Boothroyd Departs

It was a shame to see one of the good guys of football management heading towards the unemployment wilderness as Aidy Boothroyd leaves Watford in that all too common phrase of ‘mutual consent’.
The Hornets chairman Graham Simpson intensely mentioned that Boothroyd departed because he needs a break from management but in all honesty I think that is a little naive.
Boothroyd always graced the media with full honesty and was popular in the management circuit. He appealed to the masses, as he was, at the time, the youngest and the second longest serving Championship manager behind Reading’s Steve Coppell.
Watford fans were least to say sceptical with his appointment especially the fragile position they were in at the time after taking over from Ray Lewingdon. At the beginning of the 2005-06, he laid down his intentions by setting his target for the new season as promotion. The fans and pundits laughed this off, deeming it unrealistic. He duly delivered.
When he joined from the backroom staff at Leeds United, he was touted to be the next ‘Graham Taylor’. He performed heroics, changed that mundane way Watford used to play, and managed to make them play decent championship football before achieving promotion in to the Premiership after a surprise playoff win over his former side Leeds.
Having achieved Promotion to the Premiership in a surprising manner they did, Boothroyd side finished bottom as they lacked any real top-class quality, as little money was available. Nevertheless, a memorable cup run saw them reach the FA Cup semi final before losing out to Manchester United.
They were the early pace setters in the 2007-08 season, Boothroyd maintained his good work before his side drearily faded away, he became under pressure and criticised for his newly profound direct play and his team selection.
Having the shrewd players of the calibre of Darius Henderson, Marlon King, and before, Ashley Young proved significant, as the team was full of pace and goals. Boothroyd created that mentality and he should be remembered for saving the career of King whose ill-spell in prison caused other managed to ignore him.
Unfortunately, for Watford they were on the end of a crushing 6-1 aggregate score to a determined Hull City side in the Playoff Semi Final last season, which condemned them at least another season in the championship.
Henderson was subsequently sold to rivals Sheffield United for £2 million, to the much annoyance of Boothroyd.
Jordan Stewart and record Nathan Ellington both joined Derby County and main centre half Danny Shittu left to join Bolton Wanderers. And with only Jon Harley and Grzegorz Rasiak being added to the squad to was obvious that they were going to struggle.
So, it is no surprise the club is hovering narrowly above the relegation show as a determined lack of quality is evident.
They still have some decent championship players in the form of Jobi McAnuff, Tamas Priskin, John-Joe O’Toole and Tommy Smith but it is merely not enough.
Having scored 23 goals in 15 games do not seem bad going by any means but at the back they have let in 27 (the worse in the division). Watford have found it difficult to hold off teams. Midfielder O’Toole and Smith have currently six goals each and it is up to these two to contribute massively to get The Hornets out of this rut.
Bizarrely three straight wins may take Watford into the play off places. The whole division lacks any consistency and for teams like Watford, Crystal Palace, Norwich and Charlton this must be encouraging.
Now that Boothroyd have left, current temporary First team Manager Malky Mackey will have a difficult job in trying to get Watford out of the slumps with his first trip to Swansea City on Sunday for the televised game.