Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Mariappa Contract Extended
With one year left on his current contract, Adrian Mariappa will extend his stay at Watford through the end of the 2012 season.
Reorganization
With another season in the Championship secured, the long-anticipated financial reorganization of the club has been proposed. In a nutshell:
£8.632 million in existing debt will be replaced by £10.142 million, raising £1.51 million in operating cash. The increased amount will come from Fordwat, Lord Ashcroft's ownership vehicle.
The debt matures in 364 days and is secured by Vicarage Road Stadium. Currently only the £5.99 million Fordwat debt is secured. Additionally, each £1 face value of the bonds comes with 20 detachable warrants that can be exercised at a nearly 50% discount to the current stock price of the holding company. Exercise of the warrants will dilute the current ownership by 84% and are good for five years.
Additionally, the notice of the restructuring states that the club will need to sell player contracts as well to maintain viability, so expect action during the summer transfer window.
£8.632 million in existing debt will be replaced by £10.142 million, raising £1.51 million in operating cash. The increased amount will come from Fordwat, Lord Ashcroft's ownership vehicle.
The debt matures in 364 days and is secured by Vicarage Road Stadium. Currently only the £5.99 million Fordwat debt is secured. Additionally, each £1 face value of the bonds comes with 20 detachable warrants that can be exercised at a nearly 50% discount to the current stock price of the holding company. Exercise of the warrants will dilute the current ownership by 84% and are good for five years.
Additionally, the notice of the restructuring states that the club will need to sell player contracts as well to maintain viability, so expect action during the summer transfer window.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Reading (3-0) 13-12-20 51 pts.
Three IS the magic number!
Three goals for the Hornets and three points keep Watford in the Championship for another year!
In a match that was all Hornets, Danny Graham & Heidar Helguson drove the goal production for the day. Thirty minutes in, a Helguson header was headed into the net by Graham from 6 yards out to give Watford the lead they carried into the half.
Coming out of the break, Helguson left-footed a goal of his own into the Reading net from 12 yards out, followed by yet another Graham goal (also unassisted) eight minutes later.
After more than a few matches where Watford out-played their opponent and lost, it was a treat to see them get their due today.
On losing at Cardiff City, Shefield Wednesday needs a win to stay up and send next week's opponent, Crystal Palace, to League One.
Watford, of course, has one more match next week as well at Coventry City. That match kicks off at 9:00am St. Louis time May 1.
Three goals for the Hornets and three points keep Watford in the Championship for another year!
In a match that was all Hornets, Danny Graham & Heidar Helguson drove the goal production for the day. Thirty minutes in, a Helguson header was headed into the net by Graham from 6 yards out to give Watford the lead they carried into the half.
Coming out of the break, Helguson left-footed a goal of his own into the Reading net from 12 yards out, followed by yet another Graham goal (also unassisted) eight minutes later.
After more than a few matches where Watford out-played their opponent and lost, it was a treat to see them get their due today.
On losing at Cardiff City, Shefield Wednesday needs a win to stay up and send next week's opponent, Crystal Palace, to League One.
Watford, of course, has one more match next week as well at Coventry City. That match kicks off at 9:00am St. Louis time May 1.
Friday, April 23, 2010
The Penultimate
Two matches left and I'll go through the scenarios below - but first:
Jay Demerit will be out tomorrow with an abdominal injury but expected to be back at Coventry City. Don Cowie is iffy for Reading.
Watford still need three points to clinch survival but:
If Watford Lose Both Matches
Sheffield Wednesday must win at least one match * and Crystal Place must draw at least one.
If Watford Draws One Match
Sheffield Wednesday must win at least one match * and Crystal Palace must draw both or win one.
If Watford Draws Both Matches
Both teams must win tomorrow and draw against each other next week.
* Assumes Watford does not blow the five goal difference advantage they have on Sheffield Wednesday.
Jay Demerit will be out tomorrow with an abdominal injury but expected to be back at Coventry City. Don Cowie is iffy for Reading.
Watford still need three points to clinch survival but:
If Watford Lose Both Matches
Sheffield Wednesday must win at least one match * and Crystal Place must draw at least one.
If Watford Draws One Match
Sheffield Wednesday must win at least one match * and Crystal Palace must draw both or win one.
If Watford Draws Both Matches
Both teams must win tomorrow and draw against each other next week.
* Assumes Watford does not blow the five goal difference advantage they have on Sheffield Wednesday.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
QPR (0-1) 12-12-20 48 pts.
