Definitely He's Our Man: Helguson to Have a Scan

No doubt they'll send the medical bill to us.

But he passed the physical? ;D

combination of weak legs and loss of confidence here, up to Twotford confidence better, scores two then on crutches. Legs give out. bigger mystery is what was in Paladinis mind when he signed him.

Still waiting for a verdict (if one can use that term )

Watford Observer -
Watford boss Malky Mackay plays down grudge match against Brendan Rodgers' Reading
10:30am Friday 25th September 2009

By Frank Smith »

Malky Mackay insists there is no animosity between Watford's staff and Brendan Rodgers ahead of this weekend's game against Reading, who will have to wait until tomorrow morning to see if they will face Hornets legend Heidar Helguson.

Mackay described the striker's chances of making the Championship clash as "touch and go" after the striker pulled his calf during his second 'debut' last weekend.

Helguson left Vicarage Road on crutches on Saturday and despite having an MRI scan on Wednesday, Mackay says he will have to wait until tomorrow morning's fitness test to see if the 32-year-old will be able to play.

Mackay said: "The scan showed that we need to look and see how he reacts to intense physio over the next two days before we make a decision. It will be Saturday before we make a decision on that.

"He has had knocks and bruises throughout his career but he is a typical Viking – he just gets on with it."

Jay DeMerit is still out with the bizarre eye infection he picked up on the morning of the Plymouth game and Scott Severin is recovering from a groin injury.
Reading have had a poor start to life under former Watford manager Rodgers and are currently 21st in the Championship after one win in eight. Furthermore, the Royals go into the game without a win in their last 14 home matches, since beating Wolves 1-0 on January 27.

But both Ivar Ingimarsson and former Hornet Jobi McAnuff played for the Reserves this week and are expected to be in the matchday squad.

McAnuff has a reputation for lifting his performance level against his former clubs and Mackay said: "I hope that is not the case on Saturday.

"It is always interesting for you when you play against your old club at your new stadium. We will have to see what happens."

Rodgers helped save Watford from relegation during his seven months in charge at Vicarage Road but despite leading the club to 13th, the majority of Hornets fans have developed a dislike for the Northern Irishman.

The 36-year-old controversially left Watford just a week after claiming he was "100 per cent committed to the club".

But Mackay insists there is no animosity between Rodgers and his players or backroom staff.

Mackay said: "We would just like the three points just like anywhere else. I talk to Brendan regularly so as far as we are concerned, we go down there and are professional and do our job.

"There is certainly no animosity as far as the coaching staff are concerned.

"Our fans have their own thoughts on it and they want to go down there and win and that is probably why so many are going down there.

"But it is football and we just get on with it. As far as I am concerned, I want to go and my focus is on winning the game."

Watford sold out their initial allocation of 3,195 for the game and a further 350 tickets will be available on the day.

If another 128 Hornets fans make the trip to the Madejski Stadium then the attendance will eclipse the club's highest away support in the league in recent times, the 3,322 at Charlton Athletic in October 2006.

Michael Jones, Watford's head of customer sales, said: "I think it is fair to say that the two fixtures with Reading were probably the first ones supporters looked out for this summer.

"This particular fixture has been more popular than any Championship league game for a number of years, with 3,200 tickets sold in advance and is clearly one our supporters are really up for, which will hopefully make it feel more like a home game for Malky and the team."

www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/4648120.Watford_boss_Mackay_plays_down_grudge_match_against_Brendan_Rodgers__Reading/

He would pull a muscle climbing into the longship....