http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/watfordfc/watfordfcnews/9815908.Mariappa_set_to_join_Reading/ Great shame we couldn't hang on to him. Good luck Mapps!
Inevitable but sad to see him go. No real sign of any new arrivals with any kind of established pedigree yet. It could be a tricky start to the season for GZ..
Pains me to say it given that they're still employing that same prat of a Director of Football, but Reading at this moment in time seems a safer bet than Wigan. I would expect Mariappa to start if he goes there, so it's probably a better move than Newcastle as well.
If the money is good then i will wish him the best of luck and shake his hand. He has been a good servant to the club and deserves his shot at the big time. Far be it from me to stand in his way.
Like I said on another post: He must want to play in the prem, he is at about the peak of his career and an international. He has given his all for Watford. Mapps " just one more season and we MIGHT go up," contrast that to "join a Prem club now and it will be M City / M Utd / Newcastle / Arsenal home and away next season." I'd be very happy and surprised if we can keep hold of him. Also it might be a bit of money to invest in how the Pozzo's feel fit to do so. It would also provide a nice kick back after they've just splashed out and provide them with a nice sign of what the academy can do once players have had a few good seasons with us. As I've stated, I'd be amazed if he stayed but fair play if he leaves.
He has certainly earned the right to another shot at 'the big time' so good luck to him. I'm just glad he left it this late and didn't decide to go when Baz had the key to the safe.......
very sad to see him go, but indeed he does deserve the right to a shot at the Premier league...but if we don't get good money for him, i'll be gutted.
oh i liked mapps, but it follows the trend of our player of the seasons being sold. maybe we should give it to someone who is leaving watford next season anyway.
SSN suggests it's £2.5m for him. Would have liked a little more, but hopefully this amount does include add-ons. I think he deserves his shot, and it's yet another academy product to move on into the Premiership! Maybe in 2 years time we will be swapping places with Reading, and we will be the attarctive prospect for AM and his like!
humph. Apart from the elevated status of playing this season in the Prem it's hardly a step up as a club. Ditto Wigan. If Newcastle or say Villa had come in for him then fair dinks, but this is a sideways step. Unimpressed.
it's as good as done according to Reading FC. I think at the moment, Reading hold the cards compared to us Fez, but yes, i think he should have been able to do better, i hope he doesn't regret the move..
Disappointing but maybe Zola thinks he can use the money to bring his own playrs in. I would say though Mariappa is probably one of the few players in our squad who was good on the ball which Zola would have liked.
You've been a loyal servant to us Mapps,even when there was all the speculation last season,would've turned a lot of players heads but you kept performing for us. Hope everything works out well for you. Now lets think to the future,we've still got Tiny,Nosworthy and Bennett another graduate from the academy who will bring us quite a bit of money in the future. We need to be prioritise a decent striker I fear. Let's also hope the imposed rest SL got last season gave him the kick up the backside he needed,he certainly came back strongly last match,rooting for you mate.
http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/f...a_set_to_join_reading_fc_in_time_for_portugal Looks as if the price has been talked up a bit.
This is where I miss the old 606. Back in the day we would now be digging out dozens of quotes from Reading "fans" who described him as the ****est, most overrated defender the world has ever known. Have no comment on the transfer beyond what I've said over the last year. Happy for him, gutted he's leaving, looks like a decent deal all-round.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18855394 even the BBC are up to speed. I agree with you sentiments NNW, apart from the old 606 as I wasn't there then.
