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John returns to Fulham
4:21pm Monday 21st April 2008
Comments (109) Have your say »
Collins John's ignominious spell at Watford has ended after the striker returned to Fulham.
The 22-year-old, signed on loan as the replacement for Marlon King, has returned to Craven Cottage for an operation to solve his troublesome back and hamstring problems.
John arrived at Vicarage Road in January unfit and only managed to make three starts and two substitute appearances.
During John's stay at Vicarage Road, Watford will have had to pay at least 50 per cent of John's reported £18,000 a week wages and paid the Cottagers a loan fee.Watford now look unlikely to make John's move permanent in the summer.
Your Say YourTimes Series
SIMMO, BUCKS says...
4:36pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Time to go Boothroyd
d
Sage Lazarus, says...
4:39pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Holly68, watford says...
4:41pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Vicar Rage, says...
4:41pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Ellington, Hoskins, John, Ashikodi etc
One of the few he got right, Henderson, he tried to dump in the summer.
Stewart, LB says...
4:43pm Mon 21 Apr 08
andywatford, watford says...
4:58pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Winston, watford says...
4:59pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Erik, Lincoln says...
5:01pm Mon 21 Apr 08
SIMMO, BUCKS says...
5:07pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Winston wrote:this is the trouble though Winston nobody believes a word he says anymore ,even up to thursday night he was still saying "collins has a role to play before season ends" The whole club is so full of spin it has now become dizzy and does not know what it is saying anymore AND if the chairman is not careful the focus will quickley turn on him certainley if what i was hearing as i left ground Saturday is anything to go by ,the anger was very very much aimed at him and Boothroyd
AB stated clearly that Collins John's had a job in the run up to promotion - a player AB stated was not match fit but was not picked for the reserves.
Sully, Watford says...
5:11pm Mon 21 Apr 08
I never seen such a shower in all my life.
oxheypaul, watford says...
5:23pm Mon 21 Apr 08
kingmarlon, rushden says...
5:25pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Sage Lazarus, says...
5:27pm Mon 21 Apr 08
1. why would anyone sensible be angry with GS? rescued club--given the mngr funds ,etc--if mngr fails then GS will look at it.
2. GET RID--really @ what cost? rubbish football but if finishing in top 6 gets you sacked with 2 yrs left on contract what next?
Sage Lazarus, says...
5:28pm Mon 21 Apr 08
kingmarlon wrote:if you ever visit planet grown up let me know!
This just proves that its time for a change. there is stillmore to this storie but if the club do not want to tell the truth to project the player more fool them. go now all three of you.
chris, hemel says...
5:28pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Having sold our top striker, we bring in a complete crock at somewhere around £10k a week. So we've wasted £150k. Thats 428 season tickets totally wasted.
If I'd done this bit of business for my company I'd be sacked, and deservedly so too.
Your response please WFC.
Hexham Hornet, Hexham says...
5:34pm Mon 21 Apr 08
JimBob, Watford says...
5:34pm Mon 21 Apr 08
chris wrote:Their response will -rightly - be that football isn't like any other business and 90% of deals in football constitute a risk. If it came off you'd not be whinging about the cost.
This is NOT a joke. Having sold our top striker, we bring in a complete crock at somewhere around £10k a week. So we've wasted £150k. Thats 428 season tickets totally wasted. If I'd done this bit of business for my company I'd be sacked, and deservedly so too. Your response please WFC.
As for the rest of you lot, sage excepted, you need to grow up quick. I'll be the first to accept that Aidy is weak in the transfer market but he's done a huge amount for this club and obviously needs a bit of help in that department. Not at all impossible in the modern world of football. But if you think sacking him is the solution I (a) laugh at you endlessly and (b) ask you to take out your Fisherprice calculator and crayons and go work out exactly how much replacing Aidy would cost. I'll give you a hint - take all the money we have, then next years parachute payment and that'll be nearly right...
Sage Lazarus, says...
5:36pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Vicar Rage wrote:I quite agree & he only got DH `cos Parkin turned us down--still it could be worse---all the morons who wanted the player leicester beat us to need to shut up as well...Colin wanted him & Fowler--and others claimed it was `cos we did not pay as good wages as L City....you really cannot have it both ways..we pay bad strikers good money!
Does Boothroyd ever watch the strikers he signs? Ellington, Hoskins, John, Ashikodi etc One of the few he got right, Henderson, he tried to dump in the summer.
Aidy knows bugga all about strikers but so do most of posters I think.
Still believe(well hope) Ashokodi (free) will be good-- If we stay down ALL but DH OUT & bring in Beckford & HH & if we can kid derby that NE will do it again for Jewell I would happily take Earnshaw in P/x even though I am not that keen on him.
Theo should progress hopefully....anyway none of the above are the answer for the prem and I know we are still going up `cos Aidy says so!!!!!!
Sage Lazarus, says...
5:39pm Mon 21 Apr 08
I am so encouraged I will overcome this nasty headcold & go for a pint!
oxheypaul, watford says...
5:39pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Sage Lazarus, says...
5:43pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Holly68 wrote:Yes, and you know you are right as the VOICES TELL YOU!
I told you first :-) I do have credibility as those off the BBC know
chris, hemel says...
5:49pm Mon 21 Apr 08
If we're talking about 90% risk then I suppose you can include the following in that calculation too.
