Matty Whichelow cancels Watford contract
10:58am Monday 4th February 2013 in Latest Sport
Picture: Action Images
Matty Whichelow has left Watford after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent.
Whichelow made a superb impact during his debut season; scoring three goals in 21 appearances.
But the 21-year-old made just three more outings for the club last season under Sean Dyche and has not featured for the first team under Gianfranco Zola.
Whichelow made three appearances on loan at Exeter City during the 2011/12 campaign and also featured for Wycombe Wanderers four times last season.
The attacker, who can play in a number of positions, made two starts and two substitute appearances on loan at Acrrington Stanley earlier this season.
Comments(53)
stevyweavy
says...
11:13am Mon 4 Feb 13
Banjo
says...
11:13am Mon 4 Feb 13
T.O wrote:let us know if you ever lose your job so we can get a quick comment in.
Good!!!
McHornet
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11:20am Mon 4 Feb 13
He'll make himself a decent career in football, but one that will need to go down a few levels to come back again.
Good luck Matty!
Hampshire hornet
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11:23am Mon 4 Feb 13
Eastsussexhornet
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11:24am Mon 4 Feb 13
jasonwatford
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11:28am Mon 4 Feb 13
jasonwatford
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11:33am Mon 4 Feb 13
holtonian
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11:40am Mon 4 Feb 13
tonyevans22
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11:40am Mon 4 Feb 13
Eastsussexhornet wrote:Not at all,there are reasons for his release,one is that he is not good enough and at the age of 21 he should of kicked on and progressed,instead he has somewhat gone backwards.Also his attitude has been questioned not only by this club.We do not need to carry players that will not make it.Others like Jenkins will soon follow.And Maybe this will also send out a message to other players like Murray who shone last season and has done naff all this season except through his toys out the pram as he did at home to Bolton..Work hard,kick on,have a positive attitude and you have a chance,or players will replace you.
I cannot belive this! Not only do empty barrels make more noise, they make more noise quicker as well. Poor bloke - I was one of those that really wanted him to play more and couldn't understand why he was being loaned out. Now I could, of course, because we have a class team, but to kick him like that just because our fortunes have suddenly changed having been taken over by a rich family is a bit disingenuous to put it mildly.
Boxhorn
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11:45am Mon 4 Feb 13
Eastsussexhornet wrote:Bit OTT?
I cannot belive this! Not only do empty barrels make more noise, they make more noise quicker as well. Poor bloke - I was one of those that really wanted him to play more and couldn't understand why he was being loaned out. Now I could, of course, because we have a class team, but to kick him like that just because our fortunes have suddenly changed having been taken over by a rich family is a bit disingenuous to put it mildly.
It was the two previous managers that sent him out on loan and by all accounts Matty didn't exactly set the world alight in the lower leagues.
Lets assume that 'mutal consent' is what it says and perhaps a change of club will help him reignite his career.
Tynedale Hornet
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11:46am Mon 4 Feb 13
All the best Matty.
exeterhornet
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12:06pm Mon 4 Feb 13
cliff46
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12:09pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Hope he manages to find a career at a lower level., perhaps forest green would like yet another youngster from watford.
akureyri
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12:18pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Harry's Bar
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12:21pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Eastsussexhornet wrote:A bit of a change in attitude. Last week you were suggesting a monkey could do Zola's job, now you are getting all teary eyed about this. You are quite entitled to your opinions, they just appear to be quite contradictory.
I cannot belive this! Not only do empty barrels make more noise, they make more noise quicker as well. Poor bloke - I was one of those that really wanted him to play more and couldn't understand why he was being loaned out. Now I could, of course, because we have a class team, but to kick him like that just because our fortunes have suddenly changed having been taken over by a rich family is a bit disingenuous to put it mildly.
gloryhornet4
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12:23pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Banjo wrote:Absolutely. Insensitive and tactless.
T.O wrote:let us know if you ever lose your job so we can get a quick comment in.
Good!!!
gloryhornet4
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12:28pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Boxhorn wrote:Mutual consent I guess just means WFC have paid up his contract so he is eligible to sign for another club outside the transfer window.