Needing just three points to stay in the Championship for another year, Watford failed to produce even one, falling victim to a penalty shot at Loftus Road.
An injured Jay DeMerit & Don Cowie saw Martin Taylor in defense and Stephen McGinn in midfield.
A fairly even match for the first 38 minutes broke open with a Adrian Mariappa foul on Dusko Tusic. Taking the penalty shot, Akos Buzasky put QPR ahead.
Malky Mackay, recognizing the need for a point, made two offensive substitutions at the half, Dale Bennett for Lloyd Doyley and young Martin Sordell for McGinn. The fresh legs saw more aggressive play from the Hornets, moving the action about 10 yards down the pitch.
Eventually the push ran out of steam and the Rangers held off the visiting squad.
The loss leaves the Hornets a scant two points ahead of Sheffield Wednesday with two games left - this Saturday at Vicarage Road against Reading and May Day at Coventry City. Saturday's kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
An injured Jay DeMerit & Don Cowie saw Martin Taylor in defense and Stephen McGinn in midfield.
A fairly even match for the first 38 minutes broke open with a Adrian Mariappa foul on Dusko Tusic. Taking the penalty shot, Akos Buzasky put QPR ahead.
Malky Mackay, recognizing the need for a point, made two offensive substitutions at the half, Dale Bennett for Lloyd Doyley and young Martin Sordell for McGinn. The fresh legs saw more aggressive play from the Hornets, moving the action about 10 yards down the pitch.
Eventually the push ran out of steam and the Rangers held off the visiting squad.
The loss leaves the Hornets a scant two points ahead of Sheffield Wednesday with two games left - this Saturday at Vicarage Road against Reading and May Day at Coventry City. Saturday's kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Cleverley Named Player of the Year
Manchester United loanee Tom Cleverley was named Player of the Season. Cleverley is sitting out the rest of season with a knee injury.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
AC St. Louis Home Debut
Men's Pro Soccer is Back in St. Louis!
Mr. & Mrs. Mojo picked me up last night and off we went to Soccer Park to join the sold-out crowd for the inaugural home match of AC St. Louis
The home squad was downed 2-1, but I think the night would have to be called a success.
AC spent the first 20 or so minutes in their own end, the midfield - definitely the weak spot in this squad - unable to transition play to the forwards. It was only a matter of time before the Austin Aztex scored and the inevitable came in the 37th minute as Eddie Johnson redirected a loping Jamie Watson shot into the net.
AC regrouped and linked together about three plays on goal, finally equalizing on an Anthony O'Garro strike from about 12 yards out.
The match went into the half 1-1 and I managed to miss the decisive goal from Leonard Griffin eleven minutes in as I was coming back from concessions (more on that later).
The stars of the match may have been the supporters (ultras? hooligans?), United Knights, keeping up a constant chant and supplying the firecrackers and smoke bombs to celebrate the goal.
The entire atmosphere was terrific despite Soccer United's shortcomings. For those who have not been there (and that included me) the stadium is built up on the west side with concession & restroom facilities. A kid's area with activities is on the north end. The east stands (the cheap seats) partially wrap around and abbreviated concessions, Johnnys-on-the-spot, and a smoking area is available if you don't want to make the short trip to the other side.
The seating is all bleacher, including the premium ($65) dollar seats. The east stand is $15 and, aside from closer proximity to the loo, the only difference is the blinding sunset facing the east stand. Bring a jacket (and, I suspect, bug spray as the summer wears on) as the facility is on the Meramec River and it gets chilly when the sun goes down.
Parking at the facility is very limited, but some industrial lots are available nearby. For how long is another matter. We (Mr. Mojo - thanks again for driving) parked at Champion but were disappointed to see fellow fans leaving their beer bottles in the lot. No long before that gets old for the neighbors. The parking was not presented well on the website, something I brought up on the AC St. Louis Facebook page.
Which brings me to the management:
They seriously need to hire someone who can run a pro sports team if they want a shot at expansion into MLS. Despite anticipating a sell-out, the souvenir stand was woefully understaffed and after waiting in line, sold out of the popular items. Did you think no one was coming? The concessions - also lengthy and sold out of items. C'mon guys - you're turning away money here. This is how I missed the winning goal. In all, the feel was more of a high-school football game than a professional sporting match charging $65 a seat. Not that I didn't have fun & I WILL be back - I just want to see these guys succeed. And then there's Facebook.
