Mattie Pollock is desperate to get a proper chance in the Watford first team, but also knows he may have to leave to get game time
“But in the same breath I’m a competitive athlete who plays football, and I want to be playing games.
“I could easily have a nice comfortable summer, and come back for pre-season a bit unfit and overweight. But I’m not: I am going to make sure I’m in the right shape to push from day one. “But I want to play games, and if I’m not going to get the chance to play games at Watford then I won’t fall out with the club.
“But I’m not embarrassed to have that ambition. I’d love to stay and do it with Watford, but I can only develop if I’m playing games. Two more goals followed quickly and Watford were 3-0 down after 33 minutes. Many travelling fans headed home before half-time, and those who remained booed the Hornets off at the interval and again at the end.
“The pressure I put on myself that night probably killed me. I wouldn’t say I froze but I made the mistake and then I had 10 minutes where I was really wobbly. I got through the game and I don’t think I struggled after that, but the damage was already done. “My Dad was playing for Crystal Palace when I was born, so that’s why the records show me being born in Surrey,” laughed Pollock.
“I did worry I’d missed my chance. I was coming to the end of school and I didn’t have a club, and I was wondering what I was going to do. “But then Paul Wilkinson, who was at Grimsby at the time, rang my Dad and invited me down. That was my chance, and it’s quite funny it came from a player who did so well for Watford.
“I’ve always been a big lad but the main thing is I’m an old-fashioned aggressive defender, and I was probably more suited to League Two back then,” he said. “I gave it a really good go, but obviously I wasn’t ready for the Premier League. I think I knew that deep down, but being a young daft lad I thought I might get a chance.
“As a young player you just know what you know. He was the first manager who made me realise I only knew very little because he taught me loads I didn’t know before. “There were a lot of good young lads in the squad, and to win the Young Player of the Season award from the supporters was quite important to me. It gave me a good boost.”For the second summer in succession Pollock spent pre-season at London Colney but didn’t feature in the first team when the season started.
“I’m not a 21-year-old with no experience though, I’ve played 120-odd games now. So I came back in the summer wanting to play for the first team. A couple of days after a 19-minute cameo as a sub at the Riverside, Pollock was heading even further north than Middlesbrough to spend the rest of the season on loan with Aberdeen.“When I went to Aberdeen I had it in my head that I was having the worst year ever,” he recalled.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Watford's 99 Wembley win from the team bus, dressing room and pitchHere’s the second part of the personal memories of our watfordfc correspondent androofrench who was the club’s Communications Manager at the 1999 Play-Off Final win at Wembley
Consulte Mais informação »
Are you in our fans' gallery as we recall one of Watford's greatest days?A gallery of Watford fans' pictures from the Hornets' 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers in the 1999 Play-Off Final at Wembley Stadium.
Consulte Mais informação »
Watford comedian's sitcom to take over local cafe for filming todaySeries two of a Watford comedian’s sitcom about his life as a local teenager will be filming in the area today.
Consulte Mais informação »
Watford stalwart departs as five released following promotionThe longest-serving player at Watford Women Adekite Fatuga-Dada is among five who have been released by the club.
Consulte Mais informação »
Warning over two fraudsters targeting Watford ATM usersLocals have been warned as two male fraudsters are Watford ATM users with a known scam.
Consulte Mais informação »
Watford General Hospital rebuild design in picturesThe Government says it is “on track” to build 40 new hospitals by 2030 – and south-west Hertfordshire will get a share of a cash boost worth…
Consulte Mais informação »