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Reading manager Brendan Rodgers claims Watford's Tommy Smith wants to join Championship rivals

5:22pm Wednesday 8th July 2009


Reading manager Brendan Rodgers has stated Watford talisman Tommy Smith wants to leave the Hornets to re-unite with him at the Madejski Stadium.

Rodgers has made no secret of his desire to sign the man he dubbed ‘Superman’ whilst Watford manager and is confident a deal for the 29-year-old can be done.

The Royals made a bid of around £750,000 for Smith last week but Watford chairman Jimmy Russo dismissed it instantly, describing it as “derisory” and “insulting”.

Sheffield United had a £1.8m bid accepted on the same day but it is understood Smith is not keen on moving his family.

Rodgers told the Get Reading website: "He wants to be here. He's a player that has turned down a number of moves.

"My job is to identify the players that I want and then I, in exactly the same scenario as Steve Coppell, let (director of football) Nick Hammond and the board get on with it.

"I've made it clear we've made the intent that this was the offer.

"There were a number of other offers for Tommy and then one big one came in."

Smith scored 17 goals and made 12 assists last season but he only has one year on his contract left.

Rodgers added: "He doesn't have to go anywhere unless he wants to.

"But there's been good communication. Nick Hammond's been having good communication with the chairman there [Russo] and hopefully, I'm not sure how quickly, there will be some sort of resolution on it."

Rodgers continued: "At the moment Tommy is a Watford player, he's a player who I've identified and would love to bring in.

"I know his work and he's a big player in the Championship.

"When you lose 18 goals in Kevin Doyle you want to replace someone with that efficiency and Tommy, in every aspect, is a big player."


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Your Say YourWatford

WMH, London says...
5:37pm Wed 8 Jul 09

Which is code from that Scumbag Rodgers that not only does he want our best player but he wants him on the cheap so he can help destroy us at the same time. Nice one Mr Integrity.......

You can only imagine the manipulation he is trying behind the scenes.......

If we need the money sell Loach and let Judas see that his lack of 'integrity' doesn't pay......

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bownie, watford says...
5:38pm Wed 8 Jul 09

Get lost Rodgers

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herts hornet, watford says...
5:50pm Wed 8 Jul 09

just a point ,HOW does Mr Inegrity know Tommy wants to join him ,BEEN tapping him up have we ?
Mr Russo have you been having cosy chats with them as is stated above are you happy with these statements quoted by Judas seemingly knowing what Tommy wants ,you have accepted 1.8m this is the price tell them to put up or shut up ,TS does not want to leave us i strongly believe so sort it out and keep him somehow ,lets see some real ambition ,and what fee was agreed for o'toole we still have not been told ,please respond and TOMMY DO YOU REALLY WANT TO UPSET SO MANY WFC FANS OF YOURS BY GOING THERE ,i for one could never forgive that !

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Spencer Hutchinson, Javea says...
6:14pm Wed 8 Jul 09

I had time or Tommy smith, but if thats waht he wants let reading pay the sama fee, as that accepted, With Mr Rogers, I hope he gets what he deserves in the future. To the board do not give in let reading pay the price watford wants, with smith I am sure Watford Fans will be sorry to hear that he wants to join the Trat...., Personaly I find you Mr smith a dissapointment, go your way, as watford will be topping the Div at the end of the season.

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wide old hornet, watford says...
6:22pm Wed 8 Jul 09

"When you lose 18 goals in Kevin Doyle you want to replace someone with that efficiency and Tommy, in every aspect, is a big player."

How much did they sell Doyle for...?

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enlightened one, Watford says...
6:47pm Wed 8 Jul 09

What a tosspot,why would we sell for 750k when we've been offered 1.8m.Tell him to do one,traitorous wretch.

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pfwhornets, Tring says...
6:47pm Wed 8 Jul 09

Rogers. If you want Tommy then tell Mad Jester to put his hand in his pocket. We want £3M + add ons.

Jimmy. Offer Tommy a new contract or keep him and let him go on a free next year.

DO NOT LET READING GET THEIR WAY. THE FANS WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU.

