Championship 2013/2014 Stuff it in here.

[The Doctor]

We haven't broken any rules though...

 

As for the spirit of the sport - well football has long past being a game with morals and fair play!

 

Is running up millions pounds worth of debt fair..?

 

There's the rule against multiple ownership of clubs that you've sort of broken by putting the clubs under different name: Dad owns one, son owns the other officially, but in practise that's not the case.

 

Still, bent the rules beyond all recognition if not broken.

[Guest]

They're cheating in my opinion. They know it and we know it but the rules were not made tight enough (just about). The fact that those rules were changed because of their antics last season and will clearly be tightened again at the end of this season speaks volumes though. If even the rest of the morally corrupt football fraternity thinks what they are doing stinks then it's fair to say it's even worse than that. 

[SystonFox]

Charlton 0pts. #Relegation

Same for Sheffield Wednesday.

Lamby will love having chairs thrown at him in league one too

[Guy1960]

They're cheating in my opinion. They know it and we know it but the rules were not made tight enough (just about). The fact that those rules were changed because of their antics last season and will clearly be tightened again at the end of this season speaks volumes though. If even the rest of the morally corrupt football fraternity thinks what they are doing stinks then it's fair to say it's even worse than that. 

 

So what benefit did changing the loans rule have?  Actually limits the benefit of clubs like yours of building a relationship with foreign clubs

 

What rules will clearly be tightened at end of this season, interested to know? 

 

There's the rule against multiple ownership of clubs that you've sort of broken by putting the clubs under different name: Dad owns one, son owns the other officially, but in practise that's not the case.

 

Still, bent the rules beyond all recognition if not broken.

 

 So we've sort of broken the rules have we,  We actually haven't. Multi ownership of clubs is legal.  It just mustn't be in the same country.

[Guest ttfn]

So boys and girls how are Watford cheating this season?

 

Loans = none and all incoming transfers ratified by the necessary authorities 

British starters = Doyley, Anya, Deeney, McGugan

I would definitely be spending my Saturday evenings on the forum of a team that wasn't playing today, let alone against my team, if we'd won 6-1.

 

FOUR British starters? You're like a UKIP flagship football club with that sort of British talent being given a chance.

 

Again, I'll come back to the same point. Given that there is a clause in FFP to ensure the "fair value" of sponsorship and other commercial transactions is all that is considered in the calculations, why is a panel of experts not employed to calculate fair value on transfers between related parties? It's a complete nonsense and such a simple loophole to close (AGAIN).

[Corky]

Whilst I don't like the Watford situation, I bet if Leicester were doing the same and were and having the same success then no one would be complaining. Is it ethical, no, is it legal, yes. So good luck to them. It's not their fault that there is a loophole to exploit.  It's quite enterprising really.

 

Success? We both lost in the play-offs last year, we both didn't gain promotion, and should we win tomorrow we'll have the same record as them this season.

 

They aren't much better off.

[lgfualol]

l ol watford

 

I cant help but think what they will do if they;re not promoted. Will the owner buy Barcelona and send them Messi & co? 

 

Totally fair if that happens. 

[Super_horns]

They're cheating in my opinion. They know it and we know it but the rules were not made tight enough (just about). The fact that those rules were changed because of their antics last season and will clearly be tightened again at the end of this season speaks volumes though. If even the rest of the morally corrupt football fraternity thinks what they are doing stinks then it's fair to say it's even worse than that. 

 

 

Maybe if the FL felt they was such an issue/problem they should have done some research on what the Pozzos have done quite successfully for a number of years abroad rather than just approved the take-over and the transfers since?

 

Its not as if the Pozzos are new unheard of owners into the game with no interest in the game apart from make money..

 

I am sure they could have acted on their own "fit and proper" persons test....mind you as they let a well known bankrupt "businessman" like Bassini take over maybe they know it doesn't work.

 

If they had said we don't like their idea in the first place there wouldn't be the questioning but I guess they had other things to worry about...like which fancy hotel to have their annual conference at whist clubs struggle to make ends meet.