Matt Jackson, Kabba, Ellington, Williams, Francis, Rinaldi, Ashikodi, Hoskins etc etc
Add that lot to the wasted wage bill and it probably accounts for the reason why this club is now almost £5m in debt.
It may not be like any other business, but our track record in wasting scarce resources is second to non.
If AB's got any pride left then he'll do the decent thing and move on and leave some other poor sucker to pick up the debris of all his useless signings.
Stewart, LB says...
5:51pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Richard, Come On You Golden Boys! says...
5:53pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Good riddance to him, John & Fulham deserve each other in the Championship.
If these details are correct, it is an appalling waste of money for us, and I hope Aidy has learned his lesson about these deals.
However, I'm not sure he should take all of the blame. He wouldn't have done the commercial details on his own, obviously Ashton must have been involved & the medics I hope.
Fulham have done us once again, and must be laughing all the way to the bank, after tapping up and unsettling Marlon King with offers of much gold, before pulling out of the deal that cost us £1m in a reduced fee from Wigan.
They have now managed to get us to pay part of an injured players wages plus a fee on top!
Amazing. It's somewhat different to the deal that Forest negotiated with us re Hoskins, he was straight back when unfit & quite right to.
Anyway. Forget him and let's move on.
Come on you Golden Boys!
jonty, Watford says...
6:02pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Sully wrote:I think ur forgetting about Ellington,Kabba & Priskin!!
Thank F**k for that. I never seen such a shower in all my life.
Stephen Baldwin, hemel hempstead says...
6:02pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Lifer, says...
6:08pm Mon 21 Apr 08
chris wrote:Chris, £5m in debt--how are you calculating that? are you saying that net liabilities exceed net assets/g`teed income?
JimBob, If we're talking about 90% risk then I suppose you can include the following in that calculation too. Matt Jackson, Kabba, Ellington, Williams, Francis, Rinaldi, Ashikodi, Hoskins etc etc Add that lot to the wasted wage bill and it probably accounts for the reason why this club is now almost £5m in debt. It may not be like any other business, but our track record in wasting scarce resources is second to non. If AB's got any pride left then he'll do the decent thing and move on and leave some other poor sucker to pick up the debris of all his useless signings.
I hope you do not rely on CONFUSED OF THE OBSERVER as he is an alarmist with zero financial grasp of reality.
Your statement also implies that PLANNED PLAYING BUDGETS HAVE BEEN EXCEEDED--highly unlikely I think.
Lifer, says...
6:09pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Stephen Baldwin wrote:That would be SKY then!
sack the guys that financed this move, its a joke
Mark, Watford says...
6:18pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Darren, Canada says...
7:03pm Mon 21 Apr 08
JimBob, Watford says...
7:15pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Lifer wrote:Don't confuse the poor soul! Affleck said we're in debt and he's never wrong!
chris wrote: JimBob, If we're talking about 90% risk then I suppose you can include the following in that calculation too. Matt Jackson, Kabba, Ellington, Williams, Francis, Rinaldi, Ashikodi, Hoskins etc etc Add that lot to the wasted wage bill and it probably accounts for the reason why this club is now almost £5m in debt. It may not be like any other business, but our track record in wasting scarce resources is second to non. If AB's got any pride left then he'll do the decent thing and move on and leave some other poor sucker to pick up the debris of all his useless signings.Chris, £5m in debt--how are you calculating that? are you saying that net liabilities exceed net assets/g`teed income? I hope you do not rely on CONFUSED OF THE OBSERVER as he is an alarmist with zero financial grasp of reality. Your statement also implies that PLANNED PLAYING BUDGETS HAVE BEEN EXCEEDED--highly unlikely I think.
VoR, Watford says...
7:31pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Carbs, Watford says...
7:39pm Mon 21 Apr 08
When he took all his fitness tests at the club when we signed him he failed every single one and I believe our Physio told Boothroyd he was the most unfit player he'd ever seen and to send him back to Fulham.
Good riddance!
wonderlander, wonderland says...
7:45pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Carbs wrote:That cannot be correct - the physio would have been fired.
I can\'t believe it took us this long to get rid of Collins John and I also can\'t believe that Boothroyd thought he\'d make an impact after his severe lack of fitness and poor form earlier in the season for Leicester.
When he took all his fitness tests at the club when we signed him he failed every single one and I believe our Physio told Boothroyd he was the most unfit player he\'d ever seen and to send him back to Fulham.
Good riddance!
hornetchris61, garston says...
7:52pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Stan_Smith, herts says...
8:08pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Winston, watford says...
8:16pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Stan_Smith wrote:as I said all along there is/was another agenda with AB
Just a thought id throw this into the argument- wouldnt have suprised me that the club got Collins John on board knowing full well it was a risk but it would just keep fans on board after the sale of MK and with the slight possibility of him coming good. If it didnt work out and once the MK talk has died down the club use the injury excuse and send him back .would not suprise me at all, but who knows!
chris, the vic says...
8:18pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Foster went back to Man U needed an op.
Williams takes a lot longer to come back than predicted.
Francis same applies.
Marlon injury
CJ borrowed and never fit.
Is this coincidence or yet another area of the club that needs sorting?
Stan_Smith, herts says...
8:22pm Mon 21 Apr 08
JohnBoy, Watford says...
8:24pm Mon 21 Apr 08
These problems were discovered by our own staff.
henry, oxhey says...
