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Watford FC: A Clueless Canadian at the Helm of the Golden Boys
Prologue – The ‘True’ Part of the Story
Three months ago, I knew almost nothing about ‘soccer’. Yes, I played for a number of years and was a decent striker on a traveling team here in Niagara Falls, Canada as a youth. However, around the age of 12, I found I had more talent striking a golf ball than a soccer ball (okay, that’s the last time I use the “s-word”) and left the beautiful game, never to play competitively again.
Fast forward to 2003. Sports Interactive hires Risto Remes and as a result, NHL: Eastside Hockey Manager is born. I was a small part of the Eastside team back in the freeware days and Riz asked if I was interested in being one of the Head Researchers for the S.I. release. I obviously accepted.
Through the developmental stages of NHL EHM, I decided to fiddle a bit with the demo version of CM4, just to see how the game worked, how it rated players, etc, in order to better understand how the hockey game would work. I never took it beyond the ‘fiddling’ stage, however. I just didn’t understand CM or football in general: the tactics, the transfer system, the Bosman laws, the idea of loaning players. It was all so…different.
Things changed in September when I got the opportunity to meet with Riz and Sports Interactive’s Managing Director Miles Jacobson in Toronto while doing P.R. on Eastside. In the days leading up to the meeting, I did a bunch of reading on English football, just so I could attempt to hold my own in conversation and not look like a complete idiot. Miles is a HUGE Watford fan and the three of us talked about the Hornets and football in general for a few hours over a couple of drinks.
Something must have stuck because now I’m a huge fan of this great sport and I follow the progress of “The Golden Boys” on a daily basis. I still am pretty clueless on the intricacies of football management and have decided that a good way of learning will be to start my first-ever career with the fresh copy of FM that just arrived.
I suppose I’m setting myself up for embarrassment, having never played the game before. Oh well. I just hope that some CM/FM veterans might read this story and offer tips along the way if things are going bad or if I’m not doing something right.
It’s time to begin my football education…
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Watford Hire Bosela As Manager
Sun. July 11, 2004 (watfordfc.co.uk) -
In what's being seen as a surprise appointment, Watford FC chairman Graham Simpson has named a virtually unknown Canadian as their new manager.
Matthew Bosela, 31, was introduced to fans and journalists alike at a very brief press conference at Vicarage Road earlier this morning. "A virtual unknown? How dare you! I'm a complete unknown!", Bosela declared to nervous laughter from fans and media in attendance before being whisked away by Simpson.
Bosela's appointment comes only days after former manager Ray Lewington's shocking resignation due to personal reasons.
Various media pundits believe that the completely inexperienced Bosela will have trouble attracting the right players needed in order to better challenge the bigger clubs in the future.
Watford supporters at fansite bsad.com have also spoken out against this appointment, with most very skeptical that Bosela can help lead the Hornets to the expected safe, mid-table position in the Championship this season. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
12-12-2004, 12:03 AM
Watford FC: A Clueless Canadian at the Helm of the Golden Boys Post #2
I just wanted to drop a line and welcome you to Vicarage Road. Please don't pay any attention to the media's claims that you're too inexperienced for this position; we wouldn't have hired you if we felt you weren't up for the job.
The board expects you to invest in new players and start rebuilding the team during this season. You will be given a transfer budget of £18,000 to help achieve this goal.
I have a few other requests as well. First of all, I would like to see a report sent in the next day or so with your analysis of every player on the senior and reserve squads. Also, I will expect a pre-game report for every match on our fixture list this year, with your thoughts on training, your expected lineup & tactics, plus an analysis of our opposition.
One more note: you should really place a lot of trust in your assistant manager, the well-respected Nigel Gibbs. Nigel is wonderful with the lads at the Academy and is a good football man. Use him wisely.
Good luck,
Graham Simpson, Chairman, Watford FC
12-12-2004, 01:00 AM
Watford FC: A Clueless Canadian at the Helm of the Golden Boys Post #3
We were scheduled to face Raith, a Scottish club, in a friendly this evening but I decided I needed more time to digest things before going into battle, so the match was cancelled.