 

Even the changes to the loan system only came because clubs protested and wanted to vote on it which is their right...and we actually went along with the ruling.

[Kitchandro]

Watford aren't cheats but they are getting an unfair advantage. They shouldn't be allowed to do what they are doing but they are. It's true, if the boot was on the other foot we'd be defending it, but it's not and you can understand why people are against them doing well.

 

I'm sure sensible Watford fans are able to put themselves in our position and think how they would feel if they were being put under new restrictions whilst other clubs were benefitting from something that in all honesty is not right, even if it is currently legal.

 

They aren't bending the rules because there aren't any to stop them doing that, just as there weren't any rules about points deductions when we were in administration (which wouldn't have made any difference, plus at least we did have a transfer embargo, and we had the little issue of being skint anyway).

 

So, yeh, in reality, it's not Watford we should be bitter at, it's the authorities for not putting their foot down. But at the same time it's natural for people to want them to fail, because they're profiting from the situation and we're in the shit. It's like a lot of people these days; they're going through difficult financial times so they don't like the rich getting richer. Is it fair to resent people for being more opportunistic and better off? Not really, but that's how it is.

 

And since it's been mentioned, I think a lot of people would be lying if they said they weren't bitter about the play-offs. Is there any logical explanation for it? No, but people were heartbroken and they're naturally going to want some sort of retribution for their hurt feelings. That's football, it isn't logical, it's emotional.

[GingerrrFox]

The fact Watford fans have to come on to other team's forums to argue that they aren't using loopholes in the rules to gain an unfair advantage, tells you all you need to know about the situation. Deep down they know they are cheating.

[Samilktray]

What there doing is no worse than us in the last few years, spending millions we didnt/don't have. I'd be very amused if they went up and we didnt this year.

[Kitchandro]

What there doing is no worse than us in the last few years, spending millions we didnt/don't have. I'd be very amused if they went up and we didnt this year.

 

[Harry - LCFC]

What there doing is no worse than us in the last few years, spending millions we didnt/don't have. I'd be very amused if they went up and we didnt this year.

 

I don't agree with that. What they're doing is worse.

 

What we did is to borrow money and spend what wasn't ours. What they've done is to get other clubs (mainly Udinese) to pay for the costs of their players, Watford wouldn't be able to afford the squad they have if they had paid their market value. So they've bought from clubs selling at an artificially low price, this works in the interests of the Pozzos rather that Udinese who actually suffer from this transaction by not getting the fee they could be getting - It's a bit like a 0% interest loan that you never have to pay back.

 

I understand where you're coming from, on the face of it our behaviour looks worse but when you look a bit closer you realise that their actions give them an even greater advantage with no costs in the long run.

[Dan]

So boys and girls how are Watford cheating this season?

 

Loans = none and all incoming transfers ratified by the necessary authorities 

British starters = Doyley, Anya, Deeney, McGugan

 

Yeh, it's the fact that they were loans that wound everyone up, not the fact you're being given a team too good for this league on a free kinell

[Dan]

Whilst I don't like the Watford situation, I bet if Leicester were doing the same and were and having the same success then no one would be complaining. Is it ethical, no, is it legal, yes. So good luck to them. It's not their fault that there is a loophole to exploit.  It's quite enterprising really.

 

I wouldn't be complaining but I certainly wouldn't be spunking my pants over it like their fans are. The vast majority of football fans aren't bothered how unethical their own clubs actions are as long as it brings them success.

 

It's like this new youth system. Absolutely hate it I do - even if Leicester do benefit.

[MGLCFC]

Success? We both lost in the play-offs last year, we both didn't gain promotion, and should we win tomorrow we'll have the same record as them this season.

 

They aren't much better off.

I'm talking about the relative position Watford were in compared to where they are now and had Leicester been in that position no one would have been complaining had this happened to us. We all want the same thing, we through millions of pounds at it, brought in a supposedly top manager and it didn't work, Watford have taken an alternative route. It just seems like a bit of sour grapes to me - someone has been smart enough to use a loophole in the system to gain an advantage. Whilst I don't like it, think it's both wrong and not within the spirit of the game, it's perfectly legal.