8:29pm Mon 21 Apr 08
I thought Ashikodi was out of contract this summer?
Consider what has has happened to Campbell, Jerome, Sharp, Nugent this season - all looked good prospects but it shows how tough it is to recruit a 20 goal man.
Darren, Canada says...
8:30pm Mon 21 Apr 08
the apprentice, watford says...
8:35pm Mon 21 Apr 08
1. We have net current liabilities of £11.1 million. This means that over the next 12 months we have £11.1 million owing more than we have owed.
2. Of this, £5.1m is a bank loan. A further £2.8m is trade creditors in excess of trade debtors - very probably amounts owed in transfer fees.
3. There is no money ringfenced for stadium development - it's been spent. And because we can no longer use the offices in at the back of the Rookery, we have to rent 11,000 sq ft of offices which I'm guessing cost in the region of £300k per annum.
4. Most of the season ticket cash will be spent before the end of the summer on our very high costs.
5. Likewise, the parachute payment of £11m will go very quickly on paying monthly overheads and paying off debt.
In short, if we don't get promoted, we are in big trouble. I don't know what plan B is, but it better be very good.
optimistic, london says...
8:38pm Mon 21 Apr 08
chris, hemel says...
8:50pm Mon 21 Apr 08
I understand your patriotism for this failing cause, as I've been a supporter of this club since 1974, a season ticket holder for almost all this time and a shareholder too.
I get no pleasure from critising the club or the manager, but frankly their actions mean its open season this year. You're both obviously in the happy clappers brigade with blind optimism for the clubs future. I bet you said the same when Vialli was appointed.
Unfortunately if you had half a brain between you both, you would realise that its cash that drives the business, and we (the club) have just wasted millions of pounds propping up a catalogue of failed crocks, who have added nothing to this club but cost. All on the Managers recommendation.
In addition, you brainwashed pair, your continual carping about the reporting of the WO and KA makes me cringe. Atleast the WO let you use this site to express your views which is more than WFC.
Anyone who thinks you'd get the truth out of WFC with Ashton's spin, Simpsons mistruths (remember the AGM with an Employees Benefit scheme that got exposed as a £1/2m payoff, rather than be shown in the Directors Emoluments)and Hoofroyds blabberings about automatic promotion et all, need to go and lie in a darkened room.
Your misguided trust is just bewildering. Get real both of you, even better get a life.
VoR, Watford says...
8:52pm Mon 21 Apr 08
It makes me feel that getting into the premiership last season hasn't done us any good, whereas it should have set us up nicely.
I'm gutted reading these posts as it really hammers home a few truths which I wasn't aware off.
On the advise of holly...I'll be the 1st down the newsagents to pick up the Obbo, I do hope there is some kind of explanations, I think we all deserve it!!
Soz sage, no offence intended, hope u have a good time Weds, just hope i'm not thinking about it at the time:-)
Stan_Smith, herts says...
8:54pm Mon 21 Apr 08
on a side note the CJ news still not on the main site yet.
Sage Lazarus, says...
9:03pm Mon 21 Apr 08
chris wrote:it is cleaer that you do not have any grasp of business planning--I have a life & a brain and a BUSINESS.
JimJob and Lifer, I understand your patriotism for this failing cause, as I've been a supporter of this club since 1974, a season ticket holder for almost all this time and a shareholder too. I get no pleasure from critising the club or the manager, but frankly their actions mean its open season this year. You're both obviously in the happy clappers brigade with blind optimism for the clubs future. I bet you said the same when Vialli was appointed. Unfortunately if you had half a brain between you both, you would realise that its cash that drives the business, and we (the club) have just wasted millions of pounds propping up a catalogue of failed crocks, who have added nothing to this club but cost. All on the Managers recommendation. In addition, you brainwashed pair, your continual carping about the reporting of the WO and KA makes me cringe. Atleast the WO let you use this site to express your views which is more than WFC. Anyone who thinks you'd get the truth out of WFC with Ashton's spin, Simpsons mistruths (remember the AGM with an Employees Benefit scheme that got exposed as a £1/2m payoff, rather than be shown in the Directors Emoluments)and Hoofroyds blabberings about automatic promotion et all, need to go and lie in a darkened room. Your misguided trust is just bewildering. Get real both of you, even better get a life.
Sage Lazarus, says...
9:04pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Sage Lazarus, says...
9:07pm Mon 21 Apr 08
This is not to do with England or any other COUNTRY--although when i read your rubbish a word like that does come to mind!
zip, colins world says...
9:14pm Mon 21 Apr 08
C'mon Boofers, spin yourself out of this one.
I'm sorry clappers but he has really been badly exposed as a total fraud and amateur this season.
I'm predicting a dour draw this saturday followed by defeat to Blackpool....and a 7th place finish.
This is resembling the Vialli fiasco more and more by the day...we could be in real trouble.
Oh sage, i think people have had enough of your arrogance and rudeness...you don't lie it when it comes your way you nonce so don't give it out.
Stan_Smith, herts says...
9:18pm Mon 21 Apr 08
rosh99, hereford says...
9:21pm Mon 21 Apr 08
hornetchris61 wrote:Evening All,
Dont forget Theo Robinson. after a season learning his trade and gaining 1st team experience at hereford, team him and DH together next season. Ainsworth on wing, Smith on the other, Williams back in midfield, passing football, then who knows!
