Peter Beagrie - Sky Sports Expert

Great expectations

Beagrie talks Football League - and answers YOUR questions

Posted: 06th November 2008 14:59

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aidy boothroyd

Boothroyd: let down by Watford players?

Aidy's departure is symptomatic of the high expectation levels in what has become a ferociously competitive Championship. Sometimes I think boards of directors, chairmen and even fans need to get real.

Peter Beagrie
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It's an oft-used phrase that football is a results-based business but one that has certainly rung true for Aidy Boothroyd. Watford found themselves 21st in the Championship and that wasn't good enough.

The official line may have been that he left by 'mutual consent', and yes, it may have been mooted to Aidy that some players would be allowed to leave in January but, in my opinion, his departure is reflective of the position the Hornets have found themselves in.

If they had been sat in mid-table, or a few points behind the play-off places, Aidy would still be at Vicarage Road. They only suffered nine defeats during the 2005/6 campaign that brought promotion; well, they've had eight already.

Having said that, Aidy's got a decent record with Watford: played 176, won 65, drawn 60, lost 51. He got them promoted to the Premier League against the odds; they should never have been there, so if you take his top-flight losses out of the equation, his percentage wins in the Championship is incredible really.

Responsibility

And I think the players have to take part of the responsibility.

A lot was made of the fact that Watford tried to change their style of play from the long-ball formula that was tried and tested and which worked so well under Graham Taylor.

There were rumours of dressing room unrest and it was the players who were apparently behind that change, yet many of those players have let Aidy down. One of the only constants among a flurry of individual errors and inconsistent performances has been Tommy Smith, who, in my eyes, has been a revelation once again with his goals, attitude and application.

Aidy will go away with a hefty pay-out but that isn't important in a game that is all about reputations. He has had a meteoric rise, from Leeds coach to Premier League manager, albeit briefly, but he's still a very talented coach and a man that commands respect.

Whether he comes back at Championship level or not - because I know he's already attracted plenty of interest - is up to him to decide, but it won't be long before he's back in the game.

Realism

Aidy's departure is symptomatic of the high expectation levels in what has become a ferociously competitive Championship.

Every team down to seventh or eighth seems to harbour genuine promotion aspirations and sometimes I think boards of directors, chairmen and even fans need to get real a bit.

Gary Johnson massively overachieved at Bristol City last year and part of me fears for those managers that do fantastically well against the odds; they're judged by that level of success and yet it's always more difficult the following season.

The signing of Stern John is certainly an astute one, and I think Nicky Maynard has a great future in the game but a top hit-man like Kevin Doyle - who I think will easily get 20 goals this season - is the difference between Bristol City and the likes of Reading, Birmingham and Wolves.

Yet with Gary at the helm, I wouldn't put it past Bristol City to get another play-off berth this year. He's a pleasure to deal with, he talks from the heart, his attention to detail is tremendous and he makes sure his signings have the right temperament, as well as the technical ability.

Losing Nick Carle, who gave them that bit of creativity in behind the strikers, was a blow but the Robins have been strong and resolute in defence, at least until that rout by Reading. They were not only outplayed but outfought - and you don't often hear that said about a Bristol City side.

Response

Gary apparently gave his players a real rollicking, so you'd expect them to come out all guns blazing at St. Mary's. Bradley Orr's contribution will certainly be important; I think he's the best full-back in the division, raiding down that right-hand side.

I believe Reading was a one-off so how they respond will certainly be interesting; I fancy set-pieces to be the key to victory for them on Saturday.

The financial restraints at Southampton have been well documented but I have tremendous respect for Jan Poortvliet for allowing the younger players like Oscar Gobern, Andrew Surmon and David McGoldrick - who has the ability to turn a game by himself - to flourish. I just hope the pressure isn't too much for them.

To come back from 2-0 down to beat Preston 3-2 was incredible and hopefully it will be a turning point because but for those two goals by Stern John against Sheffield United, the Saints would have been relegated instead of Leicester.

I've often looked at Southampton and thought they only know one way to play and that's with the ball on the floor, from back to front through the middle of the park. It's great to watch when it comes off but they run the risk of being steamrolled by more physical teams, which makes the Preston result even more impressive.

