Author:
Richard Lee
Created:
10/04/2008

Richard Lee's BLog

By Richard Lee on 20/05/2010

A Change in Direction

I've had a lot of fun keeping RichardLeeGK.com live for the past couple of years ....

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By Richard Lee on 29/11/2009

Never Too High, Never Too Low

Looking back over the trip to Palace and reacting to the FA Cup draw, Rich remembers this week about the maxim that's served the squad well so far this season

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By Richard Lee on 22/11/2009

Iron Filing

Reflections on a return to the squad - and that dominant Scunthorpe display

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Every other week, I'll give my thoughts on a subject - which may or may not be football-related. Feel free to chip in with what you reckon on the matter. Your views will be displayed below the article.

By Richard Lee - 08/06/2009

Rodgers & Out

It's obviously very disappointing to see Brendan go. I've spoken to many Watford fans in the past few days and I can understand their feelings towards him right now. My thoughts on the matter are probably not in line with most fans but for what it’s worth I’ll give my opinion...

I found Brendan to be a good man, he truly wanted the best for the players and I found him excellent to work with, despite the fact I wasn’t playing (which wouldn’t normally be the case)!

I believe that this opportunity has presented itself and, in his eyes, was one that he felt too attractive to turn down. We all know he has links with Reading and lives there currently so to be offered the post at such an early stage of his managerial career must’ve been a tough decision for him.

The word that I’ve heard a lot in the past few days speaking to fans is that of 'loyalty' and how some believe he should’ve shown more towards the club that has given him a chance in management. Again, I don’t personally agree with this. I speak from a position at being with Watford for the majority of my life and the subject of loyalty is one that I have issues with.

There seems to be a basic concept that when a player/manager is doing well and leaves the club they are with then they will be disliked by their former fans, it is at this point that the person in question should’ve shown more loyalty.

When a player is under-performing then the fans will be the first to call for him to be dropped from the team, or even sold on. At this point loyalty is no longer an issue and, predictably, when this player does return at some point they will get the mandatory applause despite at one point being the subject of a lot of criticism.

The final scenario is the one whereby a player doesn’t necessarily want to leave but they have to be sold for the best of the club, such as a few situations we have had lately due to the financial restrictions we currently have. This for a player is, in a funny way, the best scenario as they will leave the club something of a hero: they didn’t want to leave us but we had to sell him etc.

Why do I say all this? Well I think with Brendan, initially it took a while for fans to take to him, performances weren’t overly-inspiring and had he have taken the decision to leave back then I’m sure it wouldn’t have been an issue (or had we have got relegated then again there would have been many calling for his head). The fact we pulled through and finished the season on a high was the reason Reading were alerted and at the same time why fans have taken to him as they have.

The other thought I’ll offer you is this: if you were to take this scenario in the work place and you were employed by a company and a few months later you were offered a different position which not only suited your situation slightly better but was also financially much more rewarding, which, let’s not kid ourselves, plays a large role in the selection of taking a job to begin with, then what would you do?

I know this isn’t what most want to hear and I have no doubt that when we face Reading he will get a hostile reception. I also understand that the reason most fans are upset is because he one minute committed himself to the club and then the next he was off.

I guess I just wanted to put over some different thoughts on the matter. I know people will have their thoughts on him and that’s fine, everyone is entitled to their opinion and so am I...and thanks to the power of the internet I am able to put my thoughts across for those who are interested!

I'd be interested to know yours.

Your Comments

By Joel Goldman - 13/06/2009

i understand your opinion completely. i do not mind Brendan going to Reading, but what i do mind is the fact that he lied to all the fans. The week before he left he told everyone he was commited to his job at watford and he would stay and then the next week he was out the door straight away.

By WD18Firm - 12/06/2009

I don't blame Brendan for taking the job - as you say, it was better paid and he isn't going to have to travel much. The expectations at Reading are far higher than are the case at the Vic. I wonder if he will regret the move when Reading finish in 16th place next season and Madjeski kicks him out.

