Hornets rue King absence
22 Dec 2006 - 09:29:57
Watford assistant-manager Keith Burkinshaw admits the Hornets have been hit hard by the loss through injury of striker Marlon King.
The Jamaica hitman topped the club's goalscoring charts last season but picked up a knee injury in November that ruled him out of the rest of the season.
Burkinshaw admits the loss has been compounded by the advent of the transfer window which has prevented manager Adrian Boothroyd from drafting in a replacement striker.
"Marlon is out for the rest of the season, but in previous years we would have been able to sign someone else," he said.
"You can't do it now until the window. This is what hits clubs like ours, who don't have a big staff.
"It doesn't affect the big clubs too much, because they have virtually two teams of full internationals they can choose.
"We have had eight draws from 17 games, and we haven't taken chances as we might have done.
"Certain things haven't gone for us from a refereeing point of view, but I feel we could have been halfway up the table if we had taken more chances.
"Last season we were the second highest scorers in the Championship, whereas this season we are struggling like hell to get a goal.
"I would like to think that when one or two of the players start putting the ball in the net, they will gain confidence and continue."
