WARNOCK EYES UP EARLY PRESENTS
d defender said: “I was asked during e summer and it has snowballed. “I thought it would just be one or two ys but it has ended up being a lot ore. They asked me to come back and some more which means it must ve been alright.
“If Marvin binned me off I don’t think be sticking my CV out anywhere! “I’ve had so much stick it’s a joke.
“It is way out of my comfort zone but e enjoyed it. I just gave it the same proach that I give playing football – y and do it to the best of my ability.” That approach has served Mariappa ell and is a major reason why he has en able to battle back from a failed holarship at 16 to make almost 300 pearances in two Watford spells. “I wanted to give everything I could try to make it,” he said. “Not getting scholarship made me knuckle down d focus. It was heartbreaking at the me as you work your whole life for that decision but it’s the best thing that ever happened to my career.”
Mariappa answered concerns about his height – “5ft 10 at a push” – by working relentlessly on his heading ability, while also leaning on traits picked up from his schooldays playing basketball.
He also studied defenders of similar size, like Fabio Cannavaro, Carles Puyol and Ivan Cordoba. Those efforts helped him handle giant-sized Peter Crouch and Kenwyne Jones when targeted by Stoke. Mariappa also responded to concerns
Cardiff have lost one of their previous seven games against Watford in all competitions (W3 D3 L1).
Watford have lost their last two Premier League home games – they’ve not lost three in a row at home in the top-flight since April 1988 (a run of five in a row).
about a perceived lack of pace by joining a local sprint club in Harrow off his own back.
That involved missing out on youthteam holidays to attend the threetimes-a-week sessions three summers running in his teens.
And seeing the slightly older Ashley Young battle back from an initial Watford knock-back because of his size provided further inspiration.
Mariappa (left) said: “Things that were seen as negatives spurred me on ALL that Neil Warnock wants for Christmas is to get his three transfer targets over the line early next month.
Cardiff’s veteran manager (left), whose side face Watford today, is ready to work through the festive period to try to and now my heading ability and pace have ended up being strong points.”
His work ethic and defiant attitude have helped Mariappa become a player Watford know they can trust.
He added: “I have been part of this club pretty much since I was nine. I’ve gone to games and watched us at Wembley get promoted, seen us under Graham Taylor, and been through a lot of experiences so to still be here putting the shirt on means a lot. I will always give 100 per cent for this club.” secure the full-back, midfielder and striker he wants to keep the Bluebirds up.
He has already watched Nantes’ £20million-rated Argentine striker Emiliano Sala and is keen on a reunion with Liverpool defender Nathaniel
Cardiff are winless in their last nine Premier League away games (D1 L8), scoring just three goals and conceding 22 in that run.
This will be Cardiff manager Neil Warnock’s first game against Watford since November 2012, when his Leeds United side were beaten 6-1 by the Hornets in the Championship.
Troy Deeney is yet to score a goal against Cardiff for Watford in six appearances, but should he score then Cardiff will be the 45th different team he has scored against for the Hornets.
Clyne, but admits doing any sort of deal is very difficult.
He said: “It is very difficult to attract established Premier League players and we can only attract a certain type of player because we are favourites to get relegated.”