Hornets
Simpson backs Boothroyd
 |
| Graham Simpson |
Graham Simpson has leapt to the defence of Aidy Boothroyd, issuing the manager with a vote of confidence and slamming the boo boys.
The Watford chairman joined the supporters in the stand on Saturday for the first time in five years and listened to the cacophony of boos that followed the 2-0 home to Crystal Palace, a result that virtually ended Watford's hopes of automatic promotion and left them sweating slightly over a play-off place.
But despite a stream of fans calling for the manager's head amid a run of one win in 12 and a scoring sequence that has yielded three goals in the last six home matches, Simpson believes the detractors are among the minority and is adamant he has the right man at the helm to take the team forward.
"I appointed Aidy Boothroyd and I stand by him," said Simpson, who sacked Ray Lewington, Boothroyd's predecessor, after a run of five matches without a win in a season that saw Watford reach the semi-final of the Carling Cup.
"I, and the board, are going to support Aidy. He has tremendous ability and an exceptional talent. I think he is feeling the pressure at this time and you can see that.
"But is this the time when you desert people? Do we turn on the man who has done so much for this club, got us away from relegation, got us to the Premiership, got us to an FA Cup semi-final despite all the disbelievers which included the Watford Observer?
"I'd say to fans, How much did you celebrate when we won the play-off final? How much did you jump up and down and cheer?' I would say, Be loyal'.
"Aidy is a 37-year-old man who achieved so much so early and any of those fans who turn on him I'd say good luck to them. They are not in my tribe. I believe in loyalty and sticking by people."
For the rest of this story, see this week's Watford Observer.
4:59pm Friday 25th April 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: Stewart, LB on 7:01pm Fri 25 Apr 08
Fair play Simpson. A lot of Watford fans are idiots. Football has been woeful recently but FA semi and promotion in 3 years isn't bad! Support him until the end of the season at least or stay away.
Fair play Simpson. A lot of Watford fans are idiots. Football has been woeful recently but FA semi and promotion in 3 years isn't bad! Support him until the end of the season at least or stay away.
Posted by: The enlightened one, Garston on 8:08pm Fri 25 Apr 08
A quick glance at this and I thought it said 'Simpson sacks Boothroyd'.
Oh well we can but dream.
A quick glance at this and I thought it said 'Simpson sacks Boothroyd'.
Oh well we can but dream.
Posted by: Mike, Watford on 8:56pm Fri 25 Apr 08
Graham Simpson is right. Aidy has done a good job in his time here. Let's back him to turn this season around. Sniping at Aidy and booing isn't going to help the team regain its confidence. We can still make the Prem.
Graham Simpson is right. Aidy has done a good job in his time here. Let's back him to turn this season around. Sniping at Aidy and booing isn't going to help the team regain its confidence. We can still make the Prem.
Posted by: rosh99, hereford on 10:51pm Fri 25 Apr 08
What odds for Jose the Special One as the new boss and Sheikh Lotsamoney taking over (I made that last name up you know).
Hornet Rosh
What odds for Jose the Special One as the new boss and Sheikh Lotsamoney taking over (I made that last name up you know).
Hornet Rosh
Posted by: wonderlander, wonderland on 11:12pm Fri 25 Apr 08
What a hypocritical man Simpson is. He talks about loyalty - what about his loyalty to Lewington, the Russo's, Gibbs and all the other guys that helped save the club when it was in dire straits.It wasn't just Simpson, Ashton and Hoofers that enabled the club to be where it is - there were countless others who received no loyal support from the head of the Watford Kremlin. He suppresses free speech, is party to bullsh*t spin and supports a manager who is totally clueless in many respects. There hasn't been entertainment at Vicarage Road for the past two years, his tactics and substitutions are beyond comprehension, and his purchasing skills appalling. He got lucky with Foster and King, bought Carlisle and then sold him when he was probably the best centre half on the books,did well with Henderson but then wanted to offload him, sold Gunnarson, and signed Ellington, Hoskins, Kabba, the guy from Brighton whose name I forget, Devaney, and too many others to mention who didn't make the grade. And Simpson talks about loyalty - what about the fans and investors, don't they deserve some support and loyalty too.
