Watford's Duxbury Pulls Out West Ham Script

Change the record somebody! Whisper in the guy's ear and tell him that he needs a new speech writer. You can't trot out the same script, word for word, without somebody picking up on the fact that you've said it all before!

Here's what Scotty, the Grand Puppet Master, said back in January 2009:

"We have no intention of selling our best players, nor are we telling the manager to do so. It may be that some players are allowed to leave but no one will be going unless the manager thinks it is in the best interests of his team and it is right for the club.

"We must not be afraid of interest in or bids for our leading players. Each approach will be considered in terms of fee, fitness, form and where the manager thinks the player is in his career. Similarly, we have to consider the will of the player and whether he is committed to what we are trying to achieve. This is the only way to operate."

It may be that we have an offer that makes perfect sporting sense. But even then it will only be accepted if we have a replacement lined up who will improve the squad. A bid may be evaluated by the manager as allowing him to significantly improve his team. If he believes that the player in question cannot be replaced, he will not be sold. Players don't have to be sold but it has been clear since the arrival of Gianfranco that he is keen to have a smaller first-team squad based on quality over quantity."

Now what is Scotty claiming in Watford in July 2012?

"We don’t have to sell players but our philosophy, which is the philosophy at Udinese and it is my personal philosophy, is that we should never be scared of selling players when they are at the top of their value, as long as that money is going back into the playing squad."


“Some of the most successful clubs in the world are selling clubs – Manchester United sold Jaap Stam. The question should be not who are you selling but who are you bringing in. “Our philosophy will be not to just hold on to players because we don’t have to sell, which we don’t financially because we are fine, but if the player is at top value and we have identified through our scouting network a better and younger player, then of course we will sell."

 “But the key is that the money won’t be to fund operating losses, it will be to reinvest into the playing squad and make it better. But there is no pressure to sell to fund trading losses. The whole ambition and philosophy of the club has now changed.”

Ok the smaller squad line is missing but that's because the squad is paper thin already! In 2009, Duxbury was speaking after the sale of Bellamy, and at Watford, Mariappa has been offloaded. But not for finanacial reasons you will understand!

Consigliere Duxbury has appointed his nodding dog GianFredo Zola so there will be no complaints from the man in the manager's chair. Watford fans should check out the history of West Ham and worry!