Hornets
Horns turned down Ellington bid
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| Nathan Elllington |
Aidy Boothroyd has revealed Watford turned down a bid from Derby County in January to sign Nathan Ellington - and that Collins John would have failed a medical had he undergone one when he joined on loan from Fulham.
Rams boss Paul Jewell tabled a bid for Ellington during the transfer window, hoping to reunite himself with a player who performed wonders for him at Wigan Athletic.
But Watford rebuffed Derby's approach, although they are expected to test the Hornets' resolve again in the summer.
"I turned down the bid because I believe he can do it," said Boothroyd on his £3.25m record signing.
"If he is the one that gets that goal at Wembley for us then it will be good business.
"He has an excellent football brain, he can run in behind, he can play in between and pick passes. We haven't found a way to get the best out of him yet."
Added chairman Graham Simpson: "We have always said that the manager makes those decisions. It was a no-brainer as far as I was concerned. He said he didn't want Nathan to go and so therefore Nathan wasn't going."
Ellington flourished in January and February, scoring three goals in five matches but he has been on the periphery since, with Boothroyd opting to pair Tamas Priskin and Darius Henderson in attack for the last two games.
"People will say he's not been given a crack and he's not been brought on early enough," said Boothroyd. "People are entitled to that opinion. I haven't brought him to sit him on the bench but I'm looking at what's best for the team and that's a decision I've made.
"He's come from West Brom who like to pass the ball out from the back. He then comes to a team where he would say he doesn't get the ball to feet enough.
"I believe you have to stretch teams and Nathan is the perfect player when the game is stretched, particularly at home. He has an awful lot of attributes but he just hasn't done the right things up until now."
Meanwhile, John returned to Fulham this week for surgery on a thigh muscle he ruptured during a practice match. He started just three games during his goalless loan spell and failed to complete a full 90 minutes.
"It's disappointing," said Boothroyd. "Bringing him here was all about getting to know him and have a look at him. If he had done a medical when he arrived he probably wouldn't have passed it.
"But the fact that he came in as a loan player, and not a signing, gave us the chance to have a look at him and maybe get a reduced fee for him at the end of the season, if he was what we required.
"The lad has had to get fit but then I've had to tell him I can't play him because he isn't match fit. He's been unfortunate and it's on my head who I bring in and who I get rid of."
During John's ignominious stay at Vicarage Road, Watford will have had to pay at least 50 per cent of John's reported £18,000 a week wages, as well as give the Cottagers a loan fee.
"He's not a charity, of course there was a cost involved," said the manager. "I thought it was better to get him in and pay his wages rather than lay out a transfer fee for a player who was going to be out for six or seven months."
Watford had a bid of £3.25m accepted for John in January 2007 and had agreed a £2m move for the player this summer should his loan spell prove successful and the team win promotion to the Premiership.
The Dutch forward arrived at Vicarage Road with a chequered injury record and a reputation as a poor trainer.
"You get people who come in and hit the ground running, like Foster and Johnson, and you get those who don't," said the manager. "That's why we got CJ in on loan. He turned me down once and I wanted to see how hungry he was. I guess you can say thanks goodness we didn't invest the money in a transfer fee."
7:56am Saturday 26th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: Darren, Canada on 1:17am Sat 26 Apr 08
That really does not make good reading. If the wage was a big as printed (I know that is questionable) then why not invest that salary on someone who IS fit and ready to hit the ground running. I think Adie has made himself look quite foolish with this news and might regret it. I cannot think of anyone who would sign a player who is not fit, whether they want to look at him or not.
That really does not make good reading. If the wage was a big as printed (I know that is questionable) then why not invest that salary on someone who IS fit and ready to hit the ground running. I think Adie has made himself look quite foolish with this news and might regret it. I cannot think of anyone who would sign a player who is not fit, whether they want to look at him or not.
Posted by: Upper-Rous, Watford on 8:08am Sat 26 Apr 08
You have to hand it to West Brom – flogging us Ellington was an absolutely brilliant piece of transfer business. They kept Kevin Phillips - who's bagged 22 goals in the league this season - and flogged us a player who moves slower than that bloke who does the London Marathon in a diving suit. In terms of a bum deal for the Hornets, it has to be up there with the paltry £250k they paid for Paul Robinson (or, for older readers, the purchase of Trevor Senior in 1987/88).
