It is a bit of a cliche but without doubt a season of consolidation is what is required after the mad comings and goings of last season.
We need the kind of season like we had in 2002/3 after the Vialli whirlwind came in and damaged the club. In appointing Malky we've gone for exactly the same sort of remedy we went for that time when we appointed Ray Lewington as a safe reliable pair of hands who knew the club and could be counted on not to do anything rash like bringing in a load of old pros on too much money or jumping ship to Reading.
So what can we expect from Malky's Watford? I think it partly depends on who we keep and then on being injury free. If we manage to hang on to Tommy and don't have too many out at once or at crucial times then I reckon a repeat of last years position or maybe even better is possible. If Danny Graham is the striker he has seemed in pre-season that I think the later is more likely. Selling Tommy, Mike Williamson and maybe one or two others and we'll struggle.
Here are a few sentences of nonsense about the squad we are starting the 09/10 season with.
No.1 Scott Loach- He has clearly made the No.1 jersey his own, not least because MM has given it to him. He still has a few rough edges that need sorting out, in particular his kicking. But ironically and maybe luckily for him this is also Lee's weakest area so that in a game of Top Trumps between the pair, Loach would win every category. He should get a long spell in the side, although I see that 'cos he has been called up for England U-21's again, he is already due to miss the Barnet cup game.
No.2 Adrian Mariappa- Gets better with each season and is especially valuable because he can play in the centre or on the right. Injury free and he could be an ever present this time round.
No.3 Jure Travner- Would seem to be a Jon Harley replacement. Did well in pre-season. Reckon he needs time to settle but already looked pretty at home to me.
No.4 Scott Severin- I've yet to be impressed by Severin. I wasn't particularly enamoured with his reasons for wanting to leave Aberdeen, being that he found the SPL boring. Trying working in a supermarket for a living mate. So far he seems to have been more Mahon/Eustace than Jack Cork
No.6 Jay De Merit- Its slightly bizarre that Jay has, yet again, kept the captains armband when I'd say that Mike Williamson has proved himself as the natural leader in defence but maybe MM thought we'd had enough changes to cope with. Jay has looked much more comfortable since Mike's arrival. The plaudits he took at the Confederations Cup can't have done his confidence any harm at all and unless he has an awful season is likely to be our sole representative in South Africa next summer.
No.7 Don Cowie- A brilliant Judas signing and, even better, there's been nothing about him going to Reading. If he can stay fit he is one of the keys to us doing well.
No.8 Tommy Smith- Presumably not going to Sheffield United due to family reasons and I would hope that if he was going to Reading he'd have gone now. So unless we get a daft offer from a London club lets pray he stays and achieves near Mooney like status.
No.10 Danny Graham- Looks the business already and, as I said in a previous post, my concern already is how long we can keep him before some annoying club like Fulham make an approach. Could form a lethal partnership with Tommy.
No.11 Jobi McAnuff- Must be on the mend from his mystery illness as the WO reckons we've got a full squad to choose from tomorrow. A bit like Priskin my concern with him is that, so far, he has only ever performed under Judas. Can he do it under MM?
No.12 Lloyd Doyley- The biggest transformation in any player last season was the change in Doyley to Lloydinho. Our previous lovable but slightly hapless defender suddenly could put in perfect tackles timed to the millisecond and could occasionally run rings round opponents for fun. He's sorted out his passing problem too. The only other box to tick this season is the scoring a goal one and Lloyd's transformation to superhero will be complete.
No.13 Jonathan North- Having been rejected he was rescued X Factor style by another contestant not fancying his mentor. Looked good at St.Albans but presumably will have to put in loads of effort if he is to get anywhere near the first team on merit.
No.14 Ross Jenkins- Slightly overshadowed by Jack Cork, Jenkins should have been the revelation of last season coming from nowhere to cement a place in the side. Long way it continue, although in the same way as all of our youngesters lets hope he doesn't look too good or else I fear someone will come calling for him. There is more danger of this then ever before now that the BBC are showing their Football League show straight after MOTD.