In a message I would guess made in part to drum up pre-game revenue, the club cited the lack of parking as a reason to come early. Not having been to Soccer Park, I wrote a post stressing that haphazard parking arrangements and a stressful experience - towing was mentioned - was not the way to get people coming back or to stay in business (I admit I am scarred by my first trip to Riverport - we parked in a muddy cornfield and it took three hours to leave the concert. I did not go back for five years).
I was wrong. We came fairly close to kick-off and parking was not a problem in the aforementioned lot. I would like to apologize to the club for my incorrect assessment of the situation.
I would like to, but I can't.
You see, my original post and another post I made were removed from the club's 'wall'. In addition, I've been barred from making any more posts. There was no profanity, just thin skins on someone's part.
Despite all that, Go! Enjoy yourselves and let's show MLS what St. Louis can do.
Mr. & Mrs. Mojo picked me up last night and off we went to Soccer Park to join the sold-out crowd for the inaugural home match of AC St. Louis
The home squad was downed 2-1, but I think the night would have to be called a success.
AC spent the first 20 or so minutes in their own end, the midfield - definitely the weak spot in this squad - unable to transition play to the forwards. It was only a matter of time before the Austin Aztex scored and the inevitable came in the 37th minute as Eddie Johnson redirected a loping Jamie Watson shot into the net.
AC regrouped and linked together about three plays on goal, finally equalizing on an Anthony O'Garro strike from about 12 yards out.
The match went into the half 1-1 and I managed to miss the decisive goal from Leonard Griffin eleven minutes in as I was coming back from concessions (more on that later).
The stars of the match may have been the supporters (ultras? hooligans?), United Knights, keeping up a constant chant and supplying the firecrackers and smoke bombs to celebrate the goal.
The entire atmosphere was terrific despite Soccer United's shortcomings. For those who have not been there (and that included me) the stadium is built up on the west side with concession & restroom facilities. A kid's area with activities is on the north end. The east stands (the cheap seats) partially wrap around and abbreviated concessions, Johnnys-on-the-spot, and a smoking area is available if you don't want to make the short trip to the other side.
The seating is all bleacher, including the premium ($65) dollar seats. The east stand is $15 and, aside from closer proximity to the loo, the only difference is the blinding sunset facing the east stand. Bring a jacket (and, I suspect, bug spray as the summer wears on) as the facility is on the Meramec River and it gets chilly when the sun goes down.
Parking at the facility is very limited, but some industrial lots are available nearby. For how long is another matter. We (Mr. Mojo - thanks again for driving) parked at Champion but were disappointed to see fellow fans leaving their beer bottles in the lot. No long before that gets old for the neighbors. The parking was not presented well on the website, something I brought up on the AC St. Louis Facebook page.
Which brings me to the management:
They seriously need to hire someone who can run a pro sports team if they want a shot at expansion into MLS. Despite anticipating a sell-out, the souvenir stand was woefully understaffed and after waiting in line, sold out of the popular items. Did you think no one was coming? The concessions - also lengthy and sold out of items. C'mon guys - you're turning away money here. This is how I missed the winning goal. In all, the feel was more of a high-school football game than a professional sporting match charging $65 a seat. Not that I didn't have fun & I WILL be back - I just want to see these guys succeed. And then there's Facebook.
In a message I would guess made in part to drum up pre-game revenue, the club cited the lack of parking as a reason to come early. Not having been to Soccer Park, I wrote a post stressing that haphazard parking arrangements and a stressful experience - towing was mentioned - was not the way to get people coming back or to stay in business (I admit I am scarred by my first trip to Riverport - we parked in a muddy cornfield and it took three hours to leave the concert. I did not go back for five years).
I was wrong. We came fairly close to kick-off and parking was not a problem in the aforementioned lot. I would like to apologize to the club for my incorrect assessment of the situation.
I would like to, but I can't.
You see, my original post and another post I made were removed from the club's 'wall'. In addition, I've been barred from making any more posts. There was no profanity, just thin skins on someone's part.
Despite all that, Go! Enjoy yourselves and let's show MLS what St. Louis can do.
Leicester City (1-4) 12-12-19 48 pts.
Ahh - where to start on this beat down?
I put off the report until the Sheffield Derby was decided (or not, as was the case - it ending in a 1-1 draw) and Watford's spot on the table was determined. We are still out of the relegation zone with three matches left, but not by much. Three meager points separate us from Sheffield Wednesday and one from Crystal Palace (but with an additional match in both cases).
