This afternoon, just over a year to the day since the scans gave him the terrible news of his serious knee ligament and cartilage damage picked up against Doncaster Rovers, Stephen Mcginn returned to action. He played 45 minutes in the 0-1 behind closed doors friendly defeat against Southampton. According to Head of Medical Dave Hart he He added This is wonderful news for the lad. He was hoping to get half an hour, so to get the half is an extra bonus. He will no doubt be itching to get back. Lets see him sign a new deal and go on to big things!! http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/9558167.McGinn_plays_first_game_in_a_year/ http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~2627229,00.html
agreeing with Theo, but if he can get back to his old level of fitness by the beginning of next season i'll be happy. If he manages before that, i'll be thrilled to bits!
Stephen McGinn played 45 minutes for the reserves today. http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/9558167.McGinn_plays_first_game_in_a_year/ Arguably more surprising is the decision to field Craig Forsyth at centre back???
It's good news he's on the road to recovery. Not sure how he'll fit in the squad though. Would he be in front of PB, JE and JH when fit? Not sure myself! But glad he up and running playing football.
For me his best position is in the middle, but his best hope of getting a game is out wide. If he performs there, he'll be moved inside soon enough.
Don't you just hate it when they only tell half a story? Why was James replaced after only 26 minutes - was he injured? And who are Connolly and Akubuine - Academy kids? And why is Michael Bryan still here - can't we give him to Wealdstone or somewhere similar?
I tried to move the comments from the news thread to here, but it failed. the comments are out of order. But it will do.
Cheers. There are plenty of buttons to learn and know how to press them. A bit like with women really.
There are interviews with David Hart and Stephen McGinn on the Hornets player now, i will post a short transcript asap.
David Hart- Head of Medical "Delighted for him [McGinn], its a reward for his hard work. Im pleased with his performance and he is back in frame as footballer." (He is no longer just a patient) "Its still about little steps, no overcooking it." "Next time maybe he will play for longer." "Still considered as needing extra rehab". The club will be "building him up in time to the full 90mins". However, he is "still in gym". "Team are looking after him and are aware that its Stephen they are training with and challenging", However, its still a "step up to professional environment". Stephen is "Look forward to next match, but he has to work hard still". "Stephen is working very hard, unquestionably." Stephen McGinn "A year at the weekend, Tuesday got scans, pretty significant day today". He was Delighted to be back out there. Its Brilliant to be running, almost like new, maybe not as quick I bet he is just as quick. No anxiety, training maybe more aggressive so prepared for it. Been on at physios for weeks for a game, not worried, but nerves on the morning. He said he is Delighted to get it out of the way. He asked for extra 10mins, he thought that maybe TL would give him it. But glad he did not get it. He knows its all about little steps. He says he feels almost a real player. Integration helped him feel like he was still a part of the club, but it was still hard being on the sidelines. He was very tired and red faced after game, but feels good, hence asking for the extra 10mins. He was thinking about it for a while, but knew that training is different to a match. Next step maybe/hopefuly an hour, then full match then full team.
Returning midfielder Stephen McGinn got another 60 minutes under his belt as Watford's reserves beat Reading 3-1 on Tuesday afternoon. Having recovered from a serious knee injury, the Scot made his first appearance for a year at the end of last month as he managed the first half of a friendly defeat to Southampton. And McGinn has now followed that up with another hour for the club's second string at their London Colney training ground, although a first-team return this season remains some way off following the nature of his injury. STEPHEN McGINN played the first hour and Martin Taylor the full 90 minutes of the 3-1 friendly win over Reading at UCL London Colney earlier today. The Scottish midfielder planned 60 minutes, as planned, while centre-half Taylor - who has been in full training for a week or so but is short of match sharpness - got a whole match under his belt after two recent first-team cameos off the subs' bench. "It's another step forward for Stephen, particularly against opposition players who don't know the background of his situation," commented first-team coach Tony Loughlan, who took the side. "There were one or two crunching challenges he had to withstand; no bad thing in the context of him working his way back.
I cant see Dyche playing both Murray AND McGinn in the same midfield TBH. The Impression I get is that Dyche likes his midfielders to show a bit of aggression and get stuck in etc. And he seems to prefer having two more defensive players in the middle with a left footer on the left, so unless we play 4-5-1 (which I dont think we will) I can only see McGinn being on the bench even if he is match fit.
