Former Watford head coach joined the Watford Observer’s Deadline Day blog to answer a few questions about transfer windows, signing players and also his time at Vicarage Road and future plans.

Here’s how the discussion went:

How does transfer deadline day now compare to when you started out in managing?

“I started off in non-league, and my first few years it was low-key. You could still sign players outside the transfer window on loan too. It was a completely different dynamic. Even now with two windows it’s just as manic as ever with people chasing deals. Nothing I see and hear now surprises me.”

How involved were you in last-gasp transfers?

“I was involved in every one of them. How can a manager not be involved? I don’t get it. Just the basic economic aspect of wasting money signing players a manager doesn’t want. There’s a structure to the recruitment team, but whether there’s a fee, they’re free or loans, there has to be a positive effect on the first-team squad. That was what I always tried to do in transfer windows.”

What the most frantic deadline day you were involved in?

“I’ve done all sorts, right up to the final minute. There was a lad I tried to sign from Watford, Jerome Sinclair, when I was at Sheffield United. That deal was done, he was on a train to Sheffield. During that journey his agent and the club hit a last-minute hitch because the agent tried to change the deal. So when he got to Sheffield station we had to turn him round and send him back to Watford. I think his next three games were in the Reserves at Boreham Wood, and we played Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday and Wolves.”

Are Premier League managers quoted stupid prices for players on deadline day?

“It can go both ways. Clubs are desperate to move players on and will drop the fee, others try to cash in. If clubs think you’ve got money and are desperate, then the price will go up. Sometimes people try to hold you to ransom when the clock is ticking. Personally, I think the window should shut before the first day of the season.”

When clubs want a certain type of player at the start of a window, what is the process?

“You’ll have plates spinning all along. The key to it all are the agents, and a lot of players you want will be on other clubs’ lists too. You’ll have a list of criteria, you’ll know the market you can operate in and what you can spend. Me personally, I was always hands on with all of that. I think top managers are these days. Eddie Howe at Newcastle is involved in every deal they do. I’ve had no amount of calls from him regarding players I’ve worked with. He’s a manager who knows what he wants and I think that’s the best way.”

What is transfer deadline day like when you’re a manager?

“Eating pizza and watching Sky Sports! That was it, every time, at about 6pm we’d get pizza and we’d be sat round the TV with a phone. There’d be me, the chief exec, the club secretary and the head of recruitment. We’d just be waiting to see what happened. Sometimes you’d get to about 8pm and realise nothing was going off, and you’d pack up and go home. Other times you’d be chasing deals until beyond the time the window shuts. There’s all those weeks to do deals and the amount of deals that go through or collapse at the last minute is ridiculous. I had two deals not go through on deadline day once because we literally ran out of time.”

 

How pleased are you to see Joao Pedro settling in at Brighton?”

“Yeah, I’m delighted for him. He was a real bright spark for me at Watford. His attitude in difficult times was great and you could tell how much he cared about the club. Maybe sometimes he overdid it because he cared so much. It was a great move for him, and the club got a fantastic fee. I firmly believe he believe he can go even further.”

Have you seen Watford so far this season?

“I can totally understand and respect what Valerien Ismael has brought to Watford. He has a defined style of play in and out of possession. The club needed a strong leader, and someone to get their hands on the club and give it a shake. I saw the first game of the season against QPR and Watford were very good: they had despatched Rangers clinically by half time. I think Watford’s opening run of fixtures was favourable, and they might have felt they should have got more points than they have.”

What have you been doing, and what are your plans?

“I’ve been watching a lot of football and I’ve been going into a couple of clubs. I’ve lost none of my desire, passion and enthusiasm. I want to get back working. This is only the second pre-season I’ve not worked since 1983, which is quite a while. My career won’t be determined by 10 games at the start of last season at Middlesbrough, or by 11 games at the end of it with Watford. I wish I’d had more success at Watford but I enjoyed my time there, I met some great people and I’ve stayed in touch with them. I wish Watford all the best.”