The schedule certainly favors Watford as Wednesday & Palace face each other on the last day and Plymouth would need to beat either the No. 1 or No. 3 team at the very least.
But back to Saturday's debacle.
Poor officiating marred the entire match but no more so when a sliding Jay DeMerit challange was called a penalty and Martyn Waghorn sent Scott Loach the wrong way with nine minutes left in the half.
The other three goals were all the Hornet's fault however.
Unable to regroup, the Hornets let Paul Gallagher plunk one into the bottom left of the net to put the lead at 2-0. Steve Howard walked up Ross Jenkins' back minutes later and kept walking with a red card in tow leaving Leicester down a man for the second half.
Despite the advantage, Loach let in two more goals before Martin Taylor was able to salvage some Watford pride in the 78th minute.
The next match is Tuesday, April 20 at QPR in what is being touted as a relegation battle. QPR is not in immediate danger and the battle will be to salvage some points out of this match. Kickoff is 2:00 pm St. Louis time.
I put off the report until the Sheffield Derby was decided (or not, as was the case - it ending in a 1-1 draw) and Watford's spot on the table was determined. We are still out of the relegation zone with three matches left, but not by much. Three meager points separate us from Sheffield Wednesday and one from Crystal Palace (but with an additional match in both cases).
The schedule certainly favors Watford as Wednesday & Palace face each other on the last day and Plymouth would need to beat either the No. 1 or No. 3 team at the very least.
But back to Saturday's debacle.
Poor officiating marred the entire match but no more so when a sliding Jay DeMerit challange was called a penalty and Martyn Waghorn sent Scott Loach the wrong way with nine minutes left in the half.
The other three goals were all the Hornet's fault however.
Unable to regroup, the Hornets let Paul Gallagher plunk one into the bottom left of the net to put the lead at 2-0. Steve Howard walked up Ross Jenkins' back minutes later and kept walking with a red card in tow leaving Leicester down a man for the second half.
Despite the advantage, Loach let in two more goals before Martin Taylor was able to salvage some Watford pride in the 78th minute.
The next match is Tuesday, April 20 at QPR in what is being touted as a relegation battle. QPR is not in immediate danger and the battle will be to salvage some points out of this match. Kickoff is 2:00 pm St. Louis time.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Injury/Suspension News
Henri Lansbury & Jon Harley return from suspension for the match tomorrow while Heidar Hulguson is doubtful. Tom Cleverley is out for the season.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Plymouth Argyle (1-0) 12-12-18 48 pts.
A Heidar Helguson goal five minutes into the second half and losses from Scunthorpe United, Crystal Palace, and Sheffield Wednesday have boosted the Hornets three points clear of the relegation zone and into 19th place.
With a rash of injuries and a suspension, Malky Mackay shook things up, fielding Dale Bennett in defense, Ross Jenkins & Steve McGinn in midfield & Danny Graham joining Helguson up front.
The squads played tentative, uninspired football for the first half, neither squad taking much risk. In the 50th minute however, Helguson found a rebound of a Don Cowie shot to score from six yards out. Unlike recent matches, Watford gave nothing up in the final minutes and extended its season-long record of not losing when they score first.
The next match is next Saturday away at Leicester City. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
With a rash of injuries and a suspension, Malky Mackay shook things up, fielding Dale Bennett in defense, Ross Jenkins & Steve McGinn in midfield & Danny Graham joining Helguson up front.
The squads played tentative, uninspired football for the first half, neither squad taking much risk. In the 50th minute however, Helguson found a rebound of a Don Cowie shot to score from six yards out. Unlike recent matches, Watford gave nothing up in the final minutes and extended its season-long record of not losing when they score first.
The next match is next Saturday away at Leicester City. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Cleverley Out for the Season
Massively vital midfield loanee Tom Cleverley will miss the remainder of the 2009-2010 season with a knee ligament injury.
Monday, April 05, 2010
West Bromwich Albion (1-1) 11-12-18 45 pts
With Martin Taylor, & Heidar Helguson injured & Henri Lansbury suspended for two matches, Watford invited top-of-the-table challengers West Bromwich Albion to Vicarage Road.
Lee Hodson was the new face in defense with Don Cowie in midfield and Danny Graham up front.
A fairly even match, well-played by both squads with few scoring opportunities, left the score nil-nil at the half.
Even play continued well past the hour mark with the only flurry of activity coming off a Jon Harley free kick & subsequent rebounds.