Watford may not be a Premiership club, but for goodness sake serve up some decent football, win or lose, and stop the never ending spin. Yes, Hoofers did take us up for a season, but that could have been as much about luck as skill, and this season has been nothing but dross. But for Johnson, we would be mid-table at best. And could he please explain how the club's finances are so depleted - £40 million for promotion, £8 million for Young, at least £7 million on other transfers (King, Bouazza) - £55 million - where has it gone? And he doesn't speak to the Russo's - what a petty little man.
What a hypocritical man Simpson is. He talks about loyalty - what about his loyalty to Lewington, the Russo's, Gibbs and all the other guys that helped save the club when it was in dire straits.It wasn't just Simpson, Ashton and Hoofers that enabled the club to be where it is - there were countless others who received no loyal support from the head of the Watford Kremlin. He suppresses free speech, is party to bullsh*t spin and supports a manager who is totally clueless in many respects. There hasn't been entertainment at Vicarage Road for the past two years, his tactics and substitutions are beyond comprehension, and his purchasing skills appalling. He got lucky with Foster and King, bought Carlisle and then sold him when he was probably the best centre half on the books,did well with Henderson but then wanted to offload him, sold Gunnarson, and signed Ellington, Hoskins, Kabba, the guy from Brighton whose name I forget, Devaney, and too many others to mention who didn't make the grade. And Simpson talks about loyalty - what about the fans and investors, don't they deserve some support and loyalty too.
Watford may not be a Premiership club, but for goodness sake serve up some decent football, win or lose, and stop the never ending spin. Yes, Hoofers did take us up for a season, but that could have been as much about luck as skill, and this season has been nothing but dross. But for Johnson, we would be mid-table at best. And could he please explain how the club's finances are so depleted - £40 million for promotion, £8 million for Young, at least £7 million on other transfers (King, Bouazza) - £55 million - where has it gone? And he doesn't speak to the Russo's - what a petty little man.
Posted by: Hexham Hornet, Hexham on 8:29am Sat 26 Apr 08
I think the Simpson spin is about what was expected, but to be fair up until November everything in the garden was rosey. Last season was not dire, yes we were struggling in the Premiership, but we did not get humiliated and we held our own when we were fighting well above our weight. The season has gone downhill since Novemeber and I think Aidy and KB must have had a big disagreement as the style started to change to lumping the ball up the middle and not use the wide men. Then KB leaves for family reasons and he has not said anything, good or bad, about his time with Watford. Johnson going was part of the problem, but the loss of KB was key and GS should be aware of this. He has to back his manager, but he also has to let him know that he needs a strong assistant who may be able to help him improve. If the sale of the club goes ahead then there will be changes, and perhaps AB will be on his way, but I still think he will develop into a top manager with the right team around him - but he should not have a team of inexperienced yes men who are there for the ride.
I think the Simpson spin is about what was expected, but to be fair up until November everything in the garden was rosey. Last season was not dire, yes we were struggling in the Premiership, but we did not get humiliated and we held our own when we were fighting well above our weight. The season has gone downhill since Novemeber and I think Aidy and KB must have had a big disagreement as the style started to change to lumping the ball up the middle and not use the wide men. Then KB leaves for family reasons and he has not said anything, good or bad, about his time with Watford. Johnson going was part of the problem, but the loss of KB was key and GS should be aware of this. He has to back his manager, but he also has to let him know that he needs a strong assistant who may be able to help him improve. If the sale of the club goes ahead then there will be changes, and perhaps AB will be on his way, but I still think he will develop into a top manager with the right team around him - but he should not have a team of inexperienced yes men who are there for the ride.
Posted by: wonderlander, wonderland on 10:16am Sat 26 Apr 08
Hexham You make some good points. My post turned into a bit of a rant unfortunately - too much wine I am afraid! But the underlying issue that really irritates me is Simpson's hypocrisy and it still rankles how very loyal and dedicated people at the club have been mistreated. This is made worse by the club's paranoia about criticism of the Board and senior management. And I do think that Boothroyd should be more careful in his comments. It is disrespectful to the supporters, who are not all morons, to keep up the positive spin the whole time which then gets disproved quickly - his comments about Collin John's fitness are a good example.
