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Former Carlisle United striker Danny Graham is aiming for 20 goals this season for Watford

6:09pm Monday 6th July 2009


Watford’s new signing Danny Graham is aiming to score 20 goals this season after making the step up to the Championship.

Graham joined the Hornets on a free transfer from League One-outfit Carlisle United on Thursday, although the Hertfordshire club will have to pay compensation.

The 23-year-old had a blistering start to last season, scoring 16 times by January, but then went on a goal drought and has not scored since.

However, the former England Under-20 striker has defended his scoring record and said he is looking forward to next year.

Graham told the Times and Star: “The Newcastle and Middlesbrough games will be unbelievable for me, being a North-East lad, but there are so many big teams in this division. I’m looking forward to them all.”

He added: “Training has gone really well so far and I know a couple of lads from the past – Will Hoskins from England Under-20s, and Tommy Smith from when I was on loan at Derby. I’ve been made very welcome by everyone.

“The manager [Malky Mackay] is very good, very thorough with everything he does. He has left us in no doubt as to what he expects from all the players.

“I’m a confident person and I always set out to get 20 goals every season I play.

“I’ll be aiming to do that, but I don’t expect to walk straight into the team.

“I will work hard over pre-season and hopefully give him something to think about.”

Graham scored 40 goals in 113 appearances for Carlisle but his form dipped after the transfer window closed.

Huddersfield Town had a £250,000 bid rejected in January and Graham said that had nothing to do with his dip in form because he scored three goals after the offer was made.

There were a number of clubs interested in the former Middlesbrough man but he claims Watford “stood out”.

He said: “There was one other Championship club and several in League One who showed firm interest, but Watford stood out for me.

“This was always my plan – to move up a division. Not for one second would I have signed for any other club in League One. My aim was to play in the Championship and I’ve got to grab the opportunity with both hands.”


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Your Say YourWatford

luton hornet, luton says...
6:28pm Mon 6 Jul 09

well lets just hope this happens, although it is slightly unrealistic

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gmunroe, Watford says...
6:28pm Mon 6 Jul 09

nice to see a player devoted to Watford.
looking forward too next season even if we dont have Tommy Smith or O'Toole.
Im sure Mackay and the Russo's will bring maybe 2 more players in and we'll be set.
Come on you Orns

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Spencer Hutchinson, Javea says...
6:45pm Mon 6 Jul 09

I am sure we will all be looking forward to Danny putting in 20+ this season, thats the way, all good for Watford supporters

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djwatford, Hatch End says...
7:50pm Mon 6 Jul 09

I reckon he should be able to notch 20-shame it'll be for the reserves!

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VoR, Watford says...
7:54pm Mon 6 Jul 09

I would like to go on record by saying - I wish DG - SS and all future 25k recruits all the best of luck and welcome to the wonderful world of Watford

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Yellowfever, Borehamwood says...
7:56pm Mon 6 Jul 09

We might need a 20 goal aseason player to keep us up! Its going to be a struggle make no bones about it!

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garyporter1, london says...
8:14pm Mon 6 Jul 09

Best of luck Danny!! Make sure a few of those 20 are against Reading!!

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ceebee580, holmfirth says...
9:18pm Mon 6 Jul 09

I have not contributed to this blog before but feel its time to get this off my chest so here goes. I am a devoted Horns fan with up to now two season tickets. A home game for me is a 400mile round trip. OK the club is broke as a result of poor financial management of its affairs during the past few seasons.
But what really browns me off is the fact We have become a feeder club for Fulham and laterly Sheffield United.
I live only 20miles from Sheffield and it really is gut wrenching to see all our best players ending up there. Whilst The Directors have to balance the books I feel they would sell the tea lady if someone bid a months wages.
No I have had enough of travelling the length and breadth of the country to watch the club I love because I can no longer bear to see it being dismantled in this way.
As for the season tickets well they can go back.
Best of luck for next season I hope we get more than our fair share.

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martin62, abbots langley says...
11:06pm Mon 6 Jul 09

Good luck Danny. This is back to what Watford do best - picking talent from the lower divisions and not offering trials to "half fit" Premier league reserve players like Collins John who lack ambition and cost a fortune in wages.

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Gringo Hornet, Bushey says...
11:44pm Mon 6 Jul 09

I wish good luck to Danny too but I hear we may also need another keeper. I'm told that Spurs are to bid for Loach.

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Henry VIII, Hampton Court says...
3:56am Tue 7 Jul 09

Good luck to any player that comes to Vicarage Road. History will show that the recent previous owners and managers, through mis-management of funds and naivety in the transfer market and wage negotiations have left this club on the back foot. I do NOT think this was all done purely for profit and greed, but very possibly a case of eager people trying to do the right things but being caught wet behind the ears. All of that aside, we are where we are now and this is a time to move forward. Onwards and hopefully upwards - mid-table will do me fine this season, far better than administration and all that follows.