The Baggies fans I've spoken to this season were utterly astonished that we paid that kind of money. Apparently, Wigan were offering a couple of million, then we go and trump it. And that for a player who had under-performed at the Hawthorns, famously refusing to play because of a ‘bruised toe’ – astonishing, if only for the fact that his foot managed to connect with anything to cause the injury.
We should cut our losses in the summer and use the money to pay off our ever-increasing overdraft. Trouble is, if Derby don't renew their interest (I would guess a bid of around £2m-£2.5m was made) , who the hell is going to want to buy him?!
Apparently, the Duke told someone at the sponsor’s evening that he thought he’d been substituted when he was playing well – I’d be interested to know which game he was referring to, having seen him fail to impress in so many games this season.
Still, I suppose it could have been worse. We could have spent £3.25m on Collins John.
You have to hand it to West Brom – flogging us Ellington was an absolutely brilliant piece of transfer business. They kept Kevin Phillips - who's bagged 22 goals in the league this season - and flogged us a player who moves slower than that bloke who does the London Marathon in a diving suit. In terms of a bum deal for the Hornets, it has to be up there with the paltry £250k they paid for Paul Robinson (or, for older readers, the purchase of Trevor Senior in 1987/88).
The Baggies fans I've spoken to this season were utterly astonished that we paid that kind of money. Apparently, Wigan were offering a couple of million, then we go and trump it. And that for a player who had under-performed at the Hawthorns, famously refusing to play because of a ‘bruised toe’ – astonishing, if only for the fact that his foot managed to connect with anything to cause the injury.
We should cut our losses in the summer and use the money to pay off our ever-increasing overdraft. Trouble is, if Derby don't renew their interest (I would guess a bid of around £2m-£2.5m was made) , who the hell is going to want to buy him?!
Apparently, the Duke told someone at the sponsor’s evening that he thought he’d been substituted when he was playing well – I’d be interested to know which game he was referring to, having seen him fail to impress in so many games this season.
Still, I suppose it could have been worse. We could have spent £3.25m on Collins John.
Posted by: Hexham Hornet, Hexham on 8:18am Sat 26 Apr 08
None of what Aidy has said about NE or CJ makes business sense. If he was not prepared to play NE for much of the season why not get back the money we paid for him, and more importantly reduce the wage bill? He had played him for a short run of matches, the fans didn't like him yet he scored a few goals then has sat on the bench. Has Aidy dropped because of pressure from the fans, or because he has agreed with the fans? The CJ loan was just a laugh. He was not fit, so that should have been end of the story. What is the point of paying somebody to sit out his time at Watford, when he could have done the same at Fulham at no cost to us? Other clubs have brought in players who were fit and ready to hit the ground running - Ebanks-Blake, is probably the most successful in the Championship. Aidy should not have the last say in transfers, that is why he needs a strong No 2!! Aidy has not said if he is still interested in CJ, lets hope he is not!! Does anyone know the situation with Calum Davenport?? Is he recovered? Are we lined up to take him, if he is fit? That was a good potential signing!!
None of what Aidy has said about NE or CJ makes business sense. If he was not prepared to play NE for much of the season why not get back the money we paid for him, and more importantly reduce the wage bill? He had played him for a short run of matches, the fans didn't like him yet he scored a few goals then has sat on the bench. Has Aidy dropped because of pressure from the fans, or because he has agreed with the fans? The CJ loan was just a laugh. He was not fit, so that should have been end of the story. What is the point of paying somebody to sit out his time at Watford, when he could have done the same at Fulham at no cost to us? Other clubs have brought in players who were fit and ready to hit the ground running - Ebanks-Blake, is probably the most successful in the Championship. Aidy should not have the last say in transfers, that is why he needs a strong No 2!! Aidy has not said if he is still interested in CJ, lets hope he is not!! Does anyone know the situation with Calum Davenport?? Is he recovered? Are we lined up to take him, if he is fit? That was a good potential signing!!