You asked me to go over the club's roster and report back to you with my findings.
Goalkeepers:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Alec Chamberlain, GK, 40 years old, English, Uncapped
Joined Club: July 1996 (from Sunderland for £40,000)
2003/04 Stats: Watford (Championship) 23GP (1 as sub) Career Stats: 666GP (3 as sub) Alec isn't just getting up in age, he's there! However, he has just taken on the role of player/coach and will help tutor his successor, Richard Lee, in addition to playing the very occasional game. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Richard Lee, GK, 21 years old, English, Uncapped
Joined Club: March 2001 (from Watford FC Academy)
2003/04 Stats: None Career Stats: 4GP Richard spent last season with the reserves after breaking a bone above his elbow in August. He looks to have the ability to be a fine performer for the club for years to come but it may take time for him to mature both mentally and physically. Our top option at the position. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thoughts:
That's it! Two goalkeepers to choose from, although we have two 16-year olds at the Academy if a problem arises. I may spend sometime looking for another keeper, just in case.
12-12-2004, 01:37 AM
Watford FC: A Clueless Canadian at the Helm of the Golden Boys Post #4
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>James Chambers, D/DM RC, 23 years old, English, Uncapped
Joined Club: July 2004 (from West Bromwich for £250,000)
2003/04 Stats: West Bromwich (Championship) 15GP (3 as sub), 0 goals Career Stats: 73GP (20 as sub), 0 goals Chambers has just arrived at the club, so my fellow coaches don't have an opinion on him one way or the other. He is a hard worker with excellent marking ability and offers me versatility with his ability to play midfield. Will contend for first-team position. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Neil Cox, D RC, 32 years old, English, 6 U21 Caps, 0 U21 goals
Joined Club: November 1999 (from Bolton for £500,000)
2003/04 Stats: Watford (Championship) 35GP, 4 goals Career Stats: 412GP (21 as sub), 31 goals Cox was the skipper of this team for the last two years and provides pretty solid leadership ability along with good technical skills. However, three of my four coaches seem to think he's undeserving of a first-team position. Regardless, he'll get a chance to contend for one. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Jay DeMerit, D C, 24 years old, American, Uncapped
Joined Club: July 2004 (unattached)
2003/04 Stats: None Career Stats: None DeMerit is a former defender with the Chicago Fire from MLS. A hard-working defender but very green. Will likely toil in the reserves this season. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Lloyd Doyley, D RC, 21 years old, English, Uncapped
Joined Club: March 2001 (from Watford FC Academy)
2003/04 Stats: Watford (Championship) 9GP (2 as sub), 0 goals Career Stats: 51GP (12 as sub), 0 goals Doyley has worked his way up through our system and is a contender for a first-team position. My coaching staff to a man feel he's developing into a quality player; very determined and solid technically. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Sean Dyche, SW/D C, 33 years old, English, Uncapped
Joined Club: July 2002 (from Millwall on a Bosman free transfer)
2003/04 Stats: Watford (Championship) 25GP (3 as sub), 0 goals Career Stats: 380GP (9 as sub), 12 goals The influential Dyche is a born leader and extremely hard worker that Hornets fans have come to appreciate. Respected by teammates, Dyche is likely going to captain this squad and man the middle of my defense. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Marcus Gayle, D LC, 33 years old, Jamaican, 14 Caps, 3 goals
Joined Club: August 2001 (from Glasgow Rangers for £900,000)
2003/04 Stats: Watford (Championship) 32GP, 1 goal Career Stats: 517GP (47 as sub), 73 goals Gayle is a converted forward who has played solid defensively since the transition. He's getting up in age but will compete for a first-team position <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Ben Herd, D R, 19 years old, English, Uncapped
Joined Club: March 2003 (from Watford FC Academy)
2003/04 Stats: None Career Stats: None Herd endured an injury-plagued season last year and was a regular fixture on the reserve squad. One of my coaches feels he has great potential and should get first-team duties but my other coaches don't seem to feel the same way. Herd seems really green to me and will likely spend time in the reserves again. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Adrian Mariappa, D C, 17 years old, English, Uncapped
