FOLLOWING the letters from those purporting to be Watford supporters, I feel I am left with little choice but to point out a few home truths.

Richard Glenister alleges that Vialli has turned a squad of good players into one lacking confidence.

So the fact that we had a dreadful second half to last season, where we went from promotion certainties to also-rans is completely irrelevant, is it?

If the existing players at Watford that Vialli and Wilkins inherited were so wonderful, then perhaps somebody can explain why we finished ninth in Division One last year. Or why we were relegated with a record-low points tally from the Premiership the year before?

Laurence Goodman criticises the foreign arrivals at Watford, and makes an analogy with Chelsea under Vialli.

I am no fan of Chelsea whatsoever, can't stand them in fact, but lets face it, their team of old foreigners has picked up more trophies in the last five years than they had done in the previous 40.

I am not trying to disrespect the achievements of the players that got us back into the Premiership it was a marvellous achievement and we all took tremendous pride in their efforts.

But we were unable to sustain that progress. Graham Taylor believed the players would be good enough to retain a place in the top flight.

But he was wrong. If our ambition is to build a team that can reach, and then stay, in the Premiership, then it is obvious that new players are necessary.

Under the new regime it will clearly take time. We have yet to achieve any sort of level of performance away from home.

But, in patches, the football being played has been excellent, and I have no doubt that with the quality of player that Watford has, we will ultimately come through this difficult time a much stronger outfit.

Fillipo Galli is obviously one of the great players to ever appear for Watford and, even at 38, it is a privilege to get the opportunity to see him play.

As for the sale of Darren Ward, well he had performed well for Watford, but there had been some disquieting rumours about his attitude off the pitch.

As for suggestions that young players are not getting a chance, then perhaps you can explain why Gary Fisken, Lloyd Doyley and David Noble have all featured in the first team.

Attendances are up on this stage last season I can recall us getting only 11,000 against Bolton when were briefly top of the table.

And I couldn't give a monkey's about the share price. I'm a football supporter not a City broker.

If you are not 100 percent behind what Watford are trying to achieve under Vialli, then I suggest you stay away believe me, you won't be missed.

Ian Barton, Regent Street, North Watford

October 30, 2001 15:30