Eastsussexhornet wrote:Bit OTT?
I cannot belive this! Not only do empty barrels make more noise, they make more noise quicker as well. Poor bloke - I was one of those that really wanted him to play more and couldn't understand why he was being loaned out. Now I could, of course, because we have a class team, but to kick him like that just because our fortunes have suddenly changed having been taken over by a rich family is a bit disingenuous to put it mildly.
It was the two previous managers that sent him out on loan and by all accounts Matty didn't exactly set the world alight in the lower leagues.
Lets assume that 'mutal consent' is what it says and perhaps a change of club will help him reignite his career.
Guy Bov
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12:36pm Mon 4 Feb 13
lutondown
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1:03pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Harry's Bar wrote:They do Harry!
Eastsussexhornet wrote:A bit of a change in attitude. Last week you were suggesting a monkey could do Zola's job, now you are getting all teary eyed about this. You are quite entitled to your opinions, they just appear to be quite contradictory.
I cannot belive this! Not only do empty barrels make more noise, they make more noise quicker as well. Poor bloke - I was one of those that really wanted him to play more and couldn't understand why he was being loaned out. Now I could, of course, because we have a class team, but to kick him like that just because our fortunes have suddenly changed having been taken over by a rich family is a bit disingenuous to put it mildly.
north carolina horn
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1:05pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Guy Bov wrote:I don't think so Guy Bov, I think it's more a case of lack of genuine progress on the individual players behalf, a lot can be forgiven when the boys are around 18 to 19 years old when they progress into Men's football, but when they still show that they have not developed after a season or two, then it's time to call a halt to their career with the club and move on.
Does the lack of development of the likes of Whichelow, Bennett, Jenkins show we have issues with the coaching/youth development of our players once they graduate from the academy?
I recall GT saying a while ago that he could watch David Johnson, a young right winger, all day long admiring his pace and skills but at the end of the day, David did not progress fully into Men's standard, Worrell Sterling is another example, great skills and just could not take the physical demands.
lutondown
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1:10pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Guy Bov wrote:I think there's a certain section with in our fan base that assume we have this wonderful production line from our academy, we do we were turning them out in the main for Lower league and non league clubs. Also that we are the premier family club, right I always see an awful lot of empty seats in the family stand. And then there's this mythical Watford way, that to me is inherent snobbery.
Does the lack of development of the likes of Whichelow, Bennett, Jenkins show we have issues with the coaching/youth development of our players once they graduate from the academy?
I hope when the town wakes up to the football played at the Vic that we attract some people from the estates.
Sorry if that offends the prawnies .....actually no I'm not
Guy Bov
says...
1:17pm Mon 4 Feb 13
north carolina horn wrote:Remember well too Rod Thomas ripping it up at schoolboy level
Guy Bov wrote:I don't think so Guy Bov, I think it's more a case of lack of genuine progress on the individual players behalf, a lot can be forgiven when the boys are around 18 to 19 years old when they progress into Men's football, but when they still show that they have not developed after a season or two, then it's time to call a halt to their career with the club and move on.
Does the lack of development of the likes of Whichelow, Bennett, Jenkins show we have issues with the coaching/youth development of our players once they graduate from the academy?
I recall GT saying a while ago that he could watch David Johnson, a young right winger, all day long admiring his pace and skills but at the end of the day, David did not progress fully into Men's standard, Worrell Sterling is another example, great skills and just could not take the physical demands.
Harry's Bar
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1:30pm Mon 4 Feb 13
north carolina horn wrote:What happened to David Johnson? Wasn't he dubbed the next John Barnes. Pace and skill but something must have been missing. Wouldn't listen to instructions didn't the manager intimate.