By Mark Giles - 12/06/2009

Richard , I can understand your point of view ......for a lot of players / managers , it is just a job of work and its the fans who have supported the club all their life , and paid lots of their hard earned cash to follow the team , that are more emotionally involved with decisions , results etc. One of the "problems" we have at Watford , is that the players and staff are accessible ( unlike Premiership clubs) ..so you can "get to talk and chat " with them. Thus , you get to like them , trust them. Brendan came over as an honest guy. He was upset at the early criticism and "booing" etc. But he won the fans over , not only with results , but from hearing from the players that they loved working for him , and how good he was in training etc. ...and of course he worked wonders , even though we knew , financially ,the cupboard was bare . I spoke to him many times , and what came through was that he was a nice man , but more important a loyal man. He "loved" Watford , wanted to "give his life" to Watford and was annoyed at anyone questioning his integrity in his loyalty. The thought ( especially on that lap of honour in the last game ) here was a man , who knew the clubs problems but was prepared ( he said) to work with no money , bring in youngssters , play good football was a dream for the supporters . One of footballs worst secrets ( even rumoured in August) was that Steve Coppell was leaving Reading in May .....no one can deny that . I remember saying way back in March at work , that we would lose Brendan if Reading came in for him ....it was expected.It was his "dream job" , It was spoken on the terraces. WE KNEW he would go.........BUT he kept saying he wouldn't , he was loyal , etc etc. I believe some of the players may have signed contracts BECAUSE they thought he was staying. Through all this , I can't believe Brendan didn't think he would at least be considered for the Reading job...he knew people there . His mistake was not that he went ( we know managers/ players come and go), but by telling everyone time & time again that he wouldn't . We trusted him after that , why not to ? so thats why the supporters and possibly the players may feel let down. Personally , I spoke to him last on May 3rd at the Awards night and he said again he wouldn't go to Reading. That was followed by his " emotional" speech that night. I feel lied to and cheated ...maybe in hindsight he may learn from this and NEVER state his overwhelming loyalty to a club again...thus if he did leave he wouldn't be letting people down so much. No , Brendan has got his dream job , but at some cost to his reputation......he will have to be careful he doesn't do it again or no one will believe him again. He misjudged the mood of the club...especially as its in a vunerable state after last year , and when we needed someone to trust !!!

By Phil Tenny - 10/06/2009

It's all very well defending the guy, Reading is his home town, he had links to them blah blah blah, but he had a link to Watford...it is called a contract. We gave him his break, and despite all the spin, it was the worst kept secret in the footballing world that he was going, so why pretend otherwise. Personally i hope he fails like no manager has failed before, and I wish him nothing but ill fortune for the way he has blatently lied to us the fans.

By Archie - 10/06/2009

Hi Richard, good to hear your views on this. I think the main problem is that Rodgers was bleating publicly about his integrity and loyalty very shortly before leaving, and a lot of fans believed him. It is also very unlikely that the move happened as quickly as has been reported in the media, let's be reasonable - there would have been informal contact between BR and Reading way before it was announced. So that makes us think that he was considering the move even when this nonsense about loyalty and integrity was being spoken. Us football fans can forgive a lot over the years, but being openly lied to will make you public enemy no.1 for a while at least. Good luck for next season

By Stephen Tilley - 09/06/2009

You make a valid point there, I think most supporters seem to forget that football is a business now and like other businesses if you are head-hunted by a more successful firm with long term prospects you would be a fool to turn it down. Also Brendan would have said he was 100% committed to Watford, Because if he had said otherwise and nothing had come of the Reading job he would have ended up with egg on his face and the fans would be on his back anyway. I feel he has ended up in a no win situation either way.

By Andrew - 09/06/2009

I agree Richard, you set out a very logical argument but we all know us fans find it hard to be logical when it comes to the club we love. I think the problem we have as you point out is the many public displays of 'love' for the club that were made by the former manager to then turn round and walk away is a little hard to take. Still we move on and look forward to the new manager coming in....

By Rich - 09/06/2009

Completely agree with the metaphor etc - but when someone says that he is loyal I think it's fair to say that subsequent loyalty would be expected. For me (and many others), this is what is irritating about the whole situation - had he been less adamant that he was loyal and committed to Watford in the weeks (days even) leading up to it, I would have been disappointed yes, but with his decision - not the man himself.

By Sue Lane - 09/06/2009

Don't have a problem with Brendon, He is a fantastic man, we have stayed behind after games and chatted with him both at home and away, he always had time for everyone. I agree with you that given the choice of a better paid job in your home town with a club you have links with has to be the more attractive option, Had Brendon come out from day 1 when the Reading job came up and said that yes he would be interested, or even remained silent on the subject, lets face it which of us on the day Coppell left didn't say "Rodgers will get the job" We expected it. Wouldn't have been happy being used as another stepping stone for someone, would have shrugged our shoulders had a moan and carried on. We watched the web sites and papers like hawks. Time and time again Brendon said he wasn't interested in moving, and even within 2 or 3 days before leaving was quoted as saying he was irritated with the subject and no he wasn't leaving. The club said he wasn't leaving and then he;s gone, with his back room team! Thats what hurts ,the two facedness of it , I wouldn't have credited the man with that sort of character trait.

