Watford have signed teenage striker Moses Ashikodi from Rangers for a nominal fee. The 19-year-old impressed during a two-week trial at Vicarage Road and has been given a two-and-a-half year contract by the Hornets. Ashikodi started his career at Millwall before joining West Ham in 2004. He moved to Rangers in January 2006 but did not start a first-team game there. He has represented England at all levels from Under-15 to Under-19. Ashikodi will go straight into the Hornets' squad for Saturday's FA Cup tie against Stockport.
Moses Ashikodi started his career at Millwall, where he made five substitute appearances, before joining West Ham in August 2004. Having represented England at under-16 and under-17 levels he was hotly tipped for the future. Though struggling to make the grade at West Ham, Ashikodi impressed during a trial at Rangers in January and was handed a deal until the end of the 2006 season. On signing, young forward said: "I know that I did not have the best of times at my previous clubs but this is now behind me and all I want to do now is give 110 per cent for Rangers. It is a fresh start and I am really looking forward to playing in Scotland and scoring goals again." However, in January 2007, Ashikodi was sold to Watford after failing to impress at Ibrox.
Peope have been saying that we need a miracle and Aidy has been talking about "biblical proportions" so is he our saviour? He should have a little in common with Big Danny and Aidy has likened his situation to Marlon's so these two will have a big part to play in developing the guy. I cant remember the source but a bit more info about Moses below. "Moses Ashikodi (born June 27, 1987, in Lagos, Nigeria) is a professional football player for the Scottish club, Rangers. Ashikodi, a striker, has played for England at youth levels, including appearances at the 2002 Under 16 Victory Shield (scoring in a 1-0 victory against Wales), the 2003 Under 17 Pepsi Tournament and an Under 18 substitute appearance against Norway. At the Under 19 level, he scored the only two goals in the game against Switzerland on 16 November 2005. Ashikodi started his career at Millwall. At fifteen years old, he became their youngest player ever when he debuted at Brighton & Hove Albion in March, 2003. He went on to record five substitute appearances for the Bermondsey club. Ashikodi's career at Millwall effectively ended on 4 February 2004, after a training ground incident that reportedly saw Ashikodi threaten team-mate Mark McCammon with a knife.1 Millwall's then-Chairman Theo Paphitis confirmed that a "very serious incident" had occurred and said that an investigation would be launched.2 Ashikodi was suspended while the investigation was carried out. The following month, he left the club by mutual consent. A club statement read that "The disciplinary process has been concluded. We wish him the best of luck in his future career." 3 He made the move to East London rivals West Ham United in August of 2004. "Everybody deserves a second chance - and to be fair he seems a lot calmer than Tomá* Řepka!" said Alan Pardew upon signing him. Although he didn't appear for the first team at West Ham, he was part of the team that reached the last 8 of the FA Youth Cup, and was the clubs top scorer at reserve level that season. In July, 2005, he went on trial at Rushden and Diamonds for a week with a view to a loan deal, but ended up playing on loan at Gillingham for the rest of the year. Released by West Ham, Ashikodi moved to Rangers during the January 2006 transfer window, signing on a six month deal with the possibility of a longer contract. He made his full debut for the club in an Old Firm game at Parkhead on 23 April 2006.
Aidy on Moses signing. http://www.watfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10400~949632,00.html
Sounds like Aidy's admitting he's a gamble. But there's no doubting his talent. And if Aidy can get him firing it will be another success I am sure. But I also feel Aidy does not see him as a solution to our problems here and now but someone to develop into a top performer within a few years. To be honest I think Aidy is looking as much to prepare our side for the future as he is trying to ensure survival this season.
He might play against aston villa with priskin suspended. But hendo knows he has to improve otehrwise he is out of the team by the way unlucky hendo hitting the post lol
Priskins ban will most likely take effect for the stockport game at the weekend in which case he will be available for villa
Suspended for Stockport http://www.watfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Squad/Injuries/0,,10400~609824,00.html
Getting Moses in and firing will push so many other players. It will push Hendo who has been pretty safe up till now, and Priskin will know he needs to battle for a place. More strikers will mean that Ash will play on the wing again - which will push Smith, Macca et al. But I feel we need to get an established forward in to make it 4 forwards to push eachother.
Football Manager 2007 assessment. I know it's only him on FM but as he is a bit of an unknown quanitity I'll give you a quick outline of his strengths/weakness's according to the FM scouts. Work Rate - 16 (Same as Giggs, Heskey and Benjani) Pace - 17 (Same as Villa, C.Ronaldo, Gallas and Robben) Determination 15 (Same as Robbie Keane, Deco, Ashton and Agger) Flair - 13 (Same as Fabregas, Alonso and Lampard) This means obviously that he is quite a determined player and one I expect to be running for a lot of lost causes and fighting for every ball. He should be able to keep this up with a stamina rating of 14 for most of the match. (Same as Drogba, Carrick, Cannavaro and Carvalho) But some of his technical skills aren't the best. With a first touch of 9 (Ayala), a finishing of 9 (Cannavaro) and Heading of 10 (Beckham). Although these are all skills that can be improved on with training. I don't know how he will fair this season but he has all the right attributes to be a good player in the future. And hopefully his determination will see him onto being a better player. Overall Assessment: Maybe an impact player.
What do they put his Potential Ability as? You can find it in the FM Editor if you don't know where to look...
124 isn't very good. I swear in FM terms that is average Championship standard at best. I would have thought/hoped considering his past that it might have been higher than that. Fingers-crossed Aidy can get something out of him that others haven't been able to.
FM is very good,and often accurate in terms of younger players, but it is a game. This is real life. If Ashikodi has potential, lets hope Aidy can bring it out of him.