Guy Bov wrote: Does the lack of development of the likes of Whichelow, Bennett, Jenkins show we have issues with the coaching/youth development of our players once they graduate from the academy?I don't think so Guy Bov, I think it's more a case of lack of genuine progress on the individual players behalf, a lot can be forgiven when the boys are around 18 to 19 years old when they progress into Men's football, but when they still show that they have not developed after a season or two, then it's time to call a halt to their career with the club and move on. I recall GT saying a while ago that he could watch David Johnson, a young right winger, all day long admiring his pace and skills but at the end of the day, David did not progress fully into Men's standard, Worrell Sterling is another example, great skills and just could not take the physical demands.
mooneysmagic
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1:42pm Mon 4 Feb 13
tonyevans22 wrote:I think it is unfair to bracket Jenkins alongside Whichelow and Murray. Jenkins isn't blessed with the ability of the other two but always tried his hardest and had injury problems which restricted his progress. Murray and Whichelow unfortunately both have attitude problems and unless they radically change their conduct will regret wasting their careers.
Eastsussexhornet wrote:Not at all,there are reasons for his release,one is that he is not good enough and at the age of 21 he should of kicked on and progressed,instead he has somewhat gone backwards.Also his attitude has been questioned not only by this club.We do not need to carry players that will not make it.Others like Jenkins will soon follow.And Maybe this will also send out a message to other players like Murray who shone last season and has done naff all this season except through his toys out the pram as he did at home to Bolton..Work hard,kick on,have a positive attitude and you have a chance,or players will replace you.
I cannot belive this! Not only do empty barrels make more noise, they make more noise quicker as well. Poor bloke - I was one of those that really wanted him to play more and couldn't understand why he was being loaned out. Now I could, of course, because we have a class team, but to kick him like that just because our fortunes have suddenly changed having been taken over by a rich family is a bit disingenuous to put it mildly.
Colin West's mullet
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2:03pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Eastsussexhornet wrote:I don't think that's the reason.
I cannot belive this! Not only do empty barrels make more noise, they make more noise quicker as well. Poor bloke - I was one of those that really wanted him to play more and couldn't understand why he was being loaned out. Now I could, of course, because we have a class team, but to kick him like that just because our fortunes have suddenly changed having been taken over by a rich family is a bit disingenuous to put it mildly.
At a guess, he stopped putting in the effort because he thought he'd 'arrived' and stopped developing.
How else do you explain someone so promising a couple of years ago not even making an impact at Accy Stanley?
Guy Bov
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2:09pm Mon 4 Feb 13
mooneysmagic wrote:Ideally would like to see Murray go out on loan with Dyche at Burnley as he needs a good proverbial kick up the backside but seems unlikely he would be allowed to go out to one of our potential promotion rivals. As for Jenkins can't see him getting a sniff of the first team now the strength and quality of our squad has increased but do think he can do a job for a league 1 side.
tonyevans22 wrote:I think it is unfair to bracket Jenkins alongside Whichelow and Murray. Jenkins isn't blessed with the ability of the other two but always tried his hardest and had injury problems which restricted his progress. Murray and Whichelow unfortunately both have attitude problems and unless they radically change their conduct will regret wasting their careers.
Eastsussexhornet wrote:Not at all,there are reasons for his release,one is that he is not good enough and at the age of 21 he should of kicked on and progressed,instead he has somewhat gone backwards.Also his attitude has been questioned not only by this club.We do not need to carry players that will not make it.Others like Jenkins will soon follow.And Maybe this will also send out a message to other players like Murray who shone last season and has done naff all this season except through his toys out the pram as he did at home to Bolton..Work hard,kick on,have a positive attitude and you have a chance,or players will replace you.
I cannot belive this! Not only do empty barrels make more noise, they make more noise quicker as well. Poor bloke - I was one of those that really wanted him to play more and couldn't understand why he was being loaned out. Now I could, of course, because we have a class team, but to kick him like that just because our fortunes have suddenly changed having been taken over by a rich family is a bit disingenuous to put it mildly.
Eastsussexhornet
says...
2:47pm Mon 4 Feb 13
tonyevans22 wrote:I do agree with you - with what we know now - but I just thought it was a bit out of order for others to slate him when, if we hadn't been taken over and we were languishing near the bottom of the table, we would rate him higher. Last season we were for much of the time League 1 side doing well in the Championship. This season.....well, I dare not say.