Joined Club: July 2004 (from Watford FC Academy)
2003/04 Stats: None Career Stats: None Mariappa will ply his trade in the reserves this season, although my coaches don't feel he has the ability to become a useful first-team player. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Cameron Mawer, D R, 18 years old, English, Uncapped
Joined Club: July 2004 (from Watford FC Academy)
2003/04 Stats: None Career Stats: None Another academy graduate, Mawer will also get his professional education in our reserve squad. My coaches feel he should get one more year to show his skills; they say that if he doesn't perform, he should be shipped out. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Paul Mayo, D L, 22 years old, English, Uncapped
Joined Club: February 2004 (from Lincoln City for £65,000)
2003/04 Stats: Watford (Championship) 12GP, 0 goals
Lincoln City (English League Two) 31GP, 6 goals Career Stats: 121GP (15 as sub), 7 goals Mayo arrived from Lincoln late last season and provided a steady presence on the left side. Two of my coaches really like him; the other two consider him average. He's got a tremendous throw in and possesses good ball skills and will likely patrol the left fullback position. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Jack Smith, D R, 20 years old, English, Uncapped
Joined Club: February 2002 (from Watford FC Academy)
2003/04 Stats: Watford (Championship) 17GP (1 as sub), 2 goals Career Stats: 18GP (2 as sub), 2 goals Yet another fine Watford Academy grad, Smith is developing nicely and remains a favourite of my coaches. I believe he's still not ready for full-time duty but will get every chance to compete for senior squad status. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Overall Thoughts:
We seem to have nice depth on our backline, with Chambers, Cox, Doyley, Dyche, Gayle, Mayo and Smith showing the ability to be legitimate first-team players. We also have a few lads on the U18 team who could contend for positions in the years to come. Defense is certainly a strength of this team.
12-12-2004, 05:56 AM
Watford FC: A Clueless Canadian at the Helm of the Golden Boys Post #6
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Neil Ardley, D/AM R, 31 years old, English, 10 U21 Caps, 0 U21 goals
Joined Club: August 2002 (free - unattached)
2003/04 Stats: Watford (Championship) 38GP (3 as sub), 1 goal Career Stats: 326GP (34 as sub), 21 goals Ardley is our top choice for set-pieces, showing skill with free kicks and corners. He isn't much of a finisher, however. On the plus side, he offers a bit of versatility with his ability to play defense. The coaches are pretty enamored with him. Will likely garner first-team status. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Dominic Blizzard, D/DM C, 20 years old, English, Uncapped
Joined Club: February 2002 (from Watford FC Academy)
2003/04 Stats: Watford (Championship) 2GP (1 as sub), 1 goal Career Stats: 2GP (1 as sub), 1 goal The young Blizzard has pretty decent defensive capabilities but is still pretty green from an attacking standpoint. My coaches aren’t very high on him from a long-term standpoint, saying he’s a fringe player on the squad. Since I expect to play an up-tempo style, Blizzard may be relegated to the bench and the reserve squad unless he really impresses early. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>James Collins, D/M LC, 19 years old, English, Uncapped
Joined Club: June 2004 (from Watford FC Academy)
2003/04 Stats: None Career Stats: None Collins just graduated from our youth academy but our coaches aren’t high on him. He’ll need experience before getting first team responsibilities and will either get loaned out or relegated to the reserve squad. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Paul Coyne, DM L, 18 years old, English, Uncapped
Joined Club: July 2004 (from Watford FC Academy)
2003/04 Stats: None Career Stats: None Coyne is another recent graduate from our developmental system and even greener than Collins. As such, he’ll either get loaned out or placed on the reserve squad. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Jermaine Darlington, D/AM L, 30 years old, English, Uncapped
Joined Club: July 2004 (Bosman free - unattached)