By Robert Hewitt - 09/06/2009

Rich, The problem that most fans like me have is that when the rumours began to apear abotu Rodgers and the Reading job, he came out and spoke about how he had fallen in love with Watford. He also spoke out people questioning his integrity and loyalty and about it being wrong that the press were allegedly questioning it. The comments were clearly mad as he was having his head turned by the vacancy. perosnally I feel lied to. A perosn in all forms of life should not state that their loyalty and inetrgtiy in a job is not in question and then leave virtually straight afterwards.

By Yellow Dom - 09/06/2009

Richard: I can understand your take on the whole concept of 'loyalty' but unfortunately, in this instance, it's a bit hard for us fans to swallow the extremities of Rodgers' comments vs his actions. Most of us are reasonably minded. Most of us have the intelligence to see why Reading would be an attractive opportunity to him. Most of us would not begrudge him that opportunity. But please don't tell us, or your employer, that you act with integrity and respect, that you are 100% committed to the Watford cause, when that looks very unlikely to have been the case. After all, bookmakers had slashed their Reading/Rodgers odds from 16-1 to odds-on weeks earlier. Someone knew something, and I doubt it was just a hunch. However, another manager will soon be in place and we move on. Maybe you will too, or maybe you will find yourself back in the first Xi. Who knows? It's what makes football exciting, and football fans excited. Good luck!

By BicesterHornetLee - 09/06/2009

Hi Richard, Although I am a bit angry about the change of direction by Rodgers and his reaction to his integrity being question when first linked with Reading, I have to agree with almost all that you have written. It's refreshing to read the opinion of someone a lot closer to the situation than we are as supporters and a very well balanced article. I think when it comes to the use of the word loyalty in football you can certainly hold your head high as in my eyes you epitomise the meaning of the very word. Great to still see you at Watford and I sincerely hope you get more games this season and that's no disrespect to Scott who has done and will continue to do a great job for the team. Thanks again Richard, a balanced and thoughtful viewpoint from another perspective making good reading. Good luck in the new season. Lee.

By Roger - 09/06/2009

Sorry Richard this is not convincing. The fans are angry because he first professed to be"in love" with Watford, and be here for the long haul to develop players and build a team . Then he left over a weekend, to the first club to make him a better offer. It was he who used the "i" word when his commitment to Watford was questioned , so not surprising that he was criticised when he upped and left. And we are disappointed because it did look as though we might indeed have had a season of football development next season, and now we are back at square one, in a condition of uncertainty we thought we had left behind. The Russos must be furious to have a problem they did not expect on top of the ones they knew they had. But if you view is typical of the other players, then maybe they will take it all in their stride and will unite behind the new man. But will anybody leave (or not sign) as a result of this development? That is another worry we have!

By VC - 09/06/2009

Richard, Your opinion is an interesting one but from a fans point of view I must take a different one. Not all players/managers are hated by the fans when they do well and leave, this depends under what circumstances they leave. Graham taylor was at the peak of his managerial career when he left for Villa doesn't stop the fans loving him now. I am sure if you talk tom most fans they think Heider Helgusson is a hero and again left at the peak of his career same with Paul Robinson etc.. I think it more about how you conduct yourself and what you do in return for the faith and good money the club and the fans pay. Now, of cause if we had been relegated things may have been different. However, we were and all the player fans and staff brought in to this BR vision and the fact that he is a man of integrity. The point you make regarding linking this scenario to the work place is also an interesting one. If you had just started in your dream job at a company and said company had just taken a Big gamble employing you because you had little experience and were unproven. Then after a few months the manager brings you in and says I am impressed with your effort I like your work ethic let's talk about the future and cementing your place in this team. In such a meeting you thank the manager commit yourself to the company and say you’re in it for the long term. Forgive me but I think most decent people would find it hard to leave a few weeks later because of money or circumstances. Money does not make the world go round and I am sure that any money Watford was paying would have been an improvement on any last job role. Money is relative and sports people get paid very handsomely already. The fact is I cant begrudge anyone wanting to better themselves, bit life is about how you conduct yourself and in my opinion Loyalty is the most overused unpractised word in football.

By Andy Hollis - 09/06/2009

It's not the fact that he decided to leave - it's all about what he said from the point in time when Steve Coppell resigned as manager at Reading FC and Brendan Rodgers replaced him. The interview in the Watford Observer where he spoke of having intergrity is the best example.

