal with Nevland but FC Groningen are playing hardball with them!
Mike, Oxhey says...
5:09pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Has Collins John actually signed yet? I haven't heard nor can I find anything about the deal today!
hertshorn, herts says...
5:19pm Tue 22 Jan 08
67 horn, surrey says...
5:20pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Andy, Watford says...
5:52pm Tue 22 Jan 08
If push comes to shove a straight swap with CJ?
WFC2005, Hemel says...
6:01pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Kacey, watford says...
7:34pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Colin Inconsistency Watcher, Nr St Albans says...
7:47pm Tue 22 Jan 08
colin wrote:Stick to dreaming of waving around corner flags Luton boy......
King wanted out in the summer, Boofers talked hom out of it. King wanted out in January, Boofers tried to talk him out of it and failed. King said that as soon as he heard Fulham were interested there was only one thing he wanted to do. Simpson was right, he doesn't want to wear the shirt. Unless he has no other choice of course. Are you watching Marlon King? Was do those chants mean to you? The Rookery don't want to see him wearing the shirt.
So how exactly would a proven 100% Luton sc***** know what the Rookery wants?
Colin - Luton troll - 100% guaranteed.
john, says...
7:49pm Tue 22 Jan 08
loss of earningsfor the club 5 million plus terminate MK contract and claim that on insurance.
Then reemploy him on a pay as you go!!!
Mark Duffy, says...
7:50pm Tue 22 Jan 08
With this in mind, if Fulham don't want him lets have him back!
Let's not wash our hands of a man who only a couple of weeks ago was still a club idol!!
We all moan about the people who run the club, and how things get twisted and told, but buy treating Marlon by singing songs of hatred at him is so so two faced and I hope these people never get a say in the club I love.
Grow up you anti King idiots, you mr chairman and sought it Aidy especially as you are the one that say's you did'nt want him to go!
Let's look at his knee, utalise him better if neded!
Paul Mcgrath had worse and still played on and on.
Let's sit down, calm down and work it out, having King back can be the best thing to happen in Jan transfer market.
Let's support Marlon and if we do go up and Marlon nets 20 goals and Fulham go gown, stick our fingers up at Fulham and move on!
vince cyprus, iver says...
8:15pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Voice of reason, Watford says...
9:02pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Not been posting much of late m8, I know you've been a little glum with the selling of MK but what ya reckon about a possible return, good or not.
Ps was your get together any good last Sat?
Mikej, Oxhey says...
10:54pm Tue 22 Jan 08
www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=NdZ1e2fnYMo Good luck Gifton. My prediction is that Marlon will be banging in goals in five years time as well!
Essex horn, Braintree says...
11:20pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Read most of the mails and comments etc, in fact posted a mail stating that he new this might be his only chance of premiership football and that he was damaged goods, and had no confidence in the regime etc. Unfortunately the decision to go has been made, and the only way back is for a great waving and giving of olive branches or reduced wages? some may say the birch would be better used and a public flogging to ensue. All i can say is i would rather see Marlon than CJ, i have watched U-TUBE which have a selection of goals from MK 2005, on wards, yep he was a bit quicker but he still had an eye for goal where ever he is on the pitch, and that is priceless, so Hodge will only buy at a reduction, then again i heard he put in a bid for Arthur scargill because he heard he was a fantastic striker! they are after anything and everything in a desperate bid to avoid the inevitable 'R' word, so what better ploy to have MK back to stuff it up the Cottagers ( excuse the pun ) Why not try him behind the front two, why not three at the back, why not rush goalies, why don't we pull together!, heres to the Prem trust me we can do it!
'HAPPY DAYS' are here again...............
.............
mike, says...
11:35pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Essex horn, Lake Galilee says...
11:39pm Tue 22 Jan 08
johnny b, bushey says...
12:35am Wed 23 Jan 08
Adam Cummings wrote:I agree totally..
All I want is someone at the club to say what happened, hold their hands up and admit they got it wrong.
I fear you could be waiting for hell to freeze over before that happens.
Wednesday and still nothing on the watford website..
To good a player,just to discard,so all should just take it on the chin and get on with it..