I've been in Hereford for a couple of years now and the Watford boys here are indeed well thought of. What The Bulls fans cannot understand is how we've loaned out a couple of reasonable players yet paid a ridiculous amount of money for some muppets who can't play. We've also got an excellent player in Ainsworth that AB's seems reluctant to play.
I can't believe how bad this season's turned out.
chris, hemel says...
9:27pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Tis a pity you don't make better use of all three.
You're arrogance and rudeness show you up to be a pathetic loner with no real life. As for your business, just how are sales of the big issue this month?
Sage Lazarus, says...
9:28pm Mon 21 Apr 08
* corruption
* medical conspiracies
* anti Simpson
* anti=Ashcroft
* anti ashton
* anti everything
and pepole stating support as blind loyalty and even more bizzarely--PATRIOTIS
M!
it is all pointless--no one did anything but knock KB for being too old & a yes man & now he has left he has become the messiah.
It is all pathetic--Aidy has lost the plot big style but people like chris simply cannot make a reasoned point they bring half truths & confusion into it all by not being prepared to make a simple case.
Yes I over react as well but it is the sheer negsativity thsat gets me.
Perspective not PATRIOTISM.
An excellent chairman (who must have had enough by now) a manager who is losing it -terrible football and dreadful selling & buying BUT--still better off than 19 other clubs in this division.
Sage Lazarus, says...
9:30pm Mon 21 Apr 08
chris wrote:No idea but biggest problem I have is fitting my new merc on my drive as the old one is not collected until the weekend!
Sage, Tis a pity you don't make better use of all three. You're arrogance and rudeness show you up to be a pathetic loner with no real life. As for your business, just how are sales of the big issue this month?
GaryQE2, London says...
9:31pm Mon 21 Apr 08
It may neeed another more experienced Manager to unlock his potential and this could apply to Tamas too. We'll see,
ozzy, kingcross says...
9:41pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Sage Lazarus wrote:yeh sage an onoin boy yu be ok fiting merc on ure drive cos matchbox cars ar so small, definitoin of small== see sage an onoin boy. not wanna now ure life story, write a book
chris wrote:No idea but biggest problem I have is fitting my new merc on my drive as the old one is not collected until the weekend!
Sage, Tis a pity you don't make better use of all three. You're arrogance and rudeness show you up to be a pathetic loner with no real life. As for your business, just how are sales of the big issue this month?
Hexham Hornet, Hexham says...
9:45pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Happy Anniversary Sage. 25 years, you are only a part-timer then son. I was a child groom and have done 28 years. There are a lot of tolerant women around - luckily mine is also a Watford fan but she is as pi**ed off as we are and so it is difficult to drag her to games. Sometimes it helps to take my club and drag her by the hair but it is not pleasant seeing a grown woman kicking and screaming whilst hugging every lampost between the Roslyn Road car park and Vicarage Road. Things we do for love, eh....
ozzy, kingcross says...
9:48pm Mon 21 Apr 08
VoR, Watford says...
9:51pm Mon 21 Apr 08
U kinda making sense....just!
ozzy, kingcross says...
10:01pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Mike, Watford says...
10:27pm Mon 21 Apr 08
We all agree that things went downhill when Johnson and King left. Aidy doesn't know who to play with Hendo (because they are all crap and, yes, they are all his signings). But Aidy hasn't become a bad manager overnight. He has though been signing too many crap players - even in our promotion season he did this).
We've got some decent players in Eustace, Bromby, Sadler, Smith, Hendo, McAnuff and DeMerit, but will probably lose Shittu. We need to re-group, buy a couple of proven stikers, another midfielder and mount a challenge next season.
Let's back Aidy to get us back on track. He did it only two years ago!
paul jones, the grove says...
10:28pm Mon 21 Apr 08
scuffles between home fans in the rookery,people leaving early and massive conflict on this forum
as aidrian would like us all to believe all you have to do is shout "WHO ARE WE,WATFORD!!!" three times and like abra cadabra Watford will win the Championship!
ozzy, kingcross says...
10:35pm Mon 21 Apr 08
paul jones wrote:yeh ok dorothy, go folow the yellow brick road. yu can be onoin boy friend yu get on with him
WHAT A HAPPY SHIP W.F.C ISNT
scuffles between home fans in the rookery,people leaving early and massive conflict on this forum
as aidrian would like us all to believe all you have to do is shout "WHO ARE WE,WATFORD!!!" three times and like abra cadabra Watford will win the Championship!
Mark, Watford says...
10:54pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Mike wrote:Ofcourse we have some decent FOOTBALLERS but they don't show it or aren't allowed to like the Youth team are who can poss it well.
Hold on. Do we really want to sack Aidy? Isn't this a knee jerk reaction? Results in the second half of the season have been awful and performances for most of the season have been very poor, but we are still in a play off position (we've been in the top six all season). We all agree that things went downhill when Johnson and King left. Aidy doesn't know who to play with Hendo (because they are all crap and, yes, they are all his signings). But Aidy hasn't become a bad manager overnight. He has though been signing too many crap players - even in our promotion season he did this). We've got some decent players in Eustace, Bromby, Sadler, Smith, Hendo, McAnuff and DeMerit, but will probably lose Shittu. We need to re-group, buy a couple of proven stikers, another midfielder and mount a challenge next season. Let's back Aidy to get us back on track. He did it only two years ago!
mattymashup, letchworth says...