By Roger - 09/06/2009

200% right and anyone who thinks otherwise needs to take a long hard look at themselves. Loyalty is the most overused underpracticed word in football (like urgent in my job).

By Lenny - 09/06/2009

It is not that he has moved on that has annoyed us mostly. It is the hypocrisy that he got "angry" at his honesty and integrity being challenged when people linked him with Reading - then he DID move so proving that honesty and integrity were not at stake for him. Basically he misled the fans and so he is branded a liar.

By Harryhairnet - 09/06/2009

Well article Richard. The issue I think for most Watfird fans who are so angry with Rodgers is the fact that he did commit himself to Watford, and then this changed two weeks later. I think if Ridgers had been honest about the Reading job, that it interetsed him, and he would consider it, Watford fans would respect his honesty . He probably would still have had some stick, but I do believe his honesty would have been noted, and respected.

By Berko - 09/06/2009

The word being mentioned is not 'loyalty' it is 'integrity.' The very word used a lot by BR when people asked about him moving on - we should never question his 'integrity.' Well now we don't have to - he has none. I have no problem with anyone moving on in any walk of life, that is only natural if a better opportunity comes along, but to openly mislead the club (and if you don't believe me ask your bosses the Russos) from one day to the next commands no respect. If that is 'integrity' then the Irish dictionary is different to the one we know. And here is another view taken from a WFC site: "Lee can ***** off to Reading too if he loves BR so much." - sorry about that!

By Dan - 09/06/2009

You make a reasoned point in your article, but the bottom line here is, he should of really kept his mouth shut over the whole affair. Had he of done that and then opted to leave then I don't think anyone would have had anything to say but "Thanks for keeping the team up, Brendan" To stupidly talk of Loyalty and then do a runner was probably the dumbest thing he could of done, Remember Lee Cook? .....Now you see why he gets the stick he does. From a fans perspective the lesson to players and managers is, keep schtum about speculation and if you do end up leaving for the bigger better deal, the only thing the fans can say is "Fair Play".

By steve A - 09/06/2009

Emotions get so involved in football and sometimes I think fans don’t put themselves in the shoes of the manager in these type of situations. The media try and get them to say stuff that can be mis-quoted and spun, it’s the oldest trick in the book. Manager’s always have to think about themselves and their families just like people in normal jobs and when an unexpected opportunity arises to further themselves, then they need to listen. When he walked the lap of honour around the pitch, I don’t think he had any thoughts that he would be Reading manager next season. These things then move very quickly. He hasn’t let WFC down. He’s got us out of a tricky spot, signed some good players, finished us well in the league, and he’s made us some very much needed money in compensation, which will pay for the next manager’s wages for 2 years probably. In any business, he would be thought of as a short term miracle man! I agree that he could have ‘buttoned it’ a bit and kept control of his words a little better, but I never trust the media and their clever ways of cornering him into saying things they want to manipulate. Also, he may have been advised by the chairman to say those things in order to get us in a position to negotiate the best price/compensation deal from RFC.

By Matthew Howell - 09/06/2009

I think you have oversimplified the point- a player who is doing well and leaves is not nessecary hated. Much of it is down to how they conduct themselves in the media - you could compare Ashley Young and Hameur Buazza. I think a lot of the bad reaction to Rodgers is simply due to the fact the majority of people believed him when he said he was 100% commited to watford. If he had said Reading would interest him due to his long association with the club but was currently focussed on Watford the reaction would have been lees bad.

By Frank - 09/06/2009

Richard The comparison with the “work-place” is interesting and valid. As someone who has been involved in the recruitment of people for over thirty-years, I would be extremely disappointed if someone behaved like this in the work situation. He is just starting out in his managerial career and has not attained any significant achievements. The main problem is that he has not been honest either with his employers and his work colleagues. By quoting words like integrity and loyalty he gave everyone the impression that he would stay to finish the job that he had started. Even if we had hit a difficult patch, I believe the Board and the supporters would have stayed with him for a reasonable period of time. I would probably decline to give a reference to a new manager who had behaved like Brendan. Reputation takes a long time to build and can be very quickly lost. I hope the WFC players that Brendan is likely to target will think twice about joining him.

By Joel Canning - 09/06/2009

Hi Rich, i am pleased you have come out and put this situation into perspective. You are completely right - if you turn this scenario into the work place, you would have no choice but to go. I personally thank Brendan for keeping us up and doing a good job and i look forward to seeing who the new boss will be!!

By Dan - 09/06/2009

Your thoughts are good to read , BUT when someone says 2 months ago they are `in love` with Watford , can you not see why that causes such resentment , now...?

