With our visit to Vicarage Road this month, it’s got me thinking about Watford’s target man Troy Deeney and whether or not he could be the clinical striker we’ve been demanding. A stand-out figure on and off the pitch for the Hornets over recent years has allowed Deeney to build up a reputation as not only a top striker, but a great professional who is idolised by the Watford faithful.
A calm and collected leader who the club can rely on when under pressure, there was one goal that I feel has defined Deeney’s role at Watford: His last minute winner to send Watford into the play-off final just seconds aft er Leicester missed a penalty. He followed that season with another prolific campaign in the Championship finishing with 25 goals, and his contribution to the club was rewarded as he was given the captain’s armband. He then led the side to a Premier League return scoring 21 goals in the process, which marked three consecutive seasons of 20 plus goals.
Last season the striker showed his doubters that he has the quality to excel in the top flight as he netted 13 Premier League goals without a single absence. He is an integral part of the Watford side with his top performances not going unnoticed as Leicester put a bid in worth £25 million.
Despite this, he has not been at his best in the current season. Having only netted five goals out of 22 Premier League appearances, his critics have been quick to judge the number nine. Watford season ticket holder Joe Morahan gave us his view on the striker. ‘Deeney is a legend forever more. He’s a massive presence here and he has a great relationship with the fans’ he said. ‘Th is season he’s not looked as sharp or hungry as he has in the past though.
‘You wonder if we could cash in on him, but I’d also be worried that without his passion and drive in the dressing room we could be real relegation candidates.’ All of this poses a question to West Ham fans. He’s a passionate, influential striker with a great scoring record and has proved it at the highest level. Why haven’t we tried to sign him?
Th ere were transfer rumours in 2013, and this looks like a missed opportunity as we could have probably got him for a fraction of his current valuation. For £30 million, however, I think it would be too big of a risk, especially as Carroll, a man with a similar playing style, has matched Deeney’s current goal tally in just over a third of his playing time.
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