PS, whilst Watford did lose in the play offs, they finished some 12 points ahead of us and missed out on automatic promotion by one foolish act of lack of self discipline on the last day of the season.

[Guest Col city fan]

I had Troy Deeney on my 'wish list' on here last season. So did KingFox I think?

I was told don't go near him, he's scum... Blah-di-blah.

I felt he was only going to be get better and it wouldn't surprise me if he ends up being the League's top goalscorer.

Then again, I also gave a shout for Marlon King who again appears to have misdemeanoured. So I guess I can't get it right every time.

[Guest ttfn]

I had Troy Deeney on my 'wish list' on here last season. So did KingFox I think?

I was told don't go near him, he's scum... Blah-di-blah.

I felt he was only going to be get better and it wouldn't surprise me if he ends up being the League's top goalscorer.

Then again, I also gave a shout for Marlon King who again appears to have misdemeanoured. So I guess I can't get it right every time.

Excuse us for not wanting convicted thugs in the team.

I don't begrudge them their right to earn a living, I'd just rather that somebody else was giving it to them.

[Guest Col city fan]

Excuse us for not wanting convicted thugs in the team.

I don't begrudge them their right to earn a living, I'd just rather that somebody else was giving it to them.

Fair enough, you're entitled to your opinion of course.

Personally, I think Deeney comes across now as ok. He's done the crime and paid his time, so to speak. And only time will tell if he's 'rehabilitated'.

Football wise, I think he's streets above any striker we have at City. And don't mind saying so.

[Super_horns]

I have to say he certainly has re-paid the faith Zola and the club put in him after the prison spell.

 

A few fans were doubtful if we should keep him but as usual in football its all forgotten once Deeney started scoring.

[One Arm Babba]

We haven't broken any rules though...

 

As for the spirit of the sport - well football has long past being a game with morals and fair play!

 

Is running up millions pounds worth of debt fair..?

Cretin.

[Super_horns]

Cretin.

I did mean generally - and money going out of the game to greedy agents/players as a general point.

 

In other words most sides in the Premier league and below.

 

Its another issue the FA/FL could look at to safeguard the future of the game.

[Fez of Mahrez]

I had Troy Deeney on my 'wish list' on here last season. So did KingFox I think?

I was told don't go near him, he's scum... Blah-di-blah.

I felt he was only going to be get better and it wouldn't surprise me if he ends up being the League's top goalscorer.

Then again, I also gave a shout for Marlon King who again appears to have misdemeanoured. So I guess I can't get it right every time.

It's not exactly a huge leap of faith, he's clearly a good player at this level. And no amount of goals should have any effect on people's moral objections.

Plus we have gone past the days of buying other Championship players for massive fees when we already have capable players in their position. Wood scored a similar number of goals to Deeney last season.

[Guest Col city fan]

It's not exactly a huge leap of faith, he's clearly a good player at this level. And no amount of goals should have any effect on people's moral objections.

Plus we have gone past the days of buying other Championship players for massive fees when we already have capable players in their position. Wood scored a similar number of goals to Deeney last season.

I can't argue with the goals tally.

But it's about form and clear improvement isn't it.

Deeney has come out of the blocks this season on fire. Wood continues to look pedestrian. Lets hope that changes this afternoon. If Wood even starts? I doubt that Zola (or the Udinese fans) even contemplated not starting Deeney yesterday.

[Fez of Mahrez]

I can't argue with the goals tally.

But it's about form and clear improvement isn't it.

Deeney has come out of the blocks this season on fire. Wood continues to look pedestrian. Lets hope that changes this afternoon. If Wood even starts? I doubt that Zola (or the Udinese fans) even contemplated not starting Deeney yesterday.

It's just two games.

We have a young striker who has proven his ability. He may be off form but I have confidence he will come good and the long-term evidence is there that he can be every bit as effective as Deeney.