Although Deeney only had one good season at Walsall in league 1, the gulf between league 1 and the championship seems to be getting smaller by the season nowdays. The likes of Swansea, Southampton & Norwich are just some examples of that. I have confidence in him that he will eventually manage to reproduce that kind of form for us that persuaded Watford to buy him in the first place.
He is the best we have got at the moment and hopefully will improve with a consistent run in the team.
Honestly don't remember many people criticizing him lately. I think it's obvious that he's not going to score a load of goals, but as mentioned by others above, he brings a lot to the team with his work-rate, attitude and link up play. He's made a couple of cracking assists as well. Definitely has the potential to become a solid player at this level if he improves his composure in front of goal.
Who has criticised him? I don't think anyone has criticised him this season. In fact most people have said he plays quite well up front even if he doesn't bang in loads of goals. I don't understand what half of the people on this forum see anymore. Everyone is either busy making things up, spreading rumours or talking nonsense.
Deeney is never going to be a prolific goal machine, but he is still a great asset for the team, and if he can weigh in with 10 or so goals a season, I will be more than happy!!!
He was ever a prolific scorer under the old system where he wasn't the main striker, but now that he and Garner are together I can see him scoring more often.
I've been one of his biggest detractors but he has impressed me this season. He looks to have shed some excess timber and has really benefited from actually being played in his natural position most the time. He is a more effective foil for Garner than Iwelumo has proved as the target man, long may it continue. Exercise that contract extension clause too!
I also remember Stoke at home and Brizzle City away, one after the other. Two crucial games, both 0-0 and he missed a pen in each game.
Ha, yeah, I vividly remember the Bristol City one! It was a good Watford turn out that night too! Smith was fouled right in front of us!
Oh God, I had forgotten all about that, dont think id ever been so angry with a Watford player after those 2 games
Agreed both should be given a chance. I thought both of them looked tired towards the end of the game today and in fairness quite a few players today didnt play as well as they have done recently.
I would argue Deeney has already had a chance. Starting League Appearances 30, Substitute League Appearances 34, Total goals 5
I thought Deeney was excellent today, and for somebody who isn't exactly blessed with spectacular dribbling ability he certainly pulls off some lovely touches and unexpected moves. Never stops chasing down or closing down, never lets the opposition CBs have a second to compose themselves. He may not score a lot, but he is getting into scoring positions now and should certainly get into double figures IMO. He is the main point of attack rather than Marv.
Apart fom Nosworthy, Hogg and obviously Eustace I thought the whole side looked a bit off colour today. Certainly don't share the wild enthusiasm of some. It was a welcome three points but not the best performance. Deeney was complaining about the cold at training on Twitter earlier this week so perhaps they were all feeling the cold today!
It really unsettles some opposing teams when we go into "full press" marking and chasing mode. There were some examples today when Barnsley struggled to make it anywhere near the halfway line. It's great when your attackers are the first line of your defence.
Didn't he score a load for Walsall before he came to us? His workrate is his biggest asset for sure. And when put to use correctly it helps the team so so much. Like people have said, it rubs off on the others, and makes it very difficult for other teams when they have nowhere on the pitch that isn't heavily pressed. This is a weird thread, if anything Deeney is overrated by our fans, seeing as his goal return is so low for a striker.
Tommy Smith was like that in his early years with us. Did everything right but score goals but before long he was one of the best players in the championship (came top in the Actim Index a few years ago when at Watford). And now he's plying his trade in the Premiership. Priskin also took ages to start regularly scoring and then I think we sold to Ipswich for £1.75m (a huge profit). I think he might come good.
27 goals in 123 appearances for wallsall. 5 goals in 63 appearances for us If we were in for Deeney right now i think i'd shoot Dyche in the neck.
He tired massively towards the end, their goal came as a direct consequence of him being too tired to close down fully on our left hand side
Slightly harsh statistics as he played a lot for Walsall out on the right, and he has also played far more games for us at right midfield than he has upfront. I like his work ethic, I love his enthusiasm, he's very popular with the players and I would personally rather see him play right midfield rather than as a striker. He was fantastic against a very strong Spurs defence, and he caused them problems all night!
Getting better every week in my eyes. I've also had a thought that he could become a real Watford legend. Reason for this being he isn't that quick, isn't that prolific and therefore isn't likely to generate much interest in the transfer market, in other words he's truly ours! Sordell may have been better, but he was always leaving us. Deeney is growing into, dare I say it - a mooney-esque role...