5:47am Tue 22 Apr 08
the second half of this season has been awful, i am embarrased to go into work on the mondays and people laughing at our club gets me down big time. we need the playoffs so bad, but even if we get there do we have the skill and sharpness up front to beat palace, stoke, bristol city or anyone else? god knows.
from the sounds of some earlier posts we need this promotion bad or the club will be in serious financial trouble, this worries me a lot as i thought we were out of the nightmare that was the itv digital collapse, seems like we could go back to square one and have to sell all our players again. i hate seeing former watford players in the premiership, if we still had these lads we could well be a top 10 premiership club. but i doubt if we can even get promotion playing our style, i say switch to 4-3-3 and attack this run in all the way, we aint got anything to lose, we have already lost face and money, our fans are at eachothers throats, and aidys jobs on the line.
can we all please try and support the team and stop with the abusive posts on here, this sites way better than the official site which doesn`t ever report anything worthwhile.
Drinker, says...
8:15am Tue 22 Apr 08
I find it annoying that the manager has deluded himself ever since promotion and is still going in the wrong direction.
If he left I would not be unhappy but financially and fairly I think we should not sack him.
I have seen the value of my original share holding (only £500 but I was at Uni at the time) collapse but I understand why and cannot believe the attacks on Graham Simpson,without whom the club would certainly have had to shut down the academy--bad enough to lose Young and Bouazza but to have done it without the c £12m would have been much worse.
When we were top Colin and some others still made nasty attacks on everything, so to get even nastier now is predictable.
I really do not recall much support for Keith Burkinshaw whilst he was here but without looking it up, were things significantly better?
I want to be able to discuss tactics(dreadful) performance ((nervous) and selection ( crazy) and maybe even signings (***********!)
without the usual suspects using it as an excuse to claim that we are run by an evil empire interested
money motivated ,when the chairman and otheres have clearly not made money in real terms.
I work in banking and am reasonably aware of the very high risks involved in trying to make money from speculative ventures such as football. If I was Simpson I would sell up rather than put up with these attacks.
Of course when he does the haters will denounce the profit he makes,even though he could make far more if he did not care who buys our club.
The manager has screwed up and having backed him against the Russos ( what choice did the chairman have really?) I bet no one is more frustrated than him.
Let us hope we can get through the playoffs,but either way let us hope for an end to the "financial meltdown " stuff.
It is highly unlikely that Simpson would take such risks,which is why he alludes to "plan B". It is frankly impossible that Lord Ashcroft and his nominee would ever sanction such a situation.
andy, oxhey says...
9:33am Tue 22 Apr 08
On Strikers - frankly it is the way they are coached, set up and told how to play as much as their ability. Gillingham fans in the office, thought Henderson was no good for Championship level - 'All he does is run and jump - no skill'. On the other hand Hoskins came with a good reputation and Kabba played a significant part in getting Sheff Utd promotion. Personally I think with different expectations Priskin and Hoskins could be a powerful force at Campionship level - but you have to set up the team to play to your forwarsds strengths. When Boothroyds teams were successful two seasons ago the strikers had great service from Ashley Young. On Ellington - I think he looks unfit and seems to have lost condition compatred to the player Wigan had. If Ellington, Kabba, Priskin and Hoskins left - Boothroyd would only replace with very fast hard runners up front - It is not the strikers that need changiong but they way they are expected to play.
I have said before - we are now in a 5 match competition - 2 matches to establish a set team and a method of play. If we get that Rythem we have a 2 leg match against teams we can beat - Bristol city, Crystal Palace and even Hull can be beaten by us over two legs - As the home match against Stoke showed a team focussed and oncentrating can stop the opposition scoring. IF we get through to the final - as WBa/Derby last year showed it will be the team on the day that takes the chances. Now is the time to set a plan and stick to it - It can happen - but distractions and dithering is the potential killer of our season not the failure to sign strikers who can do a job in the championship.
Hexham Hornet, Hexham says...
9:54am Tue 22 Apr 08
If Simpson sells and makes a huge profit then good luck to him. He has put a lot into the club, saved it from administration, taken it back up to the top flight for a season and begun the development to bring it up to date. He deserves to earn something from that. The majority of the people knocking him would not invest in the club the way he has, even if they could afford to - in fact most of them probably haven't invested like you and I have. They pay for their tickets and feel that this as big a commitment as GS has made and they demand a return. If they don't like it they should go to a different club. It's a bit like people saying how dreadful certain TV programmes are but still watch them whenever they are on instead of switching off and doing something more pleasurable.
In the next 6 weeks we will know our club's fate for next season and GS and Aidy will have to start seriously planning for it. There needs to be some trimming down of players that will never make the first team and some of the excesses in the backroom staff, whether we go up or not and also a sensible poicy about transfers in and out. If GS and Aidy do move on lets hope their replacements are in place quickly so that we do not waste the summer!! Nobody is irreplaceable and there is always somebody ready to fill in at the top, lets hope that whoever is at the top of the club is the right person and has the ability to carry on the drive forwards and upwards.
gc, says...
11:17am Tue 22 Apr 08
Gone are the days he listen to anyone. He has sacked any player or member of coaching staff who have not done it 100% his way and yet some of you lot think he is going to roll over and take orders/listen to a No.2.
If a No.2 came in and as a result we started playing football and results started picking up then you would have to say why not have the No.2 as the MANAGER!