Posted by: Hapless Horn on 8:57am Sat 26 Apr 08
Sorry Adrian old chap but this is really Indefensible rubbish is it not?
Given the fact (as my old head JB used to say) that young Mr John was out of contract in the summer,surely even the most beastly of tribunals would never have awarded Fulham more than c£750,000 if we signed him without agreeing a fee.?
I fear that it was getting CJ that may have excited the acceptance of Fulham`s bid for the much missed Mr King.
I hope Mr Jewell stays at Derby as there is then perhaps some light at the end of the very dark tunnel of having Mr Ellington on our books.
Sorry Adrian old chap but this is really Indefensible rubbish is it not?
Given the fact (as my old head JB used to say) that young Mr John was out of contract in the summer,surely even the most beastly of tribunals would never have awarded Fulham more than c£750,000 if we signed him without agreeing a fee.?
I fear that it was getting CJ that may have excited the acceptance of Fulham`s bid for the much missed Mr King.
I hope Mr Jewell stays at Derby as there is then perhaps some light at the end of the very dark tunnel of having Mr Ellington on our books.
Posted by: Scott, Watford on 10:50am Sat 26 Apr 08
So he sells Marlon but keeps a waster, unbelieveable!
So he sells Marlon but keeps a waster, unbelieveable!
Posted by: Winston, watford on 11:08am Sat 26 Apr 08
Sell NE a waste of space - be WFC get promotion or stay in the Championship its time to look at who goes and who stays?
Sell NE a waste of space - be WFC get promotion or stay in the Championship its time to look at who goes and who stays?
Posted by: Stevie on 12:13pm Sat 26 Apr 08
Probably its a done deal for NE in the summer. Only hope that we dont get Earnshaw as part of the deal.
Probably its a done deal for NE in the summer. Only hope that we dont get Earnshaw as part of the deal.
Posted by: Metal Mickey, Iver Bucks on 12:32pm Sat 26 Apr 08
We had to turn the offer down as it was a realistic one based on the players ability...unfortunat
eley it was insufficent to cover the cost of postage to register the transfer with the FA
We had to turn the offer down as it was a realistic one based on the players ability...unfortunat
eley it was insufficent to cover the cost of postage to register the transfer with the FA
Posted by: The enlightened one, Garston on 12:53pm Sat 26 Apr 08
Is anyone surprised,as i've been sying for many months boofers ain't up to it,this sort of stuff just makes him look increasingly more foolish if that were possible.
Fingers crossed for 3pts today.
Is anyone surprised,as i've been sying for many months boofers ain't up to it,this sort of stuff just makes him look increasingly more foolish if that were possible.
Fingers crossed for 3pts today.
Posted by: Happy Grazer, Aylesbury on 2:45pm Sat 26 Apr 08
Upper rous behave, Ellington must be up there with Jamie Moralee as a total waste of space LOL
Upper rous behave, Ellington must be up there with Jamie Moralee as a total waste of space LOL
Posted by: Johan, 023-273 on 3:16pm Sat 26 Apr 08
Ah Happy Grazer, but is he a better buy than senior?
Ah Happy Grazer, but is he a better buy than senior?
Posted by: Happy Grazer, Aylesbury on 4:08pm Sat 26 Apr 08
Ah yes, point taken, seems to me that over the years proven goalscorer have found it very difficult to carry that goal scoring form through to the vicarage
Ah yes, point taken, seems to me that over the years proven goalscorer have found it very difficult to carry that goal scoring form through to the vicarage
Posted by: rosh99, hereford on 4:57pm Sat 26 Apr 08
Errr.. one minute of the game left against Scunthorpe and I can't see any sign of this promised flood of goals. Will soneone get rid of this idio of a manager. How glad am I that I didn;t drive my usual 130 miles to Vicarage Road. I refuse to spend any more money on these useless overpaid premadonnas, and on funding the pockets of AB. GET RID OF HIM !!!!!!
