Malky Mackay defends behaviour of Newcastle United man Mike Williamson when leaving Watford (From Watford Observer)

Malky Mackay defends behaviour of Newcastle United man Mike Williamson when leaving Watford

5:50pm Friday 26th February 2010 in

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Mike Williamson is hoping for a good reception from the Vicarage Road crowd when he returns tomorrow for the first time since his controversial departure in the summer.

Williamson handed in a written transfer request in a bid to force through a move from Watford to Portsmouth at the end of August and, when that was rejected, he refused to play against Swansea City.

The 26-year-old eventually completed his switch to Pompey for an initial £2m but after failing to make a single appearance, he moved to Championship-leaders Newcastle United in January.

Hornets manager Malky Mackay publicly criticised the defender for his behaviour in the summer but insists he holds no grudge against the former Wycombe Wanderers man.

"At that time Mike felt that was what he had to do," Mackay said.

"I always felt the deal was going to go through in the days before the transfer window closed and I told him that at the time. I told him 'play the game on the Saturday, I do think this transfer will go through and Portsmouth will get to the figure which we think is acceptable for you'.

"Mike was caught up in that a little bit and got agitated and felt it could slip away from him because it is life-changing going from Watford to Portsmouth for him, his family and his life.

"Anybody in here put in that situation, where someone from another company, whatever job you do, comes in and offers you ridiculous money to go, you don't think twice about it.

"A Premier League club comes in for a player and it is easy for supporters to say don't sell him but then you have a different player altogether. It happened a couple of years ago with Marlon King."

Williamson started his career at Torquay United and moved to Southampton in 2001 for £100,000. The centre back did not feature for the Saints though, and ended up at Wycombe, where his displays in League Two earned him a move to Watford last January for around £150,000.

Speaking to the Evening Chronicle, Williamson said: "I'll be looking forward to going back. Hopefully I will get a good reception but, as I say, the vital thing is getting three points for my new club."

He continued: "I owe Watford a lot. They gave me the chance to make the next step into the Championship and prove that I'm comfortable playing at this level. I'll always be grateful for that.

"I had a great time there and I've got a lot of close friends there that I still speak to.

"I wish them all the best but this is the one day when I'll put that to one side to go into battle."