2003/04 Stats: Milton Keynes Dons (League One) 41GP (1 as sub), 1 goal Career Stats: 176GP (9 as sub), 5 goals Darlington is a pacy, versatile defender/midfielder with a bit of flair but limited finishing ability. I envision him providing depth to the squad and little else. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Paul Devlin, AM R, 32 years old, Scottish, 10 Caps, 0 goals
Joined Club: September 2003 (from Birmingham City for £150,000)
2003/04 Stats: Watford (Championship) 39GP, 3 goals
Birmingham City (English Premier League) 2GP (2 as sub), 0 goals Career Stats: 455GP (54 as sub), 84 goals Popular, attacking winger built in the same mold as Ardley. Devlin is a hard-working player who doesn’t excel in any particular area but is just solid all-around. Will compete for a first-team position and likely be placed in a rotation with Ardley. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Andy Ferrell, DM LC, 20 years old, English, Uncapped
Joined Club: July 2004 (free - unattached)
2003/04 Stats: None Career Stats: None Ferrell just joined Watford after leaving hometown club Newcastle, where he toiled in the reserves. He is a very nice looking prospect, with solid tackling ability and pretty decent ball skills for a defensive-minded player. He will battle for a first-team position, but may toil in the reserves for awhile in order to build stamina. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Brynjar Gunnarsson, D/DM R, 28 years old, Icelandic, 39 Caps, 3 goals
Joined Club: June 2004 (Bosman free - unattached)
2003/04 Stats: Nottingham Forest (Championship) 13GP (4 as sub), 0 goals
Stoke City (Championship) 3GP (2 as sub), 0 goals Career Stats: 156GP (9 as sub), 17 goals Another fine recent signing, Gunnarsson, an Icelandic international, is a combative, hard-working midfielder who will provide excellent cover in the centre for Watford this season. A very feisty player, who seems to be well respected by his new teammates. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Jamie Hand, DM C, 20 years old, English, Uncapped
Joined Club: February 2002 (from Watford FC Academy)
2003/04 Stats: Watford (Championship) 22GP (6 as sub), 0 goals Career Stats: 55GP (15 as sub), 0 goals An enthusiastic, hard-tackling youngster developed through the academy, Hand is full of potential. The coaches to a man feel he’ll become an excellent player for the squad with experience. Since I’m pretty solid already, there’s a good chance I’ll loan Hand out to another squad in order to get first-team experience.. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Gavin Mahon, SW/DM C, 27 years old, English, Uncapped
Joined Club: March 2002 (from Brentford for £150,000)
2003/04 Stats: Watford (Championship) 32GP, 2 goals Career Stats: 207GP (7 as sub), 11 goals Mahon was Watford’s Player of the Year in 2003, putting together many commanding displays on the pitch. A rock in the midfield, Mahon also has strong abilities with set pieces, which can’t hurt. A lock for first-squad status. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Anthony McNamee, AM L, 20 years old, English, Uncapped
Joined Club: February 2002 (from Watford FC Academy)
2003/04 Stats: Watford (Championship) 2 GP (2 as sub), 0 goals Career Stats: 31GP (28 as sub), 1 goal McNamee has great ball skills and pace but lacks effective stamina due to asthma. He’s also quite diminutive and therefore isn’t great defensively. That being said, his explosiveness on attack may serve us well in a backup role and my coaches seem to feel he has room to grow. Likely will hang on as a reserve. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Ashley Young, AM RL, 19 years old, English, Uncapped
Joined Club: March 2003 (from Watford FC Academy)
2003/04 Stats: Watford (Championship) 5GP (5 as sub), 3 goals Career Stats: 5GP (5 as sub), 3 goals Young, a Watford academy grad, made quite the splash in his first season with the club, scoring 3 times in 5 appearances. A very solid prospect offensively with room to improve on the defensive side, Young will get every chance to show he belongs on the senior squad this season. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Overall Thoughts:
I have a nice core in my midfield, especially down the centre with Mahon and Gunnarsson. Devlin, Ardley, Young and Ferrell will battle for spots on the wings. I’m also happy with my prospects at the position, especially Ferrell, Young and Hand. No shortage of depth here!
Watford FC: A Clueless Canadian at the Helm of the Golden Boys 
A Canadian reference! And a beauty, eh? 
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