No.15 Jon Harley- The arrival of Jure Travner will probably limit his appearances even more, which is a shame 'cos Jon seems to be a great bloke who always plays with a smile on his face. He has a great chant too. Alas he does seem to be slowing down a bit and if Forest really want him for £500,000 then I think we'd be mad to say no.
No.16 Richard Lee- I admire him immensely for staying with us over the years when he is consistentally passed over. He clearly loves Watford and wants to be a part of it rather than dragging himself round clubs he has no interest in just to get a game. Top man.
No.17 Dale Bennett- So far has only appeared as a sub in the West Ham cup game. Played in the pre-season match at Borehamwood without distinction. Other than that I don't think he's appeared at all, being a unused sub against St.Albans. A surprise to find him given a number as high as 17.
No.18 Will Hoskins- I really like Will. He always looks like he wants the ball, always looks like he is trying. If I was in charge he'd have had many more chances in the side. I hope Malky is the boss to give him those chances and not just because of who we might have sold.
No.19 Liam Henderson- If Priskin hadn't gone I reckon Liam would've been looking at another season of being loaned out. As it is I think he'll be warming the enlarged subs bench a lot, but always looks eager and dangerous whenever he comes on.
No.21 Lewis Young- Smaller than his brother if that's possible but he still possesses the talent. However, he needs to eat a few more pies if he doesn't want to go down to McNamee route.
No.23 Jordan Parkes- I would've said he looks promising and this could've been the season he made the leap from bit part player to regular member of the squad. However an impending loan maybe suggests otherwise.
No.24 Mike Williamson- He was the answer to the problem that plagued Aidy for so long. Our defence again looks robust and reliable. You no longer wince at corners or when the opposition is going at us in a one on one situation. Mike is the rockbed at the back. Please don't go anywhere Mike!
No.25 Nathan Ellington- Reportedly having a trial with Blackburn as Sam Alladyrce becomes yet another manager who thinks he can rediscover the Duke magic. Well, thank goodness there is one out there. The real surprise is that its a Prem manager as right now I would only expect teams in the bottom two divisions to be even remotely interested and then they'd be put off by his ridiculous wages. I really hope he performs up north as I haven't seen anything during pre-season that makes me think he is near to finding his form in a yellow shirt.
No.26 John Joe O'Toole- A star in the making two seasons ago, but whose light seems to get dimmer and dimmer. The fact he's gone from being linked with clubs in the Premiership to League One says a lot but I think its far too early to write him off. He performed under Aidy only blotting his copy book by returning from the last close season carrying a bit of weight. He still did well until Judas came in and didn't seem to like the look of him. The odd thing is under MM he doesn't seem in favour either, being lumped in with the developmental squad more than the first team. I thought he'd be worth a punt alongside Jenkins in pre-season but obviously its too late for that now.
No.27 Mat Sadler- He's just about done okay but that's as much as you can say so far in his Watford career. Tried as an attacking left winger at St.Albans but that didn't seem to make him any better. I would guess a season of bench warming looms and only because you can now name 7 instead of 5 subs. If we can we'll offload him.
No.28 John Eustace- I never really rated him but in pre-season he looked really good. Better than Severin any-way. I didn't think I'd ever say this but he is probably worth hanging on to for now.
No.29 Michael Bryan- Played the first half at Borehamwood and looked brilliant, especially his wonder goal after three minutes. Could he be this seasons Ross Jenkins?
No.30 Rob Kiernan- Youth team captain Kiernan looked good in the pre-season games I've seen. The League Cup and first team bench warming probably beckons.
No.31 Marvin Sordell- Was rather shown up by Beauvue at Wealdstone. I expect he's glad the Frenchman didn't get a contract.
No.32 Billy Gibson- Featured in the Bristol Rovers game last season and in the developmental squads in pre-season. Might be due a loan spell this time round.
No.33 Lee Hodson- Was outstanding in the last day win over Derby County. Unlikely to get lots of chances this season but hopefully we'll see him in a few League Cup games.
No.34 Eddie Oshodi- Nearly scored a brilliant own goal against St.Albans. Only feature as an unused sub in the League Cup.
No.35 Bo Antal- Steals the crown for best name of any current Watford player. He is now the only Hungarian in our squad.
