The constant cacophony of noise surrounding Tommy Smith and his future as a Watford or Reading player is of concern for many Watford fans. Watford accepted a bid by Sheffield United for £1.8m to take our talisman to Bramall Lane to join best buddy Darius Henderson after rejecting a ‘derisory’ offer from Reading for £800k.
There is an opinion that Tom doesn’t want to move his young family up north after re-settling in the area following his travels to Sunderland and Derby. This is an opinion I share and this of course lends itself to the theory that Reading may make a new offer to lure Tom down the M4.
Does Tom need to leave though? Watford have had a few faces go through the exit door already this summer and the wage decrease and income from transfers will have helped no end.
If the right offer comes in, as proven, it will be accepted, but I don’t think we’re in a position where we need to sell any player. Those who have gone have gone because they were not going to feature in the first xi. And of Severin who we’ve brought in, he’s come on a free and is a direct replacement for Jack Cork.
This saga will of course run, but if, as is to be believed John-Joe O’Toole is on his way to Sheffield United, we will be another few thousand pounds a week lighter and more able to keep hold of Tom. Shedding the fringe players accumulated by Aidy Boothroyd is a big task this summer and one that could act as a springboard for bringing in fresh talent and consolidating the quality that we have at the club.