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bishopofwatford, bishopofwatford says...
5:50am Tue 7 Jul 09

well.. well.. well

good morning flock

how refreshing to read of a young man actually looking forward with a target and enthusiasm to play for th e horns.

i wish all our new boys the very best of luck because i fear entusiasm will not quite me enough this season

however fingers crossed...

changing the subject have u noticed the tv live games planned ??

they seem to think that
newcastle are going to be a force to be reconned with this season....hmm i think not somehow

momentum is all important in our division and a good start is vital so i for one will put my scepticism on the back burner for 10 games and pass judgement them...

well this wont get the pews beeswaxed a must say the new deaconness has a wonderful way with the chamois leather trouble is i have yet to entuse her about the horns....i know i 'll show her my wfc memorabilia that usually sends my pulse racing

keep the faith

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worthing_hornet, worthing says...
9:44am Tue 7 Jul 09

It seems looking at various reports and rumours, that his form only dipped after he was refused a move in the transfer window, a classic case of a player disatisfied at the club and not putting the effort in? This indicates 2 things to me, if he is properly motivated, he should give 110% to Watford and hopefully with the right partnership, start banging goals in again. On the other hand, if he gets p'd off and feels he isn't getting the credit he deserves, he might go absent during the game. One for MM and SD to demonstrate their man management abilities on!

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Hexham Hornet, HEXHAM says...
9:50am Tue 7 Jul 09

Worthing, you are spot on. He is young and moody, but when the mood is right he will do well. If the team spirit is good he will produce - and this is something that MM and SD are very good at.

I am now wondering when Kevin Blackwell will leave SUFC and they will take Aidy on to take his team back up to the Premier League? It looks like Aidy may be doing another season as a BBC pundit.

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dogwfc, London says...
10:41am Tue 7 Jul 09

A few years back I bumped into Jamie Moralee at the Windsor races on a Monday night after he had just signed for us. He hapily told me he was aiming for 20 goals for the season - Oh dear! Hope this guy has more luck! At least his intentions are right. sec - next-farm. Hope this guy aint the donkey!

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Prof Plum, Rickmansworth says...
11:07am Tue 7 Jul 09

He'd get in any fantasy league team - what a dreamer. Good luck to the lad all the same.

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Feff, Rickmansworth says...
11:55am Tue 7 Jul 09

I just hope Danny Graham is better than Theo Robinson whom we have inexplicably sold. Also that he is better than the other Danny - Webber - in whom we do not seem interested even though Sheff Utd have let him go and he always (or nearly always!) played well for us.

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worthing_hornet, worthing says...
12:24pm Tue 7 Jul 09

Information - I have no idea whether there is any basis at all for this. I have seen a post on Teamtalk, for Sheff U that the 1.8 mil might be for both TS and JJOT. Has anyone else heard anything about that. Also it suggests TS is having a medical on Thurs. Again, I have no idea if this is true and am not trying to stir up any trouble here.

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HOOF, England says...
1:54pm Tue 7 Jul 09

Its all starting to become rather amusing,but another rumour thats started today is that Sheff Utd are ready to make a bid for Loach.
£6m will just about do.
More likely £2m for JJOT,TS & SL.

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dmuz, Bushey says...
2:10pm Tue 7 Jul 09

Tactics for Mr Graham: 'Give the ball to Priskin'

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worthing_hornet, worthing says...
2:37pm Tue 7 Jul 09

Well apparently HOOF, I've heard on the QT that there has been a bid received to rename the ground the Kevin Blackwell Academy stadium, hope the price is good!

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T.O, Watford says...
5:05pm Tue 7 Jul 09

dmuz wrote:
Tactics for Mr Graham: 'Give the ball to Priskin'
Bell end! Give the lad a chance, you negative tw*ts.

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There was only one Scully, Watford says...
8:28pm Tue 7 Jul 09

There is a load of crap spoken on this blog by dim wit supporters who need to get a reality check. Why knock a player who has confidence in his ability to state his intentions for the forthcoming season. lets get real, this is what we need and I really believe this lad could become another Mo Johnson. Latest on TS is, his not looking to go north. Thats on good authority from someone in the know.

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bonserout, kings langley says...
8:28pm Tue 7 Jul 09

Its nice to see the true supporters out in force again.I thinks its true to say that Watford played their best football for years in the second half of the season. No-one who contributed to that good football has yet left the club so why do so many people think the same players that performed so well will have forgotten to play. I'm sure Malky will wish to pursue the same type of football.
Security word MISS -CASH

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martin62, abbots langley says...
9:08pm Tue 7 Jul 09

Interesting update from "there was only one scully" regarding TS. Its been quiet for a few days which would suggest TS is in no hurry to make a decision. If he chooses not to go to Sheff Utd i would live him to stay but am not naive enough to think WFC won't accept another offer for him. I just hope it is for another good fee and not 800k on transfer deadline day from Judas at Reading!!. It worries me that it might be Reading or nothing for Smith and Judas is gonna knick him cos we are desperate for the cash. If only we could afford to keep him......

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martin62, abbots langley says...
9:16pm Tue 7 Jul 09

PS, If TS does not want to move North then maybe Sheff Utd could move South seeing as they spend most of their time in Hertfordshire anyway!!

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JonBoy, Watford says...
3:32pm Wed 8 Jul 09

Don't quite see how he has 'defended his scoring record'

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JonBoy, Watford says...
3:32pm Wed 8 Jul 09

Don't quite see how he has 'defended his scoring record'

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Comments are closed on this article.

Graham defends his goal drough last season. Picture: Action Images Graham defends his goal drought last season. Picture: Action Images


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