"Vital Watford understands that Richard Lee is close to a move to SPL outfit Aberdeen. Lee is thought to be upset at the recent capture of Estonian keeper Mart Poom and that he will not become the club's new number one following the departure of Ben Foster. Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood has been chasing a new keeper since a bust-up with current stopper Jamie Langfield. The lure of European football could also be a major factor in this move for the highly rated stopper." That would be a suprise, amd i doubt this rumour has substance, but id let him go for a small fee, he is a decent keeper and a really nice guy so im told, but if he wants first team football, he'll have to look elseswhere.
He won't be getting first team footy at Watford while Aidy is in charge that is for certain. Unless of course Poom breaks both his legs and Alec's zimmer is clamped.
I'd let him go we did not bring in poom to be a back-up and if he's not happy we don't need him being a cancer on the team
I'd love to just loan him to Aberdeen with the option of bringing him back should Poom get injured. But I doubt Aberdeen will accept that solution.
Throughout last season Aidy praised RL for his effort and enthusiasm and work rate even though he wasn't number one - RL isn't he type of person to cause a problem, he is always smiling and is a happy individual. There are others in our squad who are much more likey to throw their dummy out the pram, RL would be one of the last people on that list.
hornsinusa... obviously youve never watched anyone die from Cancer before. Do me (and maybe a few others) a favour and refrain from using that word other than in its correct context Its a f****g horrible disease and considering how many people will suffer or know someone that has, reading you use the word to describe Richard Lee's presence in the team is quite hoffific to say the least.
And what would be the correct context if not how he has used it? I'll take it you have a personal grievence with the subject. however you'll have a job protecting yourself from it! in the same way anyone whos lost someone from a heart-attack cant protect themselves from hearing people express they nearly had one...
Aside from potential personal grievances, using the word "cancer" in that context is fairly uncommon. Cancer is a disease that spreads... What the F*** has that got to do with Richard Lee?
using 'cancer' in this context is very common. as of course it refers to the fact that it's something not very good on the inside. this is of course a suggestion that rich will kick up a fuss and cause a bad atmosphere at the club.
'Cancer is a disease that spreads' in the same way that Richards Lees' potential dissapointment and lack of motivation might spread throughout the squad amongst players Kabba for example who dont think they're getting what they deserve! Hoodies are a cancer on society as is racism, both very common ways of using the word to express how a problem can take hold and grow itno something far worse...
Common? No-one I know would use the word in such an immature and inappropriate way. Apart from anything else it is a totally inaccurate analogy to make.
The number of times he's been knocked back by Aidy and others you've got to feel sorry for him and eventually that must have an effect on his moral. As for the cancer issue. End of.
Reading HorninUSA's post, it is clear he didn't mean to cause offence, if his language is a bit strong. It is fairly common useage to describe an undesirable presence as a cancer. I personally don't see Richard in this light as I think he has done well for us, despite the frustration of being 2nd choice and coming into a great deal of overly harsh criticism. Even those players that I think are useless, such as Mahon and Doyley are more like unsightly boils to me than cancers.
So basically what you think is to have a 35 year old out of practice first choice and a completely untried 18 year old backup is a good position to be in? What the hell? If he wanted to cause trouble do you not think he would have done it over the last 2 years? He hasn't complained about being loaned off, or never gettting a game, and has knuckled down and improved a lot. If he is ever going to get the jersey it is this season, and after all the work for it he has put in I think it would be ridiculous to leave now. especially to the poncy arsed SPL. Anyway after all the time I've spent defending him I will be bloody pissed off if he leaves
The original context of HornInUSA's comment used 'cancer' correctly as an analogy and, while I can understand that it might upset some people in the same way that referring to an 'addiction' to Watford might offend an alcoholic's family, it was not inappropriate at all. However, I personally think it was grossly unfair to Lee. As others have said, he seems to be upset (probably for good reason) that his chances of the first team jersey at Watford are minimal, but he played well last year when given the chance and I have seen no evidence that his personal disatisfaction is harming team morale. If it did (presumably because his teammates sympathise with him and therefore presumably respect his ability), the simple solution would be for Aidy to play him. Besides, Poom is probably only going to last for a couple of years at most (I know, he may turn out to be another Alec - a 'past-it' goalie that lasts for 10 years) and, while Scott Loach may turn out to be a great goalie... Lee already is a great shot-stopper. Sure, he may not command his area as well as some goalies and he may not be able to kick as far as Foster, but he had a comparable record to Foster last year in terms of goals against, which is not a bad achievement since two of his games were defeats to the best team in the country. Realistically, yes there are better goalies in the Premiership than Richard Lee. But there are not many better ones in the Championship, I suspect. At 24, Lee is barely out of diapers in goalkeeping terms and can be expected to continue improving on his weaknesses (command of his area, positioning and distribution - all of which are things that can come with experience) as he approaches 30. If Lee were available, most of the Championship teams and perhaps a few Premiership ones would be glad to take him as first choice keeper. I suspect that Aidy talked with Lee and basically told him that this year is going to be his transition to the first choice... Poom will provide an experienced mentor for him in addition to Alec and will probably have injury problems that give Lee some first team action. As the season progresses, he'll use Lee increasingly and by next season, Lee will be first choice in the Premiership. If that is not the case, Lee will not be willing to stay and Aidy will have a hard time replacing him. If Poom turns out to be brilliant, that's not a problem, but if he breaks a leg and Loach has to leap into the first team, Aidy will probably be able to watch our promotion chances being flushed. No criticism of Loach intended, but Loach probably needs to be loaned out to get first team experience before he is ready for the big time and getting it dumped on him too early could be fatal for his career.
Looks as though Rich will fight for his place - which pleases me! c/p Lee happy with Poom arrival Wed, Jun 20 2007 16:23 Watford keeper Richard Lee has hailed the signing of Mart Poom even though he is likely to take the number one shirt next season. Hornets boss Aidy Boothroyd snapped the Estonia international up from Arsenal earlier in the summer, although he did so with the proviso that he will have to fight for his place. Nevertheless, it would be a big surprise should he not start the campaign in the first team as the Vicarage Road-based club look to bounce back into the Premiership at the first attempt. And as far as Lee is concerned, he cannot wait to start working with former Derby and Sunderland star Poom. "I have heard good things about our new signings, and it will be nice to work alongside them," said Lee. "I don't know Mart Poom personally, but he was an excellent keeper for both Derby and Sunderland, so I am looking forward to working with him."
This is a snip from his off season blog on fishal - taken out of context. I don't think he really is a overjoyed as it seems from that bit. I just think he's keeping his options open.
your not the messiah as much as you wud like to be if u were the messiah u wud never go out as your ego wud enlarge far too much (i dont mean this abusively more to provoke a novelty mental image)
