Watford boss believes clubs like Newcastle United should respect smaller sides when bidding (From Watford Observer)

Watford boss believes clubs like Newcastle United should respect smaller sides when bidding

3:13pm Thursday 26th January 2012 in Sport By Frank Smith

Sean Dyche believes bigger sides should not disrespect clubs like Watford when it comes to submitting offers – especially for players they have helped develop.

Adrian Mariappa has been one of the standout defenders in the Championship this season and is also one of Watford’s academy’s greatest success stories, making 234 appearances since his debut in 2005.

Mariappa has 18 months left on his contract but that didn’t stop Newcastle United offering what the club considered to be a derisory offer, with several news outlets claiming the fee could have been as low as £750,000.

There are reports a second bid has since been submitted and subsequently rejected but we are currently trying to verify the claims.

Speaking on Tuesday, Dyche said: "If clubs at our level are helping to develop players then I think it is fair to say that big clubs with big money should respect that and go about transfers in a manner which is appropriate, rather than tickling it with an offer that is nowhere near so they can get a reaction out of us.

"Our policy is not to give valuations on players and we wait to see if people are interested and decide it accordingly. That is the way we do our business and it is up to other people to decide how to do theirs.”

Dyche continued: "Unfortunately clubs often offer sums that are nowhere near valuation of players and that is the awkward side of the game now. They do it with their own reasons in mind and not the selling club.

"We know that is going to happen and certain teams will try to affect our players but we are not in a position where we have to rush out and sell.

"When Tommy Smith and Mike Williamson were sold a few years ago, they were more sales that we had to do. Now we don't have to so that is something which is good for us but it is obvious that the price will hit a certain level that we find it hard not to sell and that is when it changes."