A Case for the Defence

Last week, Danny Shittu was released from Bolton Wanderers two years after his million pound plus move from Watford. Jay DeMerit, Watford’s club captain left the club in the summer on a free. Both of these players are now struggling to find a team.

For a year or so, the centre back pairing of Shittu and DeMerit were formidable for the Horns and gave us many memorable performances under the stewardship of Aidy Boothroyd.

Who can forget big Dan being the makeshift centre forward in the dying moments when we were scrapping for a goal?

For these two players to now be without a club as the season starts to ease into full flow is a shame. They both play with heart on sleeve and, although not the greatest of ball playing centre backs, they do not deserve to be out of the game for long.

We cannot forget either of course, that both consistently represent their countries, indeed both played at the World Cup, so their predicament is even more puzzling.

As clubs now begin to finalise their squads there will no doubt be a gap big enough (and boy it’s gotta be big) for Dan and Jay to fit into. Indeed, Jay’s recently been linked with Wolfsburg.

Lets hope that they’ll both find themselves with a team sooner rather than later.

Watford 2 Blackpool 2 22.08.09

Watford vs. Blackpool has gained, this season, a little significance following recent events and may act as a benchmark for which way our season will be heading.

The corresponding tie last season was the final nail in the coffin of the Boothroyd regime. a 4-3 defeat after being 3-1 up to visiting Blackpool saw Aidy Boothroyd shuffle ignominiously out of the club, leaving us in turmoil and in a relgation fight, placed just 21st in the Championship.

This time, Watford have replaced Aidy, who is still without a job, and Brendan Rodgers, whose Reading side crashed 3-1 at home to in-form Sheffield United, with Malky Mackay – his job relatively secure at the moment, and a firm fan favourite.

A loss would represent no footsteps forward.

The matchday absence of Jobi McAnuff did cause a few eyebrows to be raised, particularly those at our glorious local paper, but it seems the under-performing winger was simply injured. Tommy Smith started, as did loanee Tom Cleverley and the now-not injured Don Cowie.

This was a glorious Championship game of football, two teams thrusting and counter-thrusting in an absorbing affair. Every time each team broke forward a goal looked imminent, the wood work, last-ditch defending, poor finishing and fine goalkeeping all playing a part in the final scoreline being just 2-2.

Blackpool had a right to be aggrieved at the allowance of the first Hornets goal, with a suspect looking foul taking place in the build up to Danny Graham’s sublime through-ball which smudge expertly despatched. The blackpool equaliser was just reward for a fine display, but some poor defending (again) was our downfall.

Watford’s second came from Man Utd loan star Tom Cleverley who pounced on an opportunity to slot past former Man Utd goalkeeper Paul Rachubka – scoring his second goal in two games. Cleverley looks quite the player, an attacking midfielder who looks as comfortable winning the ball in a tough 50-50 as he does taking players on in a driving run.

Blackpool equalised, with again some suspect defending, and the final few minutes played out with both teams trying to find an elusive winner. A golden chance came to on-loan Henri Lansbury, who proceeded to blast over with his 4th touch of the game from about 8 yards out with the goal gaping wide in front of him.

Watford – A fair result against a tough team who were dogged in their determination to add to their three draws so far this term. We looked dangerous going forward, but the back four are going to need to put in some extra work following the two goals against Forest in mid-week and the errors today.

Tom has proved his worth to us, yet again, and no doubt Brendan will be pestering the Reading board to raise more cash to take him down the M4. But then again, would you want to join a team down the bottom when you’re playing with a team (currently) in mid-table?!

A cracking game which could have gone either way, which leaves us with plenty of positives and a few things to be worked on. If we can play like this every week, we’ll pick up more points than we’ll drop.

Blackpool – I’ve always liked Ian Holloway’s sides, and this one will be no different. His energy and enthusiasm is pulsating through Blackpool, and with a little better finishing, this season they will easily avoid the drop.

Malky Mackay set to be Watford boss

Malky Mackay appears to be on the brink of being appointed Watford manager in the next few days, if you believe everything coming out in the press.

So what will we get with Malky in charge?

Promotion – Probably not
Relegation – Hopefully not
Consolidation – Yep

And is that such a bad thing after the last 12 months we’ve had?

I’d take consolidation financially and football-wise over another horrendous scrap with relegation and the auditors thanks very much, even if it means we lose some of our better players.

Bye Bye Kabba!

With 1 goal in 29 appearances, Steve Kabba’s £500,000 transfer fee makes a mockery of Aidy Boothroyd’s transfer policy. That’s half a million quid for one goal. ONE goal. I could’ve done better than that.

Granted the former Sheffield United man may have been employed predominantly on the right in the few games he did play, but still, that’s no excuse. Smithy’s scored loads of goals this year and he’s been primarily on the right too.

As Steve scuttles out the back door unnoticed, does anyone think we’ll actually miss him? Some of you may have forgotten he was still here….

Return of the Kab

Steve Kabba, one of Aidy Boothroyd’s most, erm, ineffective signings, has been booted out of Oldham by Joe Royle and has returned to the Vic.

It’s hardly surprising after playing 8 games and scoring 0 goals in return. Lets have a look at Steve’s goalscoring record throughout his career (lovingly pilfered from Wikipedia):

Years Team App Goals
1998-2002 Crystal Palace 10 1
2000 Southend 0 0
2002 Luton 3 0
2002 Grimsby Town 13 6
2002-2007 Sheffield United 78 18
2007 – Watford 25 1
2008 Blackpool 17 2
2009 Oldham Athletic 8 0

Now, I have nothing against Steve at all, and I can’t fault his desire and enthusiasm, certainly when i’ve seen him pull on the Yellow shirt, he’s given his all.

But what staggers me is that Aidy signed him in the first place to solve our scoring problems – that’s an indictment of Boothroyd, not Kabba.

What will Steve do now?

I assume he’ll be offloaded in the summer to the likes of Brentford and return in the league cup to score a winning goal.