I didn't know first-hand that much about Poortvliet but I've been told he's held in high regards as a coach, and I think a foreign influence on the young lads coming through is tremendous. The Saints' prospects this season won't rest on his ability as a manager but, in light of the resources at his disposal, his inexperienced players' ability to cope with the rigours of what I believe to be the hardest division of all.

Peter answers your questions...

BODDE BLOW?
Hi Peter, Ferrie Bodde off to Bolton in January? Few rumours going around about that one. Just wondered what you thought of the man who cost us just £85,000 and how much you think he is worth in today's climate. Gary Sinclair, Swansea
PETER REPLIES: I've often waxed lyrical about Ferrie, Gary. I think his range of passing is tremendous, he scores incredible goals and in terms of his vision, he takes an instant picture and then picks out his pass. The only question mark is over his temperament; he does like his crunching tackles - six yellow cards and two reds last year. It would surprise neither I, nor Roberto Martinez to find a few top-flight clubs sniffing round him and I'm sure other Championship sides wouldn't mind paying a couple of million for him, being a midfielder that scores goals, either. In my book, he's one of two outstanding talents in centre-midfield in the Championship, along with Derby's Miles Addison.

IN A STU
Peter, I was a neutral observer of the Derby and Forest match last week so it didn't affect me when Stuart Attwell disallowed two injury-time goals but I wondered what you made of his performance, especially considering it was his first game after the Vicarage Road debacle. Do you think he's been given too much too soon? I have to say I worry about the effect on fellow up and coming young refs when you read how much he's been slated in the press. David Jones, Southampton
PETER REPLIES: I agree it's not nice to see him get stick, David. The goal that never was at Vicarage Road was embarassing, although the first disallowed one at Pride Park was more to do with the linesman than Stuart Attwell. He moved his gaze and denied Derby a perfectly good goal by Miles Addison. It wasn't even a penalty; the ball hit Luke Chambers in the thigh/midriff area and he moved his arms backwards as a reaction so to avoid any infringement. Attwell then disallowed a second header from Addison but the only real infringement there was that Wes Morgan fouled someone in the six-yard box so that actually could have been a penalty instead of the disallowed goal! Unfortunately he got the major decisions wrong and I can understand Paul Jewell's frustration. I also think too much has been asked of Stuart. Because of his age, and the fact that he's been held up as the next big thing, the focus has been on him more than it would be normally. But I know that Keith Hackett thinks a lot of him so we'll just have to wait and see how he performs in forthcoming games.

To send Peter a question, send an email to skysportsclub@bskyb.com or use the feedback form below...

Comments

Ivor Dugdale-jenkins (Southampton fan) says...

Hi Peter...Like you, I agree that Jan is a good Head Coach for Southampton, but these things take time. I have been a supporter of Saints for almost 60 years, through the good and the bad times...and will go on supporting them. Youth is the way forward, if they are good enough (look at Arsenal !!)...but the Manager has to be given time...not only by the Board, but also by the fans. Fair weather fans are not what the lads need now...they need support, and if they get it (win or lose), they will start winning matches at St Marys.

Posted 13:55 12th November 2008

Martin F (Bristol City fan) says...

There seems to be a lot of talk about unrest amongst fans at Ashton Gate and the wave of expectation that came with our unexpected play off place last season. I would like to point out though that this is largely amongst a minority of fans, which have only been following the club in the last couple of seasons, who have now come to expect instant success having seen us promoted in 2006/2007 and reach the play off final in the Championship in 2007/2008. I, and I think many other football fans in general, and not just my fellow City fans, hold Gary Johnson in the highest regard and fully believe that he is the best manager outside of the Premier League by a mile. Much is made of Paul Ince and what he did in the lower leagues, but when you compare it to Gary's successes both at Yeovil Town and Bristol City, it pales by comparison. All bar a major meltdown I belive Gary's place at the helm of Bristol City is guaranteed for as long as he wants it.

Posted 12:25 8th November 2008

Peter Hodgins (Watford fan) says...