Eastsussexhornet wrote:Not at all,there are reasons for his release,one is that he is not good enough and at the age of 21 he should of kicked on and progressed,instead he has somewhat gone backwards.Also his attitude has been questioned not only by this club.We do not need to carry players that will not make it.Others like Jenkins will soon follow.And Maybe this will also send out a message to other players like Murray who shone last season and has done naff all this season except through his toys out the pram as he did at home to Bolton..Work hard,kick on,have a positive attitude and you have a chance,or players will replace you.
I cannot belive this! Not only do empty barrels make more noise, they make more noise quicker as well. Poor bloke - I was one of those that really wanted him to play more and couldn't understand why he was being loaned out. Now I could, of course, because we have a class team, but to kick him like that just because our fortunes have suddenly changed having been taken over by a rich family is a bit disingenuous to put it mildly.
Eastsussexhornet
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2:51pm Mon 4 Feb 13
jasonwatford wrote:Totally agree. I own 5 companies so I know what you mean about business, rest assured! I wasn't complaining that we were kicking him OUT, just the fact that we were having a go at him.
Eastsussexhornet - You cant pay wages to someone who has nothing to offer you. If you ran a business and an employee turned up daily but offered you nothing and if you lent him out to other business and they sent him back because he offered them nothing what would you do ?
Eastsussexhornet
says...
2:53pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Harry's Bar wrote:Errrrrrr, right, ok. I haven't the feintest clue what you are on about.
Eastsussexhornet wrote:A bit of a change in attitude. Last week you were suggesting a monkey could do Zola's job, now you are getting all teary eyed about this. You are quite entitled to your opinions, they just appear to be quite contradictory.
I cannot belive this! Not only do empty barrels make more noise, they make more noise quicker as well. Poor bloke - I was one of those that really wanted him to play more and couldn't understand why he was being loaned out. Now I could, of course, because we have a class team, but to kick him like that just because our fortunes have suddenly changed having been taken over by a rich family is a bit disingenuous to put it mildly.
JohnnyHornet
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2:54pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Guy Bov wrote:The problem is they are top 1st division and bottom championship grade players, if that is where you want us to play our football in the next 5 years by all means keep them, I was a sceptic when SD got sacked and GFZ took over , but the Pozzo's and GFZ have proven that we " Little " Watford can achieve better things with the right tools. onwards and upwards, COYGB.
Does the lack of development of the likes of Whichelow, Bennett, Jenkins show we have issues with the coaching/youth development of our players once they graduate from the academy?
SAHornet
says...
3:00pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Eastsussexhornet wrote:Eastsussex - why do you always backtrack on your original comments when you come under pressure from other posters?
tonyevans22 wrote:I do agree with you - with what we know now - but I just thought it was a bit out of order for others to slate him when, if we hadn't been taken over and we were languishing near the bottom of the table, we would rate him higher. Last season we were for much of the time League 1 side doing well in the Championship. This season.....well, I dare not say.
Eastsussexhornet wrote:Not at all,there are reasons for his release,one is that he is not good enough and at the age of 21 he should of kicked on and progressed,instead he has somewhat gone backwards.Also his attitude has been questioned not only by this club.We do not need to carry players that will not make it.Others like Jenkins will soon follow.And Maybe this will also send out a message to other players like Murray who shone last season and has done naff all this season except through his toys out the pram as he did at home to Bolton..Work hard,kick on,have a positive attitude and you have a chance,or players will replace you.
I cannot belive this! Not only do empty barrels make more noise, they make more noise quicker as well. Poor bloke - I was one of those that really wanted him to play more and couldn't understand why he was being loaned out. Now I could, of course, because we have a class team, but to kick him like that just because our fortunes have suddenly changed having been taken over by a rich family is a bit disingenuous to put it mildly.
Eastsussexhornet
says...
3:24pm Mon 4 Feb 13
SAHornet wrote:Not back tracking at all. The problem is that a lot of people on here don't read the posts carefully enough or the point being made is too subtle for them. Not one of my orinal posts I would retract. It seems that I post and then have to spend the rest of the day explaining it every which way.