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a1derek, St Albans says...
6:59pm Wed 8 Jul 09

I repeat it is a FACT that Rodgers tapped up Tommy Smith just a matter of days after the end of the season.

Yes, Rodgers clearly has inside info on this situation, we all know that, but surely it is now time to report Reading to the football authorities given the tactics Rodgers has employed here to try and "get his man"...on the cheap!

It's disgusting the way he is behaving and it needs to be stopped.

JR, GT, VR, The Board...Report Reading for tapping up, we all know it happened!

I echo what every other Watford fan is saying, we must NOT sell Tommy to Reading come what may! End of, full stop and I hope the Russos understand that.

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Hexham Hornet, HEXHAM says...
7:06pm Wed 8 Jul 09

Surely BR knows that he is breaking the rules by speaking directly to TS. Bearing this in mind he should be made to pay for tapping him up. If we were happy to accept 1.8 million from clubs with an honest approach then we should put a 500k supplement on top for BR to pay as a penalty for tapping up. I would like to know if Malky has tried to persuade TS to extend his contract? If he refuses then we need to cash in, if he is happy to consider this then we should keep him, at least until January so that we can see where we stand and perhaps in that time Tommy may commit himself further to our cause. With him we could be heading towards a play-off spot in January and this might sway him.

If BR wants him then he has to pay up or pish off.

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JSD, Watford says...
7:19pm Wed 8 Jul 09

Rodgers, why don't you just f*** off!

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Mick Jones, Uxbridge says...
7:29pm Wed 8 Jul 09

Tommy if you go to Reading we the fans who voted you player of the season will never forgive you and Mr Russo you will have my season ticket back if he goes for less than Sheffield Utd offered...better still make him see out his contract then see if he still wants to go to Reading next season when the "one handed lover" that is Brendan Rodgers has been sacked or has left for another great love of his life, potato picking in Donegal

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cliff46, watford says...
7:30pm Wed 8 Jul 09

Rodgers really is doing his best to ensure a hostile reception when he comes to Vicarage Road.
I have always liked Tommy but if he thinks we should sell him cut price just so that he doesn't have to move his family he needs to think again.
If Sheffield have offered £1.8M and we have accepted then Reading need to at least match it. If they don't then Tommy needs to be told he is staying until someone else makes a suitable offer.
Rodgers can't be so stupid as not to realise that Reading is the last club Watford supporters want their best player going to. We have to be realistic however given our current situation and accept the going rate whichever club it comes from but it has to be the going rate which appears to be £1.8M NO cut price bargains for BR.
I don't want any of the rubbish like will get another £500K if they get promoted, --I don't want them to get promoted!!.

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herts hornet, watford says...
7:31pm Wed 8 Jul 09

tommy what have you got to say on the subject ,please tell the fans will you stay if offered an extended contract or are you set on joining Judas come clean and tell us so the fans know your standpoint ?
AND MR RUSSO NEVER HAS A MAN SO INCRIMANATED HIMSELF AS THE IDIOT RODGERS HAS DONE ABOVE BY OPENLY ADMITTING HE HAS SPOKEN TO TOMMY ,SUE THE AR*E OF THEM AND AS HIS BIG MOUTH ALSO SAID "When you lose 18 goals in Kevin Doyle you want to replace someone with that efficiency and Tommy, in every aspect, is a big player."

How much did they sell Doyle for...?

6.5MILLION !! Tommy third best player in championship says your manager MM DON'Y MAKE YOURSELF LOOK A FOOL AND ACCEPT ANYTHING UNDER 2 MILLION IF THIS DEAL HAS TO BE DONE ,but you can still have my season ticket back if it is !

