Watford - A fan's view
Also In The News
|
David Beckham created two goals as England eased the pressure on Steve McClaren with a 3-0 win over Estonia in Euro 2008 qualifying Group E in Tallinn. |  |
Thursday, 07, Jun 2007 01:58
Good, bad or just the same old, same old. What the fans made of the 2006-07 season.
Even the most ardently committed and biased of Watford fans would have recognised at the start of the season that staying in the Premiership was going to be a big ask. And despite the best efforts of Aidy Boothroyd, the inevitable was confirmed following a draw with Manchester City on April 21st. However, the fact that Watford almost lasted out until May is surely cause for celebration, given the rather bleak predictions of a Sunderland-esque failure by supposed 'experts' before a ball had been kicked. Indeed, these predictions looked worryingly accurate judging by Watford's results in the first two months of the season - their only success in the first ten games being a penalty shoot-out victory over Accrington Stanley (who are they? Exactly) in the League Cup - so the fact Boothroyd's men achieved as much as they did from thereon in should be applauded. Matters weren't helped by the early loss of Marlon King, Watford's top scorer during their promotion season, as it deprived them of their only real goal scoring threat, and this was exacerbated by the departure of Ashley Young to Aston Villa in the January transfer window. But they battled on bravely, and eventually recorded the respectable(ish) total of 28 points. The doom and gloom of relegation was offset, though, by an extended run in the FA Cup.
Grade: C+ - top marks for effort, but relegation never really in doubt
High Point
Let's be honest, it wasn't the hardest route to the semi final, so the shine is taken off slightly. And in the end, it was a convincing victory for United. But just for a moment - albeit a very brief moment - when Hameur Bouazza scored to cancel out Wayne Rooney's early opener, uncontrollable delirium broke out and a trip to Wembley looked on the cards. Then Christiano Ronaldo scored two minutes later.
Low Point
Marlon King's leg-breaker - ultimate proof that survival just wasn't meant to be.
Fan's Player of the Year
-Ben Foster-
A shame, perhaps, to award the fan's player of the year award to someone on Manchester United's books, but Foster is the obvious choice. Superb all the way through the season - apart from a momentary blip against Spurs when opposing goalkeeper Paul Robinson scored against him with a hopeful punt from inside his own half - his achievements were recognised by the otherwise hapless Steve McClaren, who called him up to the full England squad. Foster went on to make his debut in the friendly defeat against Spain. Meanwhile, Boothroyd has been consistently supportive of Foster's efforts, tipping him to be the best goalkeeper in the world in a few years' time. However, it remains to be seen if he will be able to displace Edwin van der Sar as United's number one when he returns to Old Trafford.
Needs for Next Season
Watford may just have been relegated, but the club is clearly moving in the right direction: the stadium capacity is currently being increased; exciting developments have recently been announced regarding the club's academy; and first team affairs are being overseen by arguably the most progressive young English manager around - indeed, Boothroyd has recently signed a new three-year contract. And with team spirit, organisation, grit and determination - all Watford strengths - rather than player ability the keys to securing promotion from the Championship, the Hornets appear to have an extremely good chance of bouncing back to the top flight straight away. That said, Boothroyd has already publicised the need to sign a 'keeper to replace Ben Foster, and a striker wouldn't go amiss either, to ensure the team is not so reliant on Marlon King. Marlon Harewood is supposedly in the frame, and if the two Marlons are in fact united it's likely Watford will be back in the Premiership for the start of the 2008/09 season.
Tim Lesnik
Club history, honours and statistics
Return to club news