Eastsussexhornet wrote:Eastsussex - why do you always backtrack on your original comments when you come under pressure from other posters?
tonyevans22 wrote:I do agree with you - with what we know now - but I just thought it was a bit out of order for others to slate him when, if we hadn't been taken over and we were languishing near the bottom of the table, we would rate him higher. Last season we were for much of the time League 1 side doing well in the Championship. This season.....well, I dare not say.
Eastsussexhornet wrote:Not at all,there are reasons for his release,one is that he is not good enough and at the age of 21 he should of kicked on and progressed,instead he has somewhat gone backwards.Also his attitude has been questioned not only by this club.We do not need to carry players that will not make it.Others like Jenkins will soon follow.And Maybe this will also send out a message to other players like Murray who shone last season and has done naff all this season except through his toys out the pram as he did at home to Bolton..Work hard,kick on,have a positive attitude and you have a chance,or players will replace you.
I cannot belive this! Not only do empty barrels make more noise, they make more noise quicker as well. Poor bloke - I was one of those that really wanted him to play more and couldn't understand why he was being loaned out. Now I could, of course, because we have a class team, but to kick him like that just because our fortunes have suddenly changed having been taken over by a rich family is a bit disingenuous to put it mildly.
lutondown
says...
3:24pm Mon 4 Feb 13
SAHornet wrote:Yep have a view, don't matter who agrees or not, having an opinion does.
Eastsussexhornet wrote:Eastsussex - why do you always backtrack on your original comments when you come under pressure from other posters?
tonyevans22 wrote:I do agree with you - with what we know now - but I just thought it was a bit out of order for others to slate him when, if we hadn't been taken over and we were languishing near the bottom of the table, we would rate him higher. Last season we were for much of the time League 1 side doing well in the Championship. This season.....well, I dare not say.
Eastsussexhornet wrote:Not at all,there are reasons for his release,one is that he is not good enough and at the age of 21 he should of kicked on and progressed,instead he has somewhat gone backwards.Also his attitude has been questioned not only by this club.We do not need to carry players that will not make it.Others like Jenkins will soon follow.And Maybe this will also send out a message to other players like Murray who shone last season and has done naff all this season except through his toys out the pram as he did at home to Bolton..Work hard,kick on,have a positive attitude and you have a chance,or players will replace you.
I cannot belive this! Not only do empty barrels make more noise, they make more noise quicker as well. Poor bloke - I was one of those that really wanted him to play more and couldn't understand why he was being loaned out. Now I could, of course, because we have a class team, but to kick him like that just because our fortunes have suddenly changed having been taken over by a rich family is a bit disingenuous to put it mildly.
Chris the Vic
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3:43pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Some of these youngsters may yet make it and come back to haunt us others will never make it.
But if they aren't making it happen here the sooner they move on the better.
Murray, Jonjo O'T both threatened to be really good but for similar reasons failed to progress and this time next year if not before Sean will move on.
They have great opportunities at WFC but fail to realise at their early stage that it is a means to an end not an end in itself.
Guy Bov
says...
4:31pm Mon 4 Feb 13
JohnnyHornet wrote:I was throwing out to debate the question of is it down to poor coaching why the likes of Whichelow have fallen by the wayside or have our recent recruits just not being of sufficiently good quality to hold down a place at championship level.
Guy Bov wrote:The problem is they are top 1st division and bottom championship grade players, if that is where you want us to play our football in the next 5 years by all means keep them, I was a sceptic when SD got sacked and GFZ took over , but the Pozzo's and GFZ have proven that we " Little " Watford can achieve better things with the right tools. onwards and upwards, COYGB.
Does the lack of development of the likes of Whichelow, Bennett, Jenkins show we have issues with the coaching/youth development of our players once they graduate from the academy?
I for one look forward to a time when we can hold our own comfortably in the premiership, whether we can do this by our academy producing players of a good enough standard or we rely on incoming players from the Pozzo scouting network remains to be seen.
lutondown
says...
5:00pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Guy Bov wrote:The best youth policy at this club was Tom Walleys. Look at his production line. Great coach
JohnnyHornet wrote:I was throwing out to debate the question of is it down to poor coaching why the likes of Whichelow have fallen by the wayside or have our recent recruits just not being of sufficiently good quality to hold down a place at championship level.