By saying you want a No.2 means you don't trust in Aidy to make the right decisions- well that means he has to go.
There can only be one managerial team leader at a club.
Bigbanker13, London says...
11:19am Tue 22 Apr 08
Let's clear out the dross who are content to pick up an over inflated wage, for little effort and no passion, and pick players who want to play and win.
gc, says...
11:28am Tue 22 Apr 08
You tell fans if they don't like it then go to another club! Use the example of watching a Tv programme you don't like when you could just turn over.
I really wonder if you are forgetting what being a fan means?
For me being a fan is not a choice. Over 30 years of being a fan of a club and hopefully at least another 30 years more
IMO Aidy will be at Leeds next season, pledging his love for them and saying how they are going to thump us etc. I however will still be here!!! so telling me if I don't like it to go elsewhere is a complete lack of understanding of what the majority of fans feel.
Simpson is a fan and I respect that. He wants the best for WFC, I hope he can acheive it though
Vicar Rage, says...
11:36am Tue 22 Apr 08
The WO beat them by half a day - but of course, the WO always print rumour and unsubstantiated rubbish, don't they . . .
I notice the club are saying Johnw ent back because he tore a muscle last week.
If he hadn't torn a muscle, were they just going to pay him to sit in the gym then?
Lifer, says...
11:37am Tue 22 Apr 08
,andy,bigbanker & Gc(in his own style)let us hope that balance prevails.
Let us also hope that we go up and if not that Boothroyd looks in the mirror for the source of the problems .
if he stays(likely) then I expect GS/MA,etc to take a far stronger line in relation to future signings.Whilst they cannot force the mabnager to sign or play people he does not want,they can block signings that they have doubts about,given his record.
Steve W, Tewkesbury says...
11:46am Tue 22 Apr 08
Before I add my own I have to say I get very annoyed with the WO at times too. I read this story last night and there was not a mention of why Colin's was going back. I think the article has been amended since the reason was put on the offical WFC site.
Colins has gone back because he got injured. It certainly didn't say that on this iste last night. I think the WO do like to blow up stories to sell the paper and this is further evidence of that. I also bet the paper will be filled with negative letters asking for Aidy's head and I hope the WO print comments like mine too to give a balanced view. I certainly know that not everyone wants to see Aidy sacked.
On the subject of sacking Aidy. I am sorry I may be in minority but I think you are wrong.
Certainly we can't sack him now anyway. We must wait to see where we are at end of season.
It has been proved time and time again that stability in a club is the answer.
Big bankers quote above sums this up. 'he probably has the potential to be a great manager but I think he has probably run his cource here'
Why has he? - Yes he has made mistakes but who is to say that a new guy will not do the same?
I can think back to Viali for evidence of that! A so called experienced manager.
I think in Football everyone is too quick to want to sack people. A club needs stability. Look at Arsenal and Man U mangers of very long standing.
Remember people - It's not all over yet we will reach the play offs and then who knows.
Out of the relegated teams from the Prem we have finished the higher and still have a shot at promotion.
They would gladly swap places with us right now!
I would like to see Aidy given more time but with the Club appointing a good number 2. I don't accept the view that Aidy would not listen to them. That is rubbish. I know Aidy seeks advice and info from lots of different people and I feel sure he would not be adverse to soem help now. He knows things are not right and will want more than anything to put them right.
People talk of spin but thats his way he always talks the positive. His way is to say we will get promoted aim high etc. Because if you aim low you only acheive mediocre. I do accept though that this can set you up for a fall but it's how you handle that fall when it comes.
I think we have suffered from being 8 points clear and that raised our expectations. Yes I'm gutted we didn't grasp it and are promoted by now - we certainly should have been. Questions do need to be answered about that. But rememebr it a tough tough leauge.
But for me being in the play offs and still in with a shot is a good season and i bet if most of you were offered that last August you would all have taken it.
Peter Phillips, Loudwater says...
11:54am Tue 22 Apr 08
Vicar Rage, says...
11:54am Tue 22 Apr 08
Sorry, your comments regarding the WO on this story are wrong. I saw the story last night when it first appeared (at about 4.30pm), and it hasn't changed since.
The only slight discrepancy is the actual injury that has caused him to go back - but the WO story posted on here last night certainly said he needed treatment.
I don't see how they could blow this one up?
A month ago Boothroyd told us personally that Collins John was "fit and raring to go".
A month, five appearances and no goals later, he's gone back.
And that is what the WO have reported.
Or are you suggesting that the WO forced all the people on here who feel angry/disappointed/l
et down by this course of events to post their negative comments?
There's only one thing we can be grateful for - a year ago we tried to sign Collins John for £3.25m.
Thank heavens we didn't, because he'd be our crock of injured sh!te now, and not Fulham's.
The fact we went on to spend that big pile of dosh on Ellington is another matter . . .
Hurlsburls, says...
11:56am Tue 22 Apr 08
goatswilly, In a field says...
12:39pm Tue 22 Apr 08
Compare that to now and the football we are playing is pure dross.
Fair enough, if we were winning games by smashing the ball into orbit and 'managing' games then fine, Aidy has a good case in playing the style we play.
BUT, we haven't been on a good run for ages. Does it not click with him that it is time for a change in style?
What is annoying is his comments basically saying he can only work with what he has got. Well, HE bought the majority of the players we have, HE is responsible for training them and HE instructs us to play the way we do.