The flavor of the whole match changed with eleven minutes left as Harley was dismissed for a second yellow card, leaving the Hornets a man down and no substitutions left. In spite of the disability, Graham volleyed a Cowie header into the lower left of the WBA goal and the Hornets fans erupted. Unfortunately with all the injuries, six minutes were added on to regular play and in the sixth, Chris Brunt headed in the equalizer in from six yards out (asst. Andwele Slory).
The draw, coupled with a Sheffield Wednesday loss, kept Watford out of relegation territory on goal difference as Crystal Palace downed Preston North End 2-1.
Perhaps the worst news of the day came in the 67th minute with Tom Cleverley being stretchered off with a serious, possibly season-ending, leg injury.
The Hornets host Plymouth Argyle Saturday, April 10. Expect more line-up changes for the ailing Watford side. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
Lee Hodson was the new face in defense with Don Cowie in midfield and Danny Graham up front.
A fairly even match, well-played by both squads with few scoring opportunities, left the score nil-nil at the half.
Even play continued well past the hour mark with the only flurry of activity coming off a Jon Harley free kick & subsequent rebounds.
The flavor of the whole match changed with eleven minutes left as Harley was dismissed for a second yellow card, leaving the Hornets a man down and no substitutions left. In spite of the disability, Graham volleyed a Cowie header into the lower left of the WBA goal and the Hornets fans erupted. Unfortunately with all the injuries, six minutes were added on to regular play and in the sixth, Chris Brunt headed in the equalizer in from six yards out (asst. Andwele Slory).
The draw, coupled with a Sheffield Wednesday loss, kept Watford out of relegation territory on goal difference as Crystal Palace downed Preston North End 2-1.
Perhaps the worst news of the day came in the 67th minute with Tom Cleverley being stretchered off with a serious, possibly season-ending, leg injury.
The Hornets host Plymouth Argyle Saturday, April 10. Expect more line-up changes for the ailing Watford side. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
Saturday, April 03, 2010
Preston North End (1-1) 11-11-18 44 pts
The Hornets tread water in the standings with a draw against the Lilywhites today.
A weary Jay DeMerit was given a rest with Dale Bennett filling in. The Hornets controlled the first half, notching the first goal of the day as a long pass from Heidar Helguson found Will Buckley who right-footed it in from 6 yards out.
Unfortunately, Preston had the magic end of the pitch after the half and took control in the second half, Callum Davidson equalizing after eight minutes with a header into the top of the goal (Keith Treacy asst.).
Watford's poor luck continued as Henri Lansbury picked up his tenth yellow, costing him a suspension against WBA on Monday and Plymouth Argyle next Saturday. Adding injury to insult, Lansbury limped off with ten minutes left, the extent of injuries unknown.
Draws by Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace leave us a point above relegation.
A battered Hornets will face West Bromwich Albion on Monday, April 5. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
A weary Jay DeMerit was given a rest with Dale Bennett filling in. The Hornets controlled the first half, notching the first goal of the day as a long pass from Heidar Helguson found Will Buckley who right-footed it in from 6 yards out.
Unfortunately, Preston had the magic end of the pitch after the half and took control in the second half, Callum Davidson equalizing after eight minutes with a header into the top of the goal (Keith Treacy asst.).
Watford's poor luck continued as Henri Lansbury picked up his tenth yellow, costing him a suspension against WBA on Monday and Plymouth Argyle next Saturday. Adding injury to insult, Lansbury limped off with ten minutes left, the extent of injuries unknown.
Draws by Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace leave us a point above relegation.
A battered Hornets will face West Bromwich Albion on Monday, April 5. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Watford Awarded 10 Points for 'Sound Fiscal Management'
In a surprise move, Andy Williamson, Chief Operating Office of the Football League, announced that Watford would be granted ten points in the League standings for "sound fiscal management".
"We feel the club has exhibited prudence in selling off all its talented players," said Williamson, "and refusing to spend a single farthing on any sort of talent whatsoever. We think it only fitting Watford be given the ten points Crystal Palace were docked for entering administration."
The points put the Hornets in eleventh place behind Sheffield United, eight points shy of playoff territory.
"We feel the club has exhibited prudence in selling off all its talented players," said Williamson, "and refusing to spend a single farthing on any sort of talent whatsoever. We think it only fitting Watford be given the ten points Crystal Palace were docked for entering administration."
The points put the Hornets in eleventh place behind Sheffield United, eight points shy of playoff territory.
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