The New Ross McCormack?
Fri Dec 11, 2015 1:14 pm
The New Ross McCormack?
Tony Watt can be the new Ross McCormack... let's just hope he can stay on and realise his potential with Cardiff City
By Scott Johnson
11/12/2015
Cardiff debut would have passed largely unnoticed in most games. Set against a biblical downpour, he picked the ball up near halfway, embarked on a mazy run before shooting wide from distance. The fact that it was almost celebrated as rapturously as a goal should speak volumes.
Cardiff fans have been starved of that sort of stuff recently. Dribbling AND shooting from distance, it was revelatory stuff and was referenced for days after. Tony Watt is that sort of player. He clearly doesn’t lack in confidence and isn’t short of an opinion. Basically, he’s exactly what Cardiff need at present.
The current Cardiff side are too nice, not nasty enough. If Watt brings a bit of arrogance and self-belief, hopefully it will rub off on those around him.
Cardiff used to have a surplus of these sorts of players, I think Dave Jones used to actively seek them out. Jones would often comment on how cocky Ross McCormack was and I can still see Roger Johnson berating his defence in his first appearance, a pre season 'friendly'.
Peter Whittingham may have once been the good cop to all the bad cops in the squad but there are only good cops these days. Watt can provide that little bit of unpredictability and ruthlessness that McCormack once provided.
Like Watt, McCormack spent his formative years at one of the Old Firm giants, before leaving to make a name for himself elsewhere. McCormack impressed at Motherwell ahead of joining Cardiff, while Watt spent time at Lierse and Standard Liege in Belgium before heading to Charlton.
McCormack, a signing that received a lukewarm reception initially, exceeded all expectations and plundered 23 goals in his first season. He has since gone on to be one of the most formidable players outside of the Premier League and signed for Fulham in an £11m deal in 2014.
Watt, who turns 22 later this month, has only shown flashes of his undoubted ability to date and also appeared an under-whelming addition, for supporters who were led to believe that a Premier League striker was incoming. But it hasn’t taken him long to win over fans that are more than ready and willing to embrace a hero.
The hope is that Watt and Kenwyne Jones can hit it off like McCormack and Jay Bothroyd did, as Cardiff look to cement their place in the top six, despite not looking much like a top six side at present.
Whether or not Cardiff actively sought out Watt or if he fell in to their lap is unclear. Bolton manager Neil Lennon, who had previously managed him at Celtic, confirmed after the game on Saturday that he had been offered Watt but the club could not afford his wages. However the transfer materialised, Russell Slade is clearly delighted with his arrival, describing Watt as “a very talented young man.”
“He’s got great feet and gets the ball into very dangerous areas,” Slade added. “He’s very direct when he picks up the ball and we believe he will really add to the side going forward. He’s got an eye for goal, of course. He can be a very exciting player to watch. He’s got goals at Charlton and they were not creating so many chances, if we can create more chances we believe Tony could do some real damage for us at Cardiff.”
Watt impressed at Charlton, but at times also slammed his own performances, claiming: “I’ve been poor recently and I know I have. Huddersfield was the worst game of my career. If I went right then I should have gone left, if I went left I should have gone right. I got every decision wrong. I was poor in the Rotherham game and against Fulham, I was terrible. Ever since I got injured against Dagenham, when one of their players caught my calf, it has been in my head that I’m not as sharp as I should be.”
Such brutal honesty is rare in football, while his self-awareness and thirst for improvement may set him apart from his peers over time. “I set a high standard at the start of the season but there has been no middle ground - either I’m very good or very bad. I need to be more consistent and I know that,” he added.
Of course, talking about Watt as if he's part of Cardiff's long-term plans is really rather futile because, as it stands, they only have him until January 16th. There may be scope to extend the arrangement, but any deal to keep him permanently won't be cheap.
It is believed that Charlton would be looking for a fee close to the £1.2m Standard Liege paid Celtic for Watt. Whether that fee would rise should he continue to find the back of the net in the next few weeks remains to be seen.
Tony Watt can be the new Ross McCormack... let's just hope he can stay on and realise his potential with Cardiff City
By Scott Johnson
11/12/2015
Cardiff debut would have passed largely unnoticed in most games. Set against a biblical downpour, he picked the ball up near halfway, embarked on a mazy run before shooting wide from distance. The fact that it was almost celebrated as rapturously as a goal should speak volumes.
Cardiff fans have been starved of that sort of stuff recently. Dribbling AND shooting from distance, it was revelatory stuff and was referenced for days after. Tony Watt is that sort of player. He clearly doesn’t lack in confidence and isn’t short of an opinion. Basically, he’s exactly what Cardiff need at present.
