Watford

[Icy Gull]

How have they gone from being relegation scrappers to promotion hopefuls and doing it in style? I know they have an unknown and untested manager who seems to have worked a miracle. Was this done with a big cash injection, an excellent youth team, clever signings or a combination of all of these things? I am staggered to see them riding so high and stuffing Sheffield United, especially as they had McCammon on trial last week!

I had them down as relegation favourites at the start of the season

Anyone know anything about them?

 

[Barrel of Fun]

They have been very lucky. They had a good basis to the team and have spent over £1m on some very astute signings.

I wouldn't rule them out snatching the last automatic place.

 

[bhafc4eva]

Elton John gave them £3 million at the start of the season and said it had to all be spent on transfers. He raised the money from a concert at the ground. If only we had a chairman with the same ambitions.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Elton John gave them £3 million at the start of the season and said it had to all be spent on transfers. He raised the money from a concert at the ground. If only we had a chairman with the same ambitions.

I can't imagine Dick raising £3m by belting out Crocodile Rock or Blue Eyes....On second thoughts......

 

[bhaexpress]

Elton John gave them £3 million at the start of the season and said it had to all be spent on transfers. He raised the money from a concert at the ground. If only we had a chairman with the same ambitions.

Can't see Dick Knight doing a sell out concert at Withdean and even if he did I suspect the local NIMBYs would get a court order to stop it thanks to the noise.

 

[dougdeep]

I can't imagine Dick raising £3m by belting out Crocodile Rock or Blue Eyes....On second thoughts......

Mr Cook could give it a try.

 

[Da Man Clay]

Mr Cook could give it a try.

I think Mr Cook has given us a fair amount of money to be fair to him.

 

[mcshane in the 79th]

Mr Cook could give it a try.

Not a bad idea! Remember how many people turned up for his beach gig? Ok that was free, but I\'m sure it\'d attract quite a few people.

 

[trueblue]

They've spent a bundle haven't they? It's not rocket science really - just sign a load of players proven at this level (like we did to get out of Division Three) and have well organised management.

I think we'd be there or thereabouts too if we had a million to spend.

 

[mcshane in the 79th]

I think Mr Cook has given us a fair amount of money to be fair to him.

But this would only cost him an evening, he could take any money to cover costs and then leave us with the profits

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Maybe the Racecourse could lend its facilities.......

 

[Da Man Clay]

But this would only cost him an evening, he could take any money to cover costs and then leave us with the profits

I think the season we got relegated he said he was not going to be giving us anymore money until Falmer. Cant remember where i read that so i am prob wrong!

 

[Icy Gull]

They've spent a bundle haven't they? It's not rocket science really - just sign a load of players proven at this level (like we did to get out of Division Three) and have well organised management.

But are they all proven at this level or should I say were thay all proven, as they obviously are now. Which ones were obvious quality pre season?

 

[Rangdo]

I suspect the local NIMBYs would get a court order to stop it thanks to the noise.

Doesn't that just sum it up.

 

[Rougvie]

They have a VERY clever manager.

 

[triptolemus]

Elton John gave them £3 million at the start of the season and said it had to all be spent on transfers. He raised the money from a concert at the ground. If only we had a chairman with the same ambitions.

I'm not sure this is true. I believe the money went to the Buy-Back-the-Vic campaign - to repurchase the lease on the Vicarage Road Ground. Watford were hugely in debt and going to the wall three seasons ago. Elton John doesn't bankroll them anymore, not at the level he used to at least. Their revival has not been about money, more about the chairman and the choice of Aidy Boothroyd as manager.

 

[Trigger]

The only money Watford had to spend was that of the transfer of Helguson to Fulham, luckily they have a very good manager who spent it wisely.

 

[dougdeep]

I've asked them for their secret on their board. Perhaps we could learn something.

 

[CHAPPERS]

I've asked them for their secret on their board. Perhaps we could learn something.

As Trigger and Rougvie have pointed out, it's Aidy Boothroyd and the players he has brought in.

Getting Marlon King scoring again is a BIG coup for him.

 

[captainmorganrum]

They have the future England keeper (ex-Wrexham!)