As I have said I am in two minds regarding the Manager but I think he needs to swallow his pride and change things for the good of the club he says he loves so much.
Peter Phillips, Loudwater says...
12:42pm Tue 22 Apr 08
Steve W, Tewkesbury says...
12:59pm Tue 22 Apr 08
We will all have our different view and that is great.
Apologies I was not sure if the article had changed obviously didn't read it properly!
I have to say I do agree with all of you. I titally understand everyones anger, frustration and dissapointment. I have to say I share it.
I can not belive that we have thrown it away after being 8 points clear. If we kept it going the evidence suggests we would have been even further clear. I do wonder though if that would have covered over the cracks!
I am so frustrated that the teams that go up automatically will do so by such a low points total and we had such a good chance at being one of them.
So I do totally understand and agree with the posts. What I am saying is maybe we need soem cool heads at least till the end of the season.
We are in with a shot at promotion so we need to give it evry chance from now on. I'd like to almost see the players and manager viewing it as starting the season all over again (if that makes sense. Yes and that includes Aidy changing things.
Then we all give it a real good go for the last 5 games (hopefully) and then see where we are at the end of season.
Stewart, LB says...
2:26pm Tue 22 Apr 08
mellow_yellow, watford says...
2:44pm Tue 22 Apr 08
AB: please keep your mouth shut from now until the season is over. The comments get more absurd by the day. Are we being run by the Ministry of Silly Walks, or what??
JohnBoy, Watford says...
2:52pm Tue 22 Apr 08
WFC & Proud, Watford says...
3:08pm Tue 22 Apr 08
Agreed (as other's have) the jury's out on Aidy's transfer deals overall but he's still learning the ropes and perhaps he's more "honest" than other managers?
Metal Mickey, Iver Bucks says...
3:09pm Tue 22 Apr 08
Roger, St Albans says...
3:15pm Tue 22 Apr 08
Hexham Hornet, Hexham says...
3:15pm Tue 22 Apr 08
chrissyboy, Milton Keynes says...
4:17pm Tue 22 Apr 08
I also hope that whatever comes of this season, that Aidy and Simpson stop patting each other on the back and telling each other how wonderful they are, and instead sit down and go over all the mistakes honestly together. Maybe even Aidy will hold his hands up, admit the blame and say sorry for a few things. I for one respect people who admit their mistakes, but learn from them, rather than people who constantly spin the positive and try to smart - talk their way out of situations.
Oh one last thing, I hope their both humble enough to bring on board an experienced number two for Aidy and listen to him!
(Or am I just too full of hope in general?)
RobBig, Kings Langley says...
4:24pm Tue 22 Apr 08
The enlightened one, Garston says...
5:25pm Tue 22 Apr 08
You just coudn't make it up.
Mark, Watford says...
6:59pm Tue 22 Apr 08
zip, colins world says...
7:02pm Tue 22 Apr 08
BTW, ozztwwat has got ADHD. Knew he was a mong and a mentalist...what say you Vor nonce?
Mark, Watford says...
7:05pm Tue 22 Apr 08
zip wrote:Goodness me..why do some of you even bother going if it depresses you that much!
i'll be there booing the team and chanting boothroyd out. This has been a miserable season and the team need to know it. BTW, ozztwwat has got ADHD. Knew he was a mong and a mentalist...what say you Vor nonce?
Go and do the garden or something instead surely?
The enlightened one, Garston says...
7:10pm Tue 22 Apr 08
Mark, Watford says...
7:10pm Tue 22 Apr 08
Kill themselves?
Mark, Watford says...
7:13pm Tue 22 Apr 08
The enlightened one wrote:Until they start losing and performing badly ofcourse..
Mark anyone other than boofers will do,he's that inept.
;)
VoR, Watford says...
7:16pm Tue 22 Apr 08
zip wrote:Dunno Col, don't think so..
i'll be there booing the team and chanting boothroyd out. This has been a miserable season and the team need to know it.
BTW, ozztwwat has got ADHD. Knew he was a mong and a mentalist...what say you Vor nonce?
One last time,
Moons Sat??????
VoR, Watford says...
7:19pm Tue 22 Apr 08
Mark wrote:We don't....
I wonder what some would do on here if they supporting a team like Port Vale or on of the sides going down into Non-league...
Kill themselves?
We wont.......Although with other posters, would be tempting!!!
The enlightened one, Garston says...
7:28pm Tue 22 Apr 08
Mark, Watford says...
7:38pm Tue 22 Apr 08
mark, dunstable says...
7:45pm Tue 22 Apr 08
the team know how bad they've been, why boo them on thw walkabout? There have been quite a few players who have tried their hardest throughout the year, so i hope my applause doesnt get drowned out by your moronic little boy routine. I've lost a lot of respect for certain people in the rookery this last year with the booing. it hasnt heped the team, it gets them more frustrated and therefore try to withdraw and play safe passes, instead of trying to unlock defences. its standard psychology of sport.
would like to see JD back at centre back, LB @ right back, JJ replaced by williamson, perhaps even TS up front with DH. Definately JD - anyone know why he isnt being played?
I'm certainly not liking our style of play, or our managers baffling tactics/ decisions/interviews etc, but dont boo on the traditional walk round after the game. Thats just thick, they know they've screwed up!
tommy gunn, suffolk says...