Errr.. one minute of the game left against Scunthorpe and I can't see any sign of this promised flood of goals. Will soneone get rid of this idio of a manager. How glad am I that I didn;t drive my usual 130 miles to Vicarage Road. I refuse to spend any more money on these useless overpaid premadonnas, and on funding the pockets of AB. GET RID OF HIM !!!!!!
Posted by: Happy Grazer, Aylesbury on 5:17pm Sat 26 Apr 08
Winston, it's dead easy to list who should go but there isn't enough space here to list them all, the only people who deserve any credit this season is the die hards who turn up each week to see this dross, I have to listen on BBC 3 counties because of work like him or loathe him Neil Price has it to a tee, we're Crap and you can hear him wanting to say it.
Winston, it's dead easy to list who should go but there isn't enough space here to list them all, the only people who deserve any credit this season is the die hards who turn up each week to see this dross, I have to listen on BBC 3 counties because of work like him or loathe him Neil Price has it to a tee, we're Crap and you can hear him wanting to say it.
Posted by: hornet74, Berkhamsted on 7:12pm Sat 26 Apr 08
Maybe we could do a deal with Derby with Ellington going there an we get Earnshaw in exchange.
Maybe we could do a deal with Derby with Ellington going there an we get Earnshaw in exchange.
Posted by: andywatford, watford on 10:58pm Sat 26 Apr 08
time to go boothroyd you idiot ! dont forget he turned down ebanks blake before he went to plymouth. and he wanted sam parkin instead of king ! also wanted dj cambell lol paniked bought kabba. hoskins and ashikodi ??? oh dear. got the feeling the clown wouldnt know a player if one jumped up and slapped him round the chops !!!
time to go boothroyd you idiot ! dont forget he turned down ebanks blake before he went to plymouth. and he wanted sam parkin instead of king ! also wanted dj cambell lol paniked bought kabba. hoskins and ashikodi ??? oh dear. got the feeling the clown wouldnt know a player if one jumped up and slapped him round the chops !!!
Posted by: tiggysdad, St Albans on 1:41pm Mon 28 Apr 08
Does anyone know, is it normal to get a player in on loan without giving him a medical first? To me that sounds plain stupid. If you are going to spend thousands of pounds a week (money it seems we can ill afford) on a player, surely basic common sense dictates that you make sure he is fit enough to play. May be it's just me?!
Does anyone know, is it normal to get a player in on loan without giving him a medical first? To me that sounds plain stupid. If you are going to spend thousands of pounds a week (money it seems we can ill afford) on a player, surely basic common sense dictates that you make sure he is fit enough to play. May be it's just me?!
Posted by: Winston, watford on 2:18pm Mon 28 Apr 08
Derby are tipped to renew their interest in Watford striker Nathan Ellington in the summer after a January approach was turned down.
The Hornets paid West Brom £3.25m for the 26-year-old last summer but Vicarage Road boss [italic][bold]Aidy Boothroyd admits he has not got the best out of him yet[/bold][/italic] .
Rams boss Paul Jewell was keen to be reunited with Ellington during the last transfer window following their time together at Wigan, however Boothroyd has not given up on the frontman.
"I turned down the bid because I believe he can do it," Boothroyd told the Watford Observer.
"If he is the one that gets that goal at Wembley [in a potential play-off final] for us then it will be good business."
He added: "He has an excellent football brain, he can run in behind, he can play in between and pick passes. We haven't found a way to get the best out of him yet."
Derby are tipped to renew their interest in Watford striker Nathan Ellington in the summer after a January approach was turned down.
The Hornets paid West Brom £3.25m for the 26-year-old last summer but Vicarage Road boss
Aidy Boothroyd admits he has not got the best out of him yet .
Rams boss Paul Jewell was keen to be reunited with Ellington during the last transfer window following their time together at Wigan, however Boothroyd has not given up on the frontman.
"I turned down the bid because I believe he can do it," Boothroyd told the Watford Observer.
"If he is the one that gets that goal at Wembley for us then it will be good business."
He added: "He has an excellent football brain, he can run in behind, he can play in between and pick passes. We haven't found a way to get the best out of him yet."
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