Guy Bov wrote:The problem is they are top 1st division and bottom championship grade players, if that is where you want us to play our football in the next 5 years by all means keep them, I was a sceptic when SD got sacked and GFZ took over , but the Pozzo's and GFZ have proven that we " Little " Watford can achieve better things with the right tools. onwards and upwards, COYGB.
Does the lack of development of the likes of Whichelow, Bennett, Jenkins show we have issues with the coaching/youth development of our players once they graduate from the academy?
I for one look forward to a time when we can hold our own comfortably in the premiership, whether we can do this by our academy producing players of a good enough standard or we rely on incoming players from the Pozzo scouting network remains to be seen.
cannons tours
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5:06pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Guy Bov
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5:09pm Mon 4 Feb 13
lutondown wrote:Agreed, best by a mile
Guy Bov wrote:The best youth policy at this club was Tom Walleys. Look at his production line. Great coach
JohnnyHornet wrote:I was throwing out to debate the question of is it down to poor coaching why the likes of Whichelow have fallen by the wayside or have our recent recruits just not being of sufficiently good quality to hold down a place at championship level.
Guy Bov wrote:The problem is they are top 1st division and bottom championship grade players, if that is where you want us to play our football in the next 5 years by all means keep them, I was a sceptic when SD got sacked and GFZ took over , but the Pozzo's and GFZ have proven that we " Little " Watford can achieve better things with the right tools. onwards and upwards, COYGB.
Does the lack of development of the likes of Whichelow, Bennett, Jenkins show we have issues with the coaching/youth development of our players once they graduate from the academy?
I for one look forward to a time when we can hold our own comfortably in the premiership, whether we can do this by our academy producing players of a good enough standard or we rely on incoming players from the Pozzo scouting network remains to be seen.
smalon
says...
5:24pm Mon 4 Feb 13
lutondown wrote:I agree with you that we need more supporters from the local estates, people who will take pride in their local team.
Guy Bov wrote:I think there's a certain section with in our fan base that assume we have this wonderful production line from our academy, we do we were turning them out in the main for Lower league and non league clubs. Also that we are the premier family club, right I always see an awful lot of empty seats in the family stand. And then there's this mythical Watford way, that to me is inherent snobbery.
Does the lack of development of the likes of Whichelow, Bennett, Jenkins show we have issues with the coaching/youth development of our players once they graduate from the academy?
I hope when the town wakes up to the football played at the Vic that we attract some people from the estates.
Sorry if that offends the prawnies .....actually no I'm not
Unfortunately I am surrounded by QPHa fans here in S. Oxhey as everyone seems to think they are a cockney.
Three letters too long in my opinion.
lutondown
says...
5:44pm Mon 4 Feb 13
smalon wrote:Lol and Cockneys were east London not Paddington and area!
lutondown wrote:I agree with you that we need more supporters from the local estates, people who will take pride in their local team.
Guy Bov wrote:I think there's a certain section with in our fan base that assume we have this wonderful production line from our academy, we do we were turning them out in the main for Lower league and non league clubs. Also that we are the premier family club, right I always see an awful lot of empty seats in the family stand. And then there's this mythical Watford way, that to me is inherent snobbery.
Does the lack of development of the likes of Whichelow, Bennett, Jenkins show we have issues with the coaching/youth development of our players once they graduate from the academy?
I hope when the town wakes up to the football played at the Vic that we attract some people from the estates.
Sorry if that offends the prawnies .....actually no I'm not
Unfortunately I am surrounded by QPHa fans here in S. Oxhey as everyone seems to think they are a cockney.
Three letters too long in my opinion.
DuffmanWFC
says...
8:31pm Mon 4 Feb 13
A real full from grace for Whichelow I just hope Sean Murray isn't going the same way as he has been poor in virtually every game this season!
Stoney77
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9:22pm Mon 4 Feb 13
DuffmanWFC wrote:I think referring to it as a 'fall from grace' is a bit O.T.T.
Shame really as he bursted onto the scene with some good performances but he has struggled the last 18 months to make any sort of impact!
