Boothroyd is Manager of the Month
Mar 2, 2006
Author: Iceman

Following Watford's impressive campaign so far, it had remained one of life's great mysteries why Aidy Boothroyd had not been rewarded for his efforts with the Championship Manager of the Month award. Circumstances had conspired against him until now, but at last Boothroyd has landed the honour.

From the moment The Hornets trounced Sheffield United 4-1 at Bramall Lane it appeared that this could be the month for Aidy, particularly when that success was followed up with a 4-0 demolition of Coventry. However, a very unfortunate 2-1 reverse at promotion rivals Leeds United suggested the award could well be heading up to Yorkshire instead. Despite this setback, Aidy was not to be denied, and whilst Leeds continued to struggle against sides with less than the full complement of players, Watford showed their mental strength to bounce back with hard-earned victories against Brighton and Cardiff, with Marlon King's 88th minute winner against the Bluebirds sealing three points for The Hornets and Manager of the Month for Boothroyd.

Aidy was typically modest on receiving the award when he spoke to the official club site, watfordfc.com. "Obviously, as the manager, I'm the one to get the praise today but it really is the result of all the work put in by the players and all the staff at the club."

Despite this achievement, Aidy will be very much aware that it is the remaining two months that will be most critical in defining Watford's season. The emphasis now is firmly on catching Sheffield United to take the second automatic promotion place, and with the gap closed to just seven points with ten games remaining, this is definitely within Watford's capabilities.

If The Hornets are to cap a remarkable season with an even more remarkable promotion place, then they will need to keep up their current form for the remainder of the campaign. This is what Boothroyd has set his sights on, as he revealed when speaking about the award. "I've been on the shortlist for a couple of other months too so it's good to finally win it. What would be even better would be to pick it up again at the end of March and then the end of April."

Were Boothroyd to achieve that and crown Watford's campaign with automatic promotion, he would be very much in line for Manager of