Loan Window "loophole" closes

So the football League at their annual meeting in Portugal (why?) decided to regulate the number of loan signings coming into clubs to 5 in each match day squad from either this country and abroad, thus preventing anyone else from doing a Watford. Some people I know have said to me that it will screw Watford up for next season, but the rule change is a bit like closing the door after the horse has bolted.

You see the only reason Watford brought in 10 loan players from Udinese last season was because the Pozzo family were only able to take over the club at the beginning of August. At the time, The Hornets were under a transfer embargo until 30th August and so would have had one day until the end of the transfer window to sign players. Thus the only realistic way to get players in was to set up loans and process them when the embargo ended. Most of the loan players will sign, I'm told, in the next three or so weeks (after holidays e.t.c) and that will mean that the volume of loan signings that we had last year will not be necessary in order to have a competitive squad for next season.

Wait a minute, I hear some people say! Watford are under a transfer embargo at the present moment , so wont the same thing happen this year. The answer to that is no. Watford are currently under a section 19 transfer embargo. This basically means that we can sign who we want at any time but must be transparent to the Football League and show that all the transactions we complete are following league regulations, so basically all about process. For those that don't know, this is all about our previous owner being a naughty boy and using funds to pay loans without informing the league (against rules) Poor old Mr Bassini has as a result been banned from being involved in football clubs for 3 years.

What the closure of the loan loophole does show is the very short sighted nature of football in this country. We are miles behind other countries in the way our players are comfortable in possession of the ball and the influence of foreign players would certainly help in that nature. Still what is everybody's loss in in effect Watford's gain!

Been thinking a lot recently about revitalising this Blog, which as you see I have not used for a few years, but with change coming at work and exciting times seemingly round the corner for Watford I thought it may well be a great way of capturing my thoughts once again and creating a bit of discussion.

Watch this space..............................................

Decorating!

Bathroom this time - I can't help myself but to have a go myself. In fact i've only decided to update this because I needed a break and the study is next door to the bathroom!!

I'm currently removing all the tile adhesive from where I removed the tiles a couple of weeks ago - anyone who has done this will testify that it is time consuming and a pain in the arse but absolutely essential if you are to do a good job when putting the new tiles up.

If it looks OK I may even post a couple of pictures of it when it's done although I wouldn't expect any picturres for a few days yet!!!!!!!!!!

New Mayor!

Living well away from the capital, I don't get to have a vote at the Mayoral elections. But those that did decided it was time for a change.

Given who I work for I'm not really allowed to have an opinion on this blog about what I think as sites such as this one are monitored by the company "internet police" and an opinion would be seen as inappropiate!

All I will say is that we all need to keep an open mind about the new mayor as a majority of those that give a fig / were able to vote decided that he was the best one for the job.

As for Ken, he wasn't everyones cup of tea but he genuinely cared for London and has done some good things for the residents of the place.

And still the season lingers on............

Watford may well not be champions of the championship yet but they still have an outside chance of reaching the promised land of the premiership.

I just happened to be in Blackpool last Sunday and was the holder of a ticket for the away stand at Bloomfield Road. Stand? Well kind of! The home fans kept appologising for the state of this temporary construction and there were even stories of a rather portly gentleman falling through the ply wood floor a couple of games ago when jumping up and down - suffice to say I stood very still throughout the match!!!!!!!!!

Tommy Smith ensured that the season was prolonged by another 10 days at least by equalising mid way through the second half. Watford now play Hull on Sunday at home and the following Wednesday away (I'll be there even though the boss does not know it yet)!!!!!!!!!

I also took the opportunity on the Saturday to go to a ground I've never visited before - Spotland - Home of Rochdale FC - and saw a rather entertaining 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury Town. Theres a lot to be said for lower league football and I feel more people should try it out for size.

Theres much more to football than the premiership.

Champions (Part 1 of 2?)

My football watching "bit on the side", Kettering Town, overcame AFC Telford 3-0 at the A-Line arena yesterday to become champions of Blue Square North. Could this be one part of a champions double for me personally?

It's still possible, but in my opinion unlikely, following Watford's win, but poor, poor performance yesterday at home to Coventry City. The Golden boys scored their first two goals from open play since 26th february thanks to Nathan Ellington and Tommy Smith and this puts them in 4th place 2 points behind but with a game in hand over Bristol City who are top.

The game in hand is at home to FA Cup semi finalists Barnsley next Wednesday.

Well thank fuck for that!

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_3375942,00.html

Still a bit late for my boys though!