MURPHY’S SO CONFIDENT OF FOREST CLIMB
OLLIE WATKINS was once a catwalk judge who helped to influence styles as models paraded the latest gear.
And Brentford’s highlyrated striker would go to the trends of the earth to help the Bees join the Premier League’s designer labels after 70 years of shopping at Primark.
Last year, before completing his £1.8million move to Griffin Park from Exeter, Watkins spent a week as a paid intern at fashion house Ted Baker’s London HQ.
His work experience was set up by former Exeter boss Paul Tisdale, whose longtime associate Ray Kelvin owns the Ted Baker marque, and Watkins even found himself modelling a few suits and shirts.
And Brentford’s promising start in the Championship, checked by an undeserved defeat at Blackburn last week, is no dummy run.
These Bees sting – Dean Smith (circled) and his progressive side will be playoff contenders and Watkins, who had more touches of the ball than anyone in the opposition box last season, is head of the style council.
“When I was offered the placement with Ted Baker I thought I was going to be spending a week of the summer break sitting in an office, but it was a real eyeopener – one of the best weeks I’ve ever had,” said the £15million-rated forward.
“I had never really spent any time in London before, so living in an apartment in Shoreditch for a week was a good base for enjoying the big city.
“At one stage I was taken downstairs into a showroom and sat at the end of a runway while 30 women walked past in all sorts of outfits.
“I had to say what I thought of each style – ‘Yes, I like this’ or ‘No, don’t like that’ – with these models all looking at me to approve their clothes.
“I was brutally honest. I don’t think Ray would have liked me to say I liked something if I was lying – fashion is big business, so you don’t want to be leading anyone up the garden path.
“I can tell if someone’s wearing Ted Baker gear now if they are just walking down the street.
“A lot of the stuff they were working on when I spent that week with the company was for this winter’s range. Maybe I will spot one or two outfits I saw in the run-up to Christmas.
“When Paul Tisdale first suggested it, I must admit I thought it was a bit weird. But now, of course, I’m really glad he put my name forward.
“I don’t think he volunteered me because of my dress sense, but he obviously thought it would appeal to my character.”
Watkins, 22, has made the jump up two divisions from Exeter look easier than hurdling a matchbox.
There is a touch of the Thierry Henry – his boyhood hero as an Arsenal fan – about his pace, mobility and directness.
Add just a little composure to his game around the box and he will become a fashionable target for Premier League clubs next year – if Brentford don’t make it to the penthouse first.
He said: “I don’t feel out of place at this level. If I scored a few more goals, I might have attracted even more attention than I have.
“It’s important to keep pushing, keep learning and not get comfortable. We play some of the best football anywhere outside the Premier League and this club provides an ideal environment for young forwards with ambition. Hopefully we can keep flying under the radar, stay in the upper part of the table and leave the expectation to other clubs. Right now, I couldn’t see myself playing anywhere better.
“In the long run, I would love to play for Arsenal one day in the Premier League. That’s the dream. But why not with Brentford?”
The mighty Bees, mixing it in the top flight with all the metropolitan big guns?
Suits you, Ollie. DARYL MURPHY has warned Nottingham Forest’s rivals their win over Newcastle is just the start.
Murphy was on target (above) as the Reds claimed a 3-1 EFL Cup victory.
They remain unbeaten in the Championship heading into today’s trip to Brentford – but have drawn four of their five games.
And Murphy says Forest will only get better as key summer recruits like £13million record signing Joao Carvalho and Gil Dias continue to bed in.
“We always knew there was more to come,” said the forward. “We train every day and all the lads can see how good we are and the quality we have in the squad.
“Joao Carvalho and Gil Dias were very good against Newcastle, but then we knew what they were capable of. They are adapting very quickly.”