Big league vultures circle Watford kids

Big league vultures with a taste for cheap home grown talent are starting to circle with intent around Watford`s crop of fine teenagers…

…but the Hornets gaffer has warned his young upstarts not to be lured by the bright lights and filthy lucre on offer away from WD18.

Liverpool are reportedly eyeing up the quick feet of Academy scholar Gavin Massey - who made his league debut in the 4-0 drubbing of Coventry - whilst Man City are showing some serious interest in Watford (and Northern Ireland U17) schoolboy Sean Murray.

Both are promising. Both will be looking to break into the Championship matchday squads next season. Both have come through the ranks at Vicarage Road. But, both should learn their trade in WD18.

Well that`s the message Malky Mackay is sending out anyway.

Our Braveheart boss told the 'fficial site "As a 16, 17-year old you have the possibility that in a year you will be in the first team. Can you say that if they go and sign for a Premier League club? Absolutely not.'

"For young Gavin [Massey] and any others coming through, it is something that they and their parents have to look at. If they want to be a top footballer then patience works. If you look at Ashley Young, patience got him a £9m move to Aston Villa."

Watford know first hand that the loss of talent to the supposed bright lights of the big league - just look at 'Arry Forrester`s move to Aston Villa a few seasons back - but with a string of strong prospects coming off the conveyor belt of an Academy set-up (which is the envy of many in the top flight) our Golden Generation of kids would do well to take note.

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