We got knocked down! Can we get up again?

By the time Watford’s relegation was confirmed weeks before the season had
ended, fans had already started to look towards the delights of Championship
football once again.  For many the end of the season could not come soon enough
as relegation had seemed almost inevitable since before christmas of last
year.  With Watford’s fate already decided, the boys put in a couple of good
performances against Reading and Sheffield United away and held their own
against Newcastle in the final game of the season. This renewed hope for a quick
return to the rich, but so often cruel Premier League (ask Sheffield United
fans!)  Incidentaly, having heard the roars at the final whistle that Sheffield
United were joining us back in familiarity, it appears this is fast becoming a
‘no love lost derby’, if not so local!

So we look to next season, in what is in my opinion the weakest Championship
for a number of years certainly in terms of bigger teams, with spending power. 
Indeed, now Watford may even be considered one of the richer Championship teams
after last seasons antics and parachute payments!  With Sunderland, Birmingham,
Leeds and either WBA or Derby leaving the league, it becomes a far more open
division, and thats not to say it wasn’t so this year.  With Scunthorpe, Bristol
City and Yeovil or Blackpool entering the league there is surely no better
opportunity for The Golden Boys to make a swift return to the Premiership.  It
will be by no means easy, and Mr Boothroyd will have his work cutout in the
transfer market trying to hang onto players like Bouazza and Shittu, as well as
attracting the quality to give Watford that edge.  Obviously a goalkeeper will
be top of Aidy’s agenda providing competition for Richard Lee, whom has a lot to
live upto if he is to defy critics and fill the gap left by a certain England
number one.  Richard Wright has been released by Everton and if he could emultae
those early days of his Engladn U21 career, I’m sure many a hornet would welcome
such a talent between the sticks.  With Aidy Boothroyd, Al Bangura, and fans
favourite Marlon King all commiting their immediate futures to the club, the
ground redevlopment and a relatively improved bank statement, meaning key
players don’t have to be sold, Aidy will be here for the next three years and
hopefully during that time the club will continue to progress, without the worry
of finances.

So, who can Watford look forward to playing in ‘Northern League One’ next
season?  I refer to it as this because of the relativley small number of local
trips that we have become so accustomed to in the lower leagues.  With Palace,
QPR and Charlton forming our local derbies, and new haunts such as Scunny and
Colchester Hornets’ fans should be prepared to rack up the miles.  We should
also get back into the mindset of having a game every Saturday, and midweek
games more often than not, welcome back to the league for proper football fans! 
Barnsley, Cardiff or Hull away on a Tuesday night?  Affordable ticket prices,
pay on the day, sit where you like, terracing even, it’s the stuff that dreams
were made of, a far cry from The impressive Emirates stadium, a strange yet
rewarding comfort.

Hornets fans should by no means get carried away with our recent success, but
can hopefully look forward to getting back on the winning track and build up
some confidence from results, and scoring more frequently would be nice as
well.  With Wolves, Southampton, Preston and the other relegated teams likely to
pose a threat next year a top 6 finish can be seen as a realistic target. 
With  some capital in the bank to attract better players Aidy will hope to have
better luck than last season on the transfer and injury front alike.  With
Williams, Ashikodi and Francis due back during next season that will be like us 
having 3 new signings, but it will also be interesting to see who leaves the
club.  Certain players such as Mahon, Kabba and Henderson have under-performed,
but will that mean they leave the club?

So enjoy the summer, and gear yourselves up for a busy, yet ‘nice, quiet
promotion’-(AB-April 07) we can hope!  Renew those season tickets and join the
Yellow Army’s push in what could well see us return to grab another £30million+
bonanza and try and establish ourselves amongst the big boys, although you have
to ask yourselves is that what we really want?  Yeovil away, love it!