The current Cardiff side are too nice, not nasty enough. If Watt brings a bit of arrogance and self-belief, hopefully it will rub off on those around him.
Cardiff used to have a surplus of these sorts of players, I think Dave Jones used to actively seek them out. Jones would often comment on how cocky Ross McCormack was and I can still see Roger Johnson berating his defence in his first appearance, a pre season 'friendly'.
Peter Whittingham may have once been the good cop to all the bad cops in the squad but there are only good cops these days. Watt can provide that little bit of unpredictability and ruthlessness that McCormack once provided.
Like Watt, McCormack spent his formative years at one of the Old Firm giants, before leaving to make a name for himself elsewhere. McCormack impressed at Motherwell ahead of joining Cardiff, while Watt spent time at Lierse and Standard Liege in Belgium before heading to Charlton.
McCormack, a signing that received a lukewarm reception initially, exceeded all expectations and plundered 23 goals in his first season. He has since gone on to be one of the most formidable players outside of the Premier League and signed for Fulham in an £11m deal in 2014.
Watt, who turns 22 later this month, has only shown flashes of his undoubted ability to date and also appeared an under-whelming addition, for supporters who were led to believe that a Premier League striker was incoming. But it hasn’t taken him long to win over fans that are more than ready and willing to embrace a hero.
The hope is that Watt and Kenwyne Jones can hit it off like McCormack and Jay Bothroyd did, as Cardiff look to cement their place in the top six, despite not looking much like a top six side at present.
Whether or not Cardiff actively sought out Watt or if he fell in to their lap is unclear. Bolton manager Neil Lennon, who had previously managed him at Celtic, confirmed after the game on Saturday that he had been offered Watt but the club could not afford his wages. However the transfer materialised, Russell Slade is clearly delighted with his arrival, describing Watt as “a very talented young man.”
“He’s got great feet and gets the ball into very dangerous areas,” Slade added. “He’s very direct when he picks up the ball and we believe he will really add to the side going forward. He’s got an eye for goal, of course. He can be a very exciting player to watch. He’s got goals at Charlton and they were not creating so many chances, if we can create more chances we believe Tony could do some real damage for us at Cardiff.”
Watt impressed at Charlton, but at times also slammed his own performances, claiming: “I’ve been poor recently and I know I have. Huddersfield was the worst game of my career. If I went right then I should have gone left, if I went left I should have gone right. I got every decision wrong. I was poor in the Rotherham game and against Fulham, I was terrible. Ever since I got injured against Dagenham, when one of their players caught my calf, it has been in my head that I’m not as sharp as I should be.”
Such brutal honesty is rare in football, while his self-awareness and thirst for improvement may set him apart from his peers over time. “I set a high standard at the start of the season but there has been no middle ground - either I’m very good or very bad. I need to be more consistent and I know that,” he added.
Of course, talking about Watt as if he's part of Cardiff's long-term plans is really rather futile because, as it stands, they only have him until January 16th. There may be scope to extend the arrangement, but any deal to keep him permanently won't be cheap.
It is believed that Charlton would be looking for a fee close to the £1.2m Standard Liege paid Celtic for Watt. Whether that fee would rise should he continue to find the back of the net in the next few weeks remains to be seen.
Re: The New Ross McCormack?
Fri Dec 11, 2015 1:17 pm
who wrote this norms?
typical over the top nonsense. hes only played two games
typical over the top nonsense. hes only played two games
Re: The New Ross McCormack?
Fri Dec 11, 2015 1:20 pm
paulh_85 wrote:who wrote this norms?
typical over the top nonsense. hes only played two games
Steve Tucker or Scott JOhnson would be my guess.
Steve Tuckers article on Adeyemi was a corker.
Re: The New Ross McCormack?
Fri Dec 11, 2015 1:23 pm
Walesonline
Scott Johnson.
Scott Johnson.
Re: The New Ross McCormack?
Fri Dec 11, 2015 1:23 pm
scott johnson was my first thought.
Watt may well turn out to be a cracking signing. but john parking scored a 35 yard volley on his debut so i think we shouldnt jump the gun
Watt may well turn out to be a cracking signing. but john parking scored a 35 yard volley on his debut so i think we shouldnt jump the gun
Re: The New Ross McCormack?
Fri Dec 11, 2015 5:34 pm
I can see the comparison probably Watt is a bit more skillfull. 
Re: The New Ross McCormack?
Fri Dec 11, 2015 5:50 pm
paulh_85 wrote:who wrote this norms?
typical over the top nonsense. hes only played two games
I only read untill the bit where it shows Scott Johnson and then Scroll down no idea who he is or why he posts such dribble
