And Watson saying goodbye to Crystal Palace
Kingston Guardian - Departing Eagle Watson backs Palace to soar
Tuesday 27th January 2009
By Graham Moody » Departed midfielder Ben Watson has tipped Crystal Palace to gatecrash this season’s play-offs after completing a £2m move to Wigan Athletic on Monday.
The long-running saga of the Eagles academy graduate’s future was finally resolved when he put pen to paper on a two and a half year deal at the JJB Stadium, despite undergoing a medical at Middlesbrough on Thursday.
“Wigan is a great club but I am surprised he chose them, I thought Middlesbrough would have suited him better.
Neil WarnockAfter 189 appearances and 20 goals in the red and blue he leaves Palace on the tails of the Championship play-off race and admitted he would like to be lining up against them in the top flight next season.
“Anything is possible,” said the 23-year-old.
“They have got a good squad and if they can get on a good run of games again they have got as good a chance as anyone in the league.
“If they get in the play-offs I wouldn’t bet against them, they are more than capable of being a Premiership team.”
In 13 years at Palace Watson enjoyed a rollercoaster of a career, from scoring his first Eagles goal against arch rivals Millwall to being booed by his own fans ahead of taking a late penalty against Leicester in March 2007, but he admitted it was time for him to leave SE25.
“I want to thank everyone for a fantastic time,” he said.
“There was a great support from everybody at the club, from the manager, staff and players.
“I have had 13 fantastic years but it was just time to move on and I’m delighted to be back in the Premiership.
“It is the place where everyone wants to play and I am there.”
Watson’s agent Anthony McFarlane confirmed it had been a hard decision for Watson to leave the Eagles but that he needed to to further his career.
“It was a very big decision he had to make as he has some fantastic memories of Palace,” he said.
“He has got many friends there and Palace holds a space in his heart.
“He wants to see them do well but he has made his dream of playing in the Premiership against the best clubs and in front of the best crowds.”
Palace manager Neil Warnock wished Watson all the best, but admitted he thought Boro could have been a better destination for his talents.
“I am sad personally that he is leaving, I think all the lads will be, he is part of the furniture here but he is going to be a very exciting player,” said the Yorkshireman.
“Wigan is a great club but I am surprised he chose them, I thought Middlesbrough would have suited him better but I’m pleased for him and the club, especially the chairman.
“We had such a derogatory offer of £500,000 from QPR and £2m is more realistic for someone of Ben’s quality.”
Watson on his Eagles career:
Best Palace moment?: “Getting promoted to the Premiership is up there but it is hard to single out one moment as I’ve had lots.”
Worst Palace moment?: “Last season’s semi-final defeat to Bristol and missing the penalty, that was hard to take. I didn’t do anything wrong really, I always intended to put it in that corner but it wasn’t to be.”
Best mate?: “Probably Andy Johnson as we were very close. When I got in the first team he looked after me and took me under his wing. We then roomed for three years so we were very close.”
Best manager?: “Neil Warnock, he has come in and done a fantastic job for Palace
www.kingstonguardian.co.uk/sport/football/4077528.Departing_Eagle_Watson_backs_Palace_to_soar/