Why is the club so slow in letting us know whats going on.
Put him on a bit of gardening duty for a little while,and i hope we get the fella from birmingham,cos he ain,t bad at all
colin, st albans says...
7:45am Wed 23 Jan 08
colin, st albans says...
8:35am Wed 23 Jan 08
Marlon King has rejected suggestions that he failed a medical at Fulham, insisting that "negotiations are ongoing" after a 5m move to Craven Cottage fell through last week. It is understood that two other Premier League clubs have joined the race to sign the forward. "How can I fail a medical when Fulham haven't pulled out of a deal and negotiations are ongoing," said King, who missed much of last season because of knee surgery.His business adviser, Tony Finnigan, added: "Reports that Marlon may be finished in three years are utter rubbish. He will play football comfortably until he is 35. In my opinion, Fulham have used it as part of their negotiating tactics, which they are entitled to."
the chitster, woburn says...
9:29am Wed 23 Jan 08
Andy, Croxley Green says...
9:57am Wed 23 Jan 08
the chitster wrote:from Guardian Website - Marlon King has rejected suggestions that he failed a medical at Fulham, insisting that "negotiations are ongoing" after a £5m move to Craven Cottage fell through last week. It is understood that two other Premier League clubs have joined the race to sign the forward. "How can I fail a medical when Fulham haven't pulled out of a deal and negotiations are ongoing," said King, who missed much of last season because of knee surgery.
On todays Guardian website Marlon King has rejected suggestions that he failed a medical, has anyone got the actual newspaper? if so let us all know
His business adviser, Tony Finnigan, added: "Reports that Marlon may be finished in three years are utter rubbish. He will play football comfortably until he is 35. In my opinion, Fulham have used it as part of their negotiating tactics, which they are entitled to."
JP, Oxford says...
9:57am Wed 23 Jan 08
hertshorn, herts says...
10:31am Wed 23 Jan 08
WatfordKev, Watford says...
11:21am Wed 23 Jan 08
Aidy - give the lad one of your cuddles, let's get him back in the team, you KNOW it makes sense.
Homer - when writing personal things about specific players, be very very sure of your ground. Look before you leap! Doh!
wes, says...
12:01pm Wed 23 Jan 08
if you still exist next season a 3 division gap between will surely be hard to accept!!!!
Chris D, Notts says...
12:53pm Wed 23 Jan 08
http://football.guar
dian.co.uk/News_Stor
y/0,,2245321,00.html
HB84, ricky says...
1:04pm Wed 23 Jan 08
A quality striker we might have to rotate and rest occasionally ! Yes please !
This can work in our favour. Strengthen the squad options and still have King - cant be bad!
King might sulk for a short while - but lets show him we still love him really! He only flirted with Fulham - not like he had a full blown affair !!!
As for the money he is being paid- its obvious that he could play ouit his contract and be worth the money - no worries from me. We could have paid £3m for Davenport and he gets injured in one game. Thats football life for you!
Nigeria lose the first game. SHittu could be back slightly earlier!! Bang Bang back. Its all starting to look a little rosier - especially through these rose -tinted glasses !!! :-)
Richard, Come On you Golden Boys! says...
3:28pm Wed 23 Jan 08
Richard wrote:Don't believe everything you read in the papers or websites.
hmmmmmm "King May have to give up the game in 3 years" , "Fulham may end their interest", "It's understood King is not welcome back at Vicarage Road", etc etc. The article is based on hearsay & assumptions some of which are mutually exclusive. I suggest we wait for the facts to emerge. In the meantime, I'm not sure what to think or hope for... Trying very hard to Keep the Faith!
As I said yesterday,we must wait & see what happens, but it does look like Fulham have used our Chairman's premature **** to their advantage and both we and Marlon are in a sticky situation as a result! Trying hard to keep the faith and neither a knocker nor Stalinist be! Heh Ho.
Darren, Canada says...
9:59pm Wed 23 Jan 08
Hexham Hornet, Hexham says...
10:29am Thu 24 Jan 08
Marlon King
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Jim, devon says...
9:41am Tue 22 Jan 08