Ed Taylor where do you get your facts? Im sure Boothroyd wasted £3.25 m on Ellington who scored 4 goals all season. Im sure we spent more than a million on Francis. We also gave big contracts to Poom and Jackson. Jackson on a 10k 2yr deal whilst Clarke Carlisle was allowed to leave for a pathetic £200k! These are just a few of the poor dealings. Once Boothroyd had money he wasted it. And after 2 seasons of shocking football which saw 4000 whiped off the average attendence (me included) it was time he went.

Posted 10:15 8th November 2008

Jack Schofield (Coventry City fan) says...

Hi Peter Do you belive that goal-line technology should be put in after the Birmingham "goal" was not given?

Posted 17:02 7th November 2008

Guto Llewelyn (Swansea City fan) says...

Peter I'm not too happy that you, along with a few other pundits are starting to notice Ferrie Bodde! The man is a midfield genius, and we would appreciate it if you kept quiet about him, so that we may have a chance of holding onto the "Dutch Roy Keane" as he's known in Holland. Also, I have to say, I don't sympathise with young ref Stuart Attwell anywhere near as much as you do. Swansea had him twice at home last season; once against Gillingham, and once against Havant and Waterlooville in the FA Cup. The H&W match was the most badly refereed game I'd ever seen. Attwell had no spine when dealing with ferocious two-footed tackles and ignored blatant attempts to injure out players, including a two-footed tackle that resulted in torn ligaments, a stamp that resulted in shin-splints and a finger in Darryl Duffy's eye during a fight. The FA appointed Attwell as a Premier League ref blindly, in order to appeal to more youngster to become referees. They're now regretting their decision, as Attwell makes a fool of himself time and time again.

Posted 16:34 7th November 2008

Luke C (Derby County fan) says...

Very pleased that Peter has recognised the emergence on Miles Addison as a great talent in the English game, delivered exactly what Derby needed all last season, and what Savage couldnt bring, in a bit of nails in midfield, along with th ability to play a good ball. If Derby had been successful in their bid for Bodde the strength in midfield would be sublime with Paul Green also doing an excellent job. I believe we look a much stronger a side in that we play as a unit and are able to grind out results even when the performance is poor, and even more pleasing is the fact that there are good performances to behold! and just a note on sunday both teams were poor, Atwell did have a shocker at the end but was inconsistent throughout and think the FA have rushed him through as a poster boy and need to take decisions on referee's performances much more seriously.

Posted 05:55 7th November 2008

Nik Watkins (Nottingham Forest fan) says...

Peter, As to your comments about the Forest - Derby match do you not also think that you should add the fact that Forest had a few things against them aswell such as off sides given when the shouldnt of been, the sending off shouldnt of been i mean in a local derby game like this you expect some sort of trouble but i think it was harsh. Last thing if you look at Derby's first goal it shouldnt of been anyway dur to him being off side. Anyway with bing a Forest fan i just thought i would mention a few things from our side aswell. Thanks

Posted 00:57 7th November 2008

Gerard Thornton (Derby County fan) says...

Peter, was not happy to see derby drawing against forest . There should have been a more experienced ref doin that much and taking addison's "goals" off him like that was bad for a young derby man. Bring graham poll back!!

Posted 22:42 6th November 2008

Ed Taylor (Watford fan) says...

I agree football is a results business but it's also true to say it's a financial business; the two go hand in hand. What Watford have done to Aidy Boothroyd simply is unforgiveable. He has done a fantastic job at the club. They were on bad form, but a win and some confidence would have put them back on track. Not even championship teams can stick by their managers in the bad times! On top of all of this Aidy was made to get rid of 13 first team players. 68 million was brought in from premier league and transfers alone and yet not a penny spent on players. This is ridiculous. And the board have the cheek to sack one of the most talented managers around. The club has been up for sale for some time so i cannot understand why they choose now to sack the manager? I think the board are senseless and now Watford are in a far less attractive position. I would almost bet on relegation, whereas before we would have stayed clear. I just can't get my head round it to be honest!

Posted 18:31 6th November 2008

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