7:47pm Tue 22 Apr 08
SIMMO, BUCKS says...
12:53pm Wed 23 Apr 08
Roger wrote:Roger
Suppose we see another disappointing performance on Saturday , even (perish the thought) a defeat. I hope that if the team come out for the traditional "end of season walkabout" at the conclusion of this final home game we still give them a rousing reception, and not a hostile one, and certainly no chants of "Boothroyd out". Show support and say thanks to the hardworkers like Smith and Shittu--save your criticisms for another time.
you really expect the crowd to give the team a "rousing reception "
laughable ,if and i doubt it very much they even have the nerve to do a "walkabout " most deserve nothing ,however i will agree with you in giving Smith And Shittu a good ovation especially as it will be the last time they wear a Watford Shirt
YES that is the heavy price failure will cost us ,what other time should the criticisms start then ?
JohnBoy, Watford says...
8:08am Thu 24 Apr 08
WFC & Proud, Watford says...
8:33am today Thu 24 Apr 08
It might lead a cynic to believe they've not thought their argument through the next logical steps. For the boo'ers, feel free to put in constructive arguments and not the usual "any change is a good change", "I've had enough", etc comments.
Assumption time - for what I believe is the worst-case scenario.
As posted elsewhere, Mark Ashton departs in the summer leaving a two-man board; Graham Simpson & Lord Ashcroft. Aidy accepts a job somehwere else & resigns.
What does it mean in the long term?
Who is there that would (A) make a difference off the pitch; (B) on the pitch and (C) you would be comfortable with?
Other rumours suggest two possible bids to buy the club are "in the pipeline"; encouraging or worrying?
The manager: who's likely to come to a club where a vocal minority of our 11,000 home fan base (in a town of around 80,000 an hour's journey or less from established Prem clubs) now seem to expect top-flight football by right; something we've managed for around 10 seasons in 127 years of history.
How long are those of you that want Aidy & various players sacked at the end of his 3rd full season of management (he'd been a coach before that) prepared to wait for your new setup to get you to where you want to be?
1 season?
5 seasons?
How are you going to measure your approval: playing attractive football, acvhieving promotion back to the top flight by any means, position you finish at the end of a season? Or something else?
I can't see anyone other than an "asset stripper" being interested in running our club; the health campus & plans to re-vamp West Watford in general make the ground's location inviting as an investment opportunity, not a sporting venue. Sir Elton's unlikely to lob huge piles of money at the Club now; where do you suggest we start looking?
Furthermore, what if the ground was sold - where would you relocate to? At what cost? Who's going to raise the money? Which other Club would you want to merge with if that was the only way of staying in business? (It nearly happened years back; we all got angry at the possibility.)
Which managers available now are credible alternatives i.e. they meet your criteria for being a "good manager"? I've seen suggestions such as Paul Ince (he's been a manager for roughly the same time as Aidy) but I doubt he'd leave MK Dons and Billy Davies (might get you to the top flight but had less success than Aidy in trying to stay there).
To talk about now; I'm as 'confused' as everyone by the financial situation at the Club, what the board's plan B (& C etc) is for the future, I don't think we've played "well" since October (Sheff Weds at home: 2-0 up in 15 mins then 75 mins of hanging-on to a lead with Adam Johnson & Marlon King in the team) and reckon we're playing with less confidence than for a long time.
However, a play-off place is still in our hands (we can't make automatic promotion save for the most unlikely set of results in other games), I reckon the Youth, Academy & long-term plans to develop our own players are among the best in football and I still believe Aidy is one of the best young managers around. He may need help (and Mr Bassett is not that help!) from an experienced manager (leaving aside whatever we think happened with Keith Burkinshaw) to fulfil his potential and I think he's listening to too much advice when he should trust his instincts again as in the last two seasons.
Hexham Hornet, Hexham says...
9:18am Thu 24 Apr 08
It could be that Aidy has had enough - he is certainly looking that way - and if he leaves then we should get a good compensation packet and can afford to get a good manager. My vote, said many times, would be for John Ward - former Watford player and learnt his coaching under GT, successful manager (doing a great job at Carlisle), knows how to work within restricted budgets, excellent coach, has either coached or managed at all levels and is not one for talking bulls**t.
If the club is sold then I hope it goes to a serious WFC fan. If Elton was interested it would be good, but it would not guarantee the same success he had before. He is still in constant touch with the club and would want to put in a team of directors to run things on his behalf.
If Ashton goes then it is not the end of the world, but he has overseen a lot of good things at the club, including the ground's redevelopment and the Hatfield Academy and he should be thanked for these - what excellent things he can add to his CV.
Nobody is irreplaceable, but if we do lose them we need to have replacements lined up first and the boo'ers don't seem to think ahead.
Simpson, Ashcroft and Aidy have all taken Watford forwards and have put us into a position where we feel that we have the right to complain when we are close to promotion or play offs, rather than praising the club for just avoiding relegation. However, they would have to concede that a lot of the football this season has been vastly inferior to what we have grown to expect from Watford and they are victims of their own successes so far. Promotion is still not out of the question and so we should get behind the club and be the twelfth man. Scunthorpe will not be easy, as Cardiff found out, and so the team need our support. Lets see every game won between now and the end of the season - it is not impossible -and that would give us promotion!
Collins John
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hornetcarp, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE says...
4:36pm Mon 21 Apr 08