A real full from grace for Whichelow I just hope Sean Murray isn't going the same way as he has been poor in virtually every game this season!
He showed some promise in a handful of games for one of the smallest squads in the league at the time, which arguably relied too heavily on youngsters. He failed to follow up on that promise, most probably because like those fellow academy products before and after him (Massey, Bennett, Oshodi, Mingoia, Jenkins, Bryan, Diagoraga, Forde, Gibson, Henderson, Hand, O'Toole etc etc) he was not quite good enough, and league 1 / lower championship level at best. Not a scathing attack on our academy, just a point to underline that about 75% of academy products who break into the 1st team have not been good enough to play at championship level or above.
Our new owners have certainly highlighted the gap between such academy products and the players we need to have in order to get out of this division.
lutondown
says...
9:25pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Stoney77 wrote:So it shows our so called excellent academy is really a tad fabled, sad but true. Not a patch on Tom Walleys finds
DuffmanWFC wrote:I think referring to it as a 'fall from grace' is a bit O.T.T.
Shame really as he bursted onto the scene with some good performances but he has struggled the last 18 months to make any sort of impact!
A real full from grace for Whichelow I just hope Sean Murray isn't going the same way as he has been poor in virtually every game this season!
He showed some promise in a handful of games for one of the smallest squads in the league at the time, which arguably relied too heavily on youngsters. He failed to follow up on that promise, most probably because like those fellow academy products before and after him (Massey, Bennett, Oshodi, Mingoia, Jenkins, Bryan, Diagoraga, Forde, Gibson, Henderson, Hand, O'Toole etc etc) he was not quite good enough, and league 1 / lower championship level at best. Not a scathing attack on our academy, just a point to underline that about 75% of academy products who break into the 1st team have not been good enough to play at championship level or above.
Our new owners have certainly highlighted the gap between such academy products and the players we need to have in order to get out of this division.
Bringe
says...
6:30am Tue 5 Feb 13
lutondown
says...
7:07am Tue 5 Feb 13
Bringe wrote:I'm comparing the success rate. This as prior to the Pozzos.
I can't see us needing wingers or full-backs ever again and hopefully the academy has already disposed of the whole 4-4-2 mantra. Wingback really is a specialist position which suits few british coached players and the bar has been raised so I dare say we will lose a couple more of our youngsters for what is basically no fault of their own. It's also not fair to compare them with lads that broke through at a considerably lower level, nor Tom Whalley's finds for that matter as the game has changed that much.
Our academy produced very few gems, Tom Walley produced plenty. That's the comparison. And as I remember some of these lads Jackett, Callaghan, Gibbs to name a few, had success playing at the top.
northofwatfordpete
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9:47am Tue 5 Feb 13
You have to remember that Murray was playing for the under 18s for the most part of last season and only really broke into the team after Xmas - barely a year ago. I still hope to see Conor Smith, Bond, Britt A and Murray and others featuring in future Watford squads.
Harry's Bar
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11:02am Tue 5 Feb 13
Eastsussexhornet wrote:Well, last week you were absolutely slating Zola, I mean crucifying him. With this post a more caring, protective, sensitive attitude appears to prevail. (Sorry if it wasn't you that made the monkey reference by the way, I thought it was.)
Harry's Bar wrote:Errrrrrr, right, ok. I haven't the feintest clue what you are on about.Eastsussexhornet wrote: I cannot belive this! Not only do empty barrels make more noise, they make more noise quicker as well. Poor bloke - I was one of those that really wanted him to play more and couldn't understand why he was being loaned out. Now I could, of course, because we have a class team, but to kick him like that just because our fortunes have suddenly changed having been taken over by a rich family is a bit disingenuous to put it mildly.A bit of a change in attitude. Last week you were suggesting a monkey could do Zola's job, now you are getting all teary eyed about this. You are quite entitled to your opinions, they just appear to be quite contradictory.
