After Silva, Watford should know better

IT WAS the 2017-18 season when Watford parted company with Marco Silva. The club believed results greatly deteriorated after he had his head turned by Everton. They may have been right. Everton made three approaches and Silva did eventually end up there. Yet, each time, they came through the front door. They approached the club, tried to get permission, offered compensation, Watford said no. Their persistence was not in the spirit of agreements between Premier League clubs, but they did nothing wrong. Watford, however, were incensed, and seemed to be angling for compensation if they went down. Yet compare that situation to the one experienced by Forest Green Rovers. Watford have taken their manager Rob Edwards, who recently won promotion to League One. Again, they did nothing wrong. Edwards’ contract made him a free agent, as long as he gave notice. Forest Green are entitled to a small compensation fee. Yet Dale Vince, the owner, says Forest Green knew nothing until the deal was done. No knock on the front door, no disclosure. Vince claims Watford even told Edwards to keep the negotiations quiet. It is ironic, sometimes, the standards football clubs demand from others, and those they set themselves.