Yours was a good post - thank you.
Hexham You make some good points. My post turned into a bit of a rant unfortunately - too much wine I am afraid! But the underlying issue that really irritates me is Simpson's hypocrisy and it still rankles how very loyal and dedicated people at the club have been mistreated. This is made worse by the club's paranoia about criticism of the Board and senior management. And I do think that Boothroyd should be more careful in his comments. It is disrespectful to the supporters, who are not all morons, to keep up the positive spin the whole time which then gets disproved quickly - his comments about Collin John's fitness are a good example.
Yours was a good post - thank you.
Posted by: gc on 10:51am Sat 26 Apr 08
I totally agree with Simpson.
We should definatly continue to watch our golden boys and clap and cheer. I for one don't care we get hammered most weeks by average teams, because our style of football is so great. I have yet to see any evidence that we are in freefall and I am happy to be told what to think by our Chairman and Aidy.
We should all be greatful that Aidy won the play offs with his team 2 years ago and not blame him for our current decline. It is not his fault because it is obvious that other people made him buy the players he did, The flood gates will open soon- Aidy said so!
I don't blame Aidy for being nasty to the fans. They have only been here for generations. It is very well known in the game how fickle and nasty WFC fans are, just like Wolves and Newcastle.
I totally agree with Simpson.
We should definatly continue to watch our golden boys and clap and cheer. I for one don't care we get hammered most weeks by average teams, because our style of football is so great. I have yet to see any evidence that we are in freefall and I am happy to be told what to think by our Chairman and Aidy.
We should all be greatful that Aidy won the play offs with his team 2 years ago and not blame him for our current decline. It is not his fault because it is obvious that other people made him buy the players he did, The flood gates will open soon- Aidy said so!
I don't blame Aidy for being nasty to the fans. They have only been here for generations. It is very well known in the game how fickle and nasty WFC fans are, just like Wolves and Newcastle.
Posted by: Tony Coton, Brighton on 11:39am Sat 26 Apr 08
Maybe he does deserve the chance to sort it out. All I know is that Im not paying to watch watford play again until they start giving value for money. Its supposed to be entertaining not dross!
Maybe he does deserve the chance to sort it out. All I know is that Im not paying to watch watford play again until they start giving value for money. Its supposed to be entertaining not dross!
Posted by: wonderlander, wonderland on 1:19pm Sat 26 Apr 08
Hexham You make some good points. My post turned into a bit of a rant unfortunately - too much wine I am afraid! But the underlying issue that really irritates me is Simpson's hypocrisy and it still rankles how very loyal and dedicated people at the club have been mistreated. This is made worse by the club's paranoia about criticism of the Board and senior management. And I do think that Boothroyd should be more careful in his comments. It is disrespectful to the supporters, who are not all morons, to keep up the positive spin the whole time which then gets disproved quickly - his comments about Collin John's fitness are a good example.
Yours was a good post - thank you.
Hexham You make some good points. My post turned into a bit of a rant unfortunately - too much wine I am afraid! But the underlying issue that really irritates me is Simpson's hypocrisy and it still rankles how very loyal and dedicated people at the club have been mistreated. This is made worse by the club's paranoia about criticism of the Board and senior management. And I do think that Boothroyd should be more careful in his comments. It is disrespectful to the supporters, who are not all morons, to keep up the positive spin the whole time which then gets disproved quickly - his comments about Collin John's fitness are a good example.
Yours was a good post - thank you.
Posted by: oblong, Leeds on 4:58pm Sat 26 Apr 08
SACK THE LOSER. Do not care about our Prem stint or Cardiff. I have not enjoyed watching Watford play since Lewington
SACK THE LOSER. Do not care about our Prem stint or Cardiff. I have not enjoyed watching Watford play since Lewington
Posted by: Billie, Kings Langley on 6:31pm Sat 26 Apr 08
Well said Wonderlander.