Kildare Hornet
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11:48am Tue 5 Feb 13
JohnnyHornet
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3:57pm Wed 6 Feb 13
Guy Bov wrote:Walley by far, but who was the bloke before Walley can't for the life of me remember his name.
lutondown wrote:Agreed, best by a mile
Guy Bov wrote:The best youth policy at this club was Tom Walleys. Look at his production line. Great coach
JohnnyHornet wrote:I was throwing out to debate the question of is it down to poor coaching why the likes of Whichelow have fallen by the wayside or have our recent recruits just not being of sufficiently good quality to hold down a place at championship level.
Guy Bov wrote:The problem is they are top 1st division and bottom championship grade players, if that is where you want us to play our football in the next 5 years by all means keep them, I was a sceptic when SD got sacked and GFZ took over , but the Pozzo's and GFZ have proven that we " Little " Watford can achieve better things with the right tools. onwards and upwards, COYGB.
Does the lack of development of the likes of Whichelow, Bennett, Jenkins show we have issues with the coaching/youth development of our players once they graduate from the academy?
I for one look forward to a time when we can hold our own comfortably in the premiership, whether we can do this by our academy producing players of a good enough standard or we rely on incoming players from the Pozzo scouting network remains to be seen.
gloryhornet4
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5:16pm Wed 6 Feb 13
Eastsussexhornet wrote:and your point is?
SAHornet wrote:Not back tracking at all. The problem is that a lot of people on here don't read the posts carefully enough or the point being made is too subtle for them. Not one of my orinal posts I would retract. It seems that I post and then have to spend the rest of the day explaining it every which way.
Eastsussexhornet wrote:Eastsussex - why do you always backtrack on your original comments when you come under pressure from other posters?
tonyevans22 wrote:I do agree with you - with what we know now - but I just thought it was a bit out of order for others to slate him when, if we hadn't been taken over and we were languishing near the bottom of the table, we would rate him higher. Last season we were for much of the time League 1 side doing well in the Championship. This season.....well, I dare not say.
Eastsussexhornet wrote:Not at all,there are reasons for his release,one is that he is not good enough and at the age of 21 he should of kicked on and progressed,instead he has somewhat gone backwards.Also his attitude has been questioned not only by this club.We do not need to carry players that will not make it.Others like Jenkins will soon follow.And Maybe this will also send out a message to other players like Murray who shone last season and has done naff all this season except through his toys out the pram as he did at home to Bolton..Work hard,kick on,have a positive attitude and you have a chance,or players will replace you.
I cannot belive this! Not only do empty barrels make more noise, they make more noise quicker as well. Poor bloke - I was one of those that really wanted him to play more and couldn't understand why he was being loaned out. Now I could, of course, because we have a class team, but to kick him like that just because our fortunes have suddenly changed having been taken over by a rich family is a bit disingenuous to put it mildly.
Eastsussexhornet
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5:49pm Wed 6 Feb 13
Harry's Bar wrote:This article has just appeared again. Don't know why. Anyway, only just seen this last comment.
Eastsussexhornet wrote:Well, last week you were absolutely slating Zola, I mean crucifying him. With this post a more caring, protective, sensitive attitude appears to prevail. (Sorry if it wasn't you that made the monkey reference by the way, I thought it was.)
Harry's Bar wrote:Errrrrrr, right, ok. I haven't the feintest clue what you are on about.Eastsussexhornet wrote: I cannot belive this! Not only do empty barrels make more noise, they make more noise quicker as well. Poor bloke - I was one of those that really wanted him to play more and couldn't understand why he was being loaned out. Now I could, of course, because we have a class team, but to kick him like that just because our fortunes have suddenly changed having been taken over by a rich family is a bit disingenuous to put it mildly.A bit of a change in attitude. Last week you were suggesting a monkey could do Zola's job, now you are getting all teary eyed about this. You are quite entitled to your opinions, they just appear to be quite contradictory.
Yes, I did rather slate GFZ. But that was on a particular issue I felt and still do feel strongly about - lets call it the Bristol incident, which I think we can try to gloss over now if you don't mind, especially as I suspect it won't happen again.
This is why I couldn't understand the connection between that and Whichelow, a completely different matter, apart from your realisation that I was actually quite a caring, sharing and all round nice person, which of course I am.
StuWFC
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6:09pm Wed 6 Feb 13
T.O says...
11:07am Mon 4 Feb 13