By jonny - 09/06/2009

i understand where you are coming from but the 'football world' and the 'real world' are like chalk and cheese. In the 'real world' people work long stressful hours each day to keep earning, where in football one gets payed to train and play football matches - almost like a free leisure club membership. And a huge number of players get paid to do nothing, long term injuries, failing to make the match day 16/18. In the 'real world' if you can no longer do your job i.e. you are not good enough you are out on the streets looking for a new job. Don't get me wrong i am a huge football fan but football and the real world are too different to compare. I was (still?) a big fan of Rodgers, i think he is a great manager but we got his name out there and then he moved on, he used us as a stepping stone onto bigger and better things - was he ever fully committed or just looking to get onto the ladder of success . I feel disappointed, betrayed like many fans alike. But i do think it is time to move on and stop dwelling in self pitty and look onwards to a (hopefully) great 2009-2010 season for Watford FC and leave indivuduals out of it, because noone can be bigger than the club itself.

By Alice Arnold - 09/06/2009

Hi Richard, As far as I can gather, most reasoned fans fully understand and accept why Brendan has taken the Reading job. This isn't what's upsetting them. The problem, however, is the way Brendan conducted himself in the 2 weeks prior to him leaving and the quotes that have been attributed to him in the press. "When I am asked about other clubs, people are questioning my integrity and one thing I have mentioned is I always have integrity," and "I am loyal and find it disloyal when I am asked about other clubs when I am the Watford manager." Personally I think his quotes have been taken by most fans slightly out of context. I think he was trying to say that he has too much integrity to discuss the Reading job with the media when he is contracted at Watford. Which is fair enough. Anyway, personally I wish him luck. Unfortunately for Brendan football fans have long memories on issues like this, and I'm sure he will receive grief from Watford fans for ever more! Best, Alice

By Steve Brister - 09/06/2009

Richard Good to hear your views, most of which I would agree with. I have no problem with him going to a more secure and better paying job at a club close to his heart , where he has worked and in the town where he lives. What I have found annoying, and I know others I have spoken with feel the same, is the comments made before he left and to a lesser extent, afterwards. To tell the club and supporters that he was 100% committed, loyal, honest and a man of integrity and then leave the minute they express an interest is not my idea of loyalty, honesty and integrity. As I say without his coments I would not have a problem with him going. Anyway onwards and upwards. Hope you enjoyed the States and enjoy Spain. All the best Steve

By Martin Coupe - 09/06/2009

All in all Richard, a very balanced and well thought out reflection on what has happened...BUT I think there are a few things that need to be considered. Like it or not, working for a football club either as a player or a manager simply cannot be compared to working in another industry, due to the overwhelming connection that so many "customers" have with the "company" - the decisions and actions of those at the club have such an immediate and profound impact on the emotions of the supporters. Were the manager of your local Tesco to leave for a higher paid job at Waitrose, the "customers" would not bat an eyelid, as most of them do not have that special relationship with the management and workforce of a supermarket (I hope you can see where I am going with this). Football is a different world, fact. As a club we took a chance and offered him his big break. He got off to a rocky start, admittedly, but gradually won the fans over which, unfortunately for you guys, is part of the job - dealing with the emotions of thousands of people and coming in line for direct criticism. I am sure it is very hard to take for those of you who step out onto the pitch and hear criticism in its most raw form, however most fans would give their right arm to be able to do what you all do for a living and you have to accept that you are all in a very priviliged position. From all the discussions I have had and read on various message boards and mailing lists, I think that the major problem here is that Brendan declared his love for OUR club and then went even further by suggesting that people should not question his loyalty and integrity as he is full of integrity and will remain loyal and focused on the task at hand at WFC. In the next breath he was off and effectively left behind a trail of broken promises. At a time when our club needs, more than ever, continuity and stability, he left us for a slighter better looking prospect. We were there in the Rookery after the Derby match, chanting his name as he paraded around beating his chest as if he were part of the furniture. It leaves a sour taste in the mouth now, having witnessed that and believed his pledges of loyalty. He could have said nothing about the speculation and people would still be upset but not so incensed as they are. Just don't lie to us - we have had enough lies, deceit and spin over the past few years to last us a lifetime. Lastly, please don't expect fans to be rational Richard. We have a love affair with our club and this, as a few have alluded to on various lists, is like being dumped by your wife because she has found a slightly younger, slightly richer and slightly better looking alternative, despite the wedding vows and "til death do us part". It hurts.

By Al - 09/06/2009

Understand him wanting go go to manage where he lives and had previous connections but why come out with all the integrity and loyalty quotes himself!

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