The academy (Hockaday and Cummins) develop Ashley and Hameur, the trio sack them and blow the money. The Russo's contibute more than anyone (by all acounts including for Marlon) and are told to shove off and then even as second largest shareholders are not spoken to. The ringfenced money turns out not to be ringfenced for the stand...whatever Sage says is in the accounts...although some may have gone on other devlopments to be fair. Even at the AGM there is dissent as to whether the accounts are accurate. GS has absolutely no right to talk about loyalty. People talk about who would takeover from AB. Any manager from the local leagues would have done better with the level of resource he has had this season. However, a step back to the likes of Ray Lew, Gibbsy, and/or Kenny J, would be a huge step forward for many who love this club.
Well said Wonderlander.
The academy (Hockaday and Cummins) develop Ashley and Hameur, the trio sack them and blow the money. The Russo's contibute more than anyone (by all acounts including for Marlon) and are told to shove off and then even as second largest shareholders are not spoken to. The ringfenced money turns out not to be ringfenced for the stand...whatever Sage says is in the accounts...although some may have gone on other devlopments to be fair. Even at the AGM there is dissent as to whether the accounts are accurate. GS has absolutely no right to talk about loyalty. People talk about who would takeover from AB. Any manager from the local leagues would have done better with the level of resource he has had this season. However, a step back to the likes of Ray Lew, Gibbsy, and/or Kenny J, would be a huge step forward for many who love this club.
Posted by: Roger, St Albans on 9:58pm Sat 26 Apr 08
Strange how two people can view the same events and draw opposite conclusions. Wonderlander sees some of the recent behaviour of Mr Simpson as evidence of "disloyalty". I would see it as the opposite. In the first place Simpson was not disloyal to Lewington--he took the bold, difficult and at the time unpopular decision to sack him because he thought he was leading the team towards relegation. Having appointed the new manager, Simpson supported him while he built his own team--which is showing loyalty to the new manager, not disloyalty to the staff who went.After all, why appoint a manager and then refuse to back his judgement in footballing matters. ? Like- wise the transfer comings and goings do not reflect on Simpsons "loyalty/disloyalty" to players, but reflect the fact that he has consistently backed the judgement of his managerial choice on transfer matters. So Simpson is neither hypocritical or disloyal. He has chosen his manager, put his faith in his man's ability and backed his judgement all the way through--which is what a good Chairman should do. The real test will come about half way through next season (assuming both men are still in post) when Simpson may have to make a "Lewington" style decision if the team is still performing as badly as it is now.
Strange how two people can view the same events and draw opposite conclusions. Wonderlander sees some of the recent behaviour of Mr Simpson as evidence of "disloyalty". I would see it as the opposite. In the first place Simpson was not disloyal to Lewington--he took the bold, difficult and at the time unpopular decision to sack him because he thought he was leading the team towards relegation. Having appointed the new manager, Simpson supported him while he built his own team--which is showing loyalty to the new manager, not disloyalty to the staff who went.After all, why appoint a manager and then refuse to back his judgement in footballing matters. ? Like- wise the transfer comings and goings do not reflect on Simpsons "loyalty/disloyalty" to players, but reflect the fact that he has consistently backed the judgement of his managerial choice on transfer matters. So Simpson is neither hypocritical or disloyal. He has chosen his manager, put his faith in his man's ability and backed his judgement all the way through--which is what a good Chairman should do. The real test will come about half way through next season (assuming both men are still in post) when Simpson may have to make a "Lewington" style decision if the team is still performing as badly as it is now.
Posted by: andywatford, watford on 10:43pm Sat 26 Apr 08
time that clown and fraud boothroyd was sacked. birkinshaw was the brain behind our brief good spell. now he takes advise from bassett ????? what do you expect ? talented up coming manager ? f**k off ! why have an advisor like bassett then ? do the right thing GS grow a spine and get rid off this total clown NOW!
time that clown and fraud boothroyd was sacked. birkinshaw was the brain behind our brief good spell. now he takes advise from bassett ????? what do you expect ? talented up coming manager ? f**k off ! why have an advisor like bassett then ? do the right thing GS grow a spine and get rid off this total clown NOW!
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