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Rookery Veteren, Aston Clinton says...
7:37pm Wed 8 Jul 09

Get real guys.I can't believe I am starting to read the slagging of the one man who made sure we are still in the championship...and I mean Tommy Smith not the new Reading boss.
Watford is in Tommy's blood.He'd stay if we looked after him but it's pretty clear we cant afford to. He's 29 and probably has one good move left.Can you blame him if there's a chance to double his money? And if he can avoid the upheaval of moving kids from their schools etc then I dont blame him for wanting a move to Reading. I dont like it and I dont like the game BR looks to be playing but I wont be forgetting all that Smith has done for us as quickly as some of you.
Yes squeeze more money out of them,Rogers has shot himself in the foot saying Smith is in the same class as Doyle....he's wrong by the way Smith is better...but slagging Tommy Smith ,how quickly some people forget.

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Hexham Hornet, HEXHAM says...
7:55pm Wed 8 Jul 09

I've just read the strongly worded statement on the WFC site from the Chairman. I hope he keeps to his word about not selling Tommy below the club's valuation of him, which I think is undervaluing him but you can understand their position. I hope he also takes action on BR's statement implying that he has been speaking to the player, as this is totally out of order.

I agree with all Rookery Veteran says above and we should not be blaming TS for looking after himself and his family and should be grateful for all he has given WFC so far in his two spells at the club. Maybe he will come back as a coach in the future!!

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Newlyn, Spalding says...
8:19pm Wed 8 Jul 09

Mr Russo, I think you now have all the ammunition you need to sue the pants off Reading and Mr Rodgers. Please make all Watford fans very happy and report them to the Football League. Thank you

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jasonwatford, Watford says...
8:42pm Wed 8 Jul 09

tommy...u upset us once..dont do it again mate,,,as for big nose greedy potato picking ****,,ffffff oooofff

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Spencer Hutchinson, Javea says...
9:14pm Wed 8 Jul 09

I agree with somebody above, who said Smith has one more big move left, and you cannot blame him. But not to another club who only wants to pay a small amount of his true Val.....If by any chance Mr rogers you read this, put your money where you mouth is 300,000

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derry pigweed, northampton says...
10:36pm Wed 8 Jul 09

1.8 million is the min we should accept if Tom wants to go to Reading' but don't blame Rodgers blame ca$hton,homer and gissa job they have put W.F.C. in this position of having to sell.SO MUCH FOR HOMER'S PRUDENCE AND TO NEVER LET A VIALLI HAPPEN AGAIN!!

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michael furlong, Berkhamsted says...
8:23am Thu 9 Jul 09

I don't think you can lay any blame at TS's door, he has given everything to the club and is effectively being forced out. I want to see him remain at Watford, but can't blame him for wanting to stay local when it comes time to move on.I just hope there is a change of heart from the board and we manage to keep hold of him!

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michael furlong, Berkhamsted says...
8:23am Thu 9 Jul 09

I don't think you can lay any blame at TS's door, he has given everything to the club and is effectively being forced out. I want to see him remain at Watford, but can't blame him for wanting to stay local when it comes time to move on.I just hope there is a change of heart from the board and we manage to keep hold of him!

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worthing_hornet, worthing says...
10:06am Thu 9 Jul 09

Rookery Veteran - the problem with the position you put is that all players know that tapping up is illegal, if he hasn't reported the conversations to MM and WFC isn't he complicit in the matter as well? He should be saying - sorry BR I am a Watford player and I have not been given permission to talk to you by my club. I'm sorry TS and his agent have some explaining to do here now. If he is talking to BR then TS is being equally disrespectful to his current employers.

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WE8BR, london says...
11:24am Thu 9 Jul 09

F**K OFF RODGERS YOU ARE A C**T... AND SMITH, YOU ARENT FAR BEHIND HIM IF YOU GO TO READING!

have some decency mate

sec word: Shut-down
(mmm, we might as well...)

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BELGIAN HORNET, MASNUY-ST-JEAN says...
4:40pm Thu 9 Jul 09

£85,000,000 for Smith in cash. Plus Rodgers is to put the money on the centre circle on the first home game of the season. Then he has 15 seconds to get from the centre circle back to his Police escort

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Former Watford boss Brendan Rodgers says Tommy Smith wants to join him at Reading. Picture: Holly Cant Former Watford boss Brendan Rodgers says Tommy Smith wants to join him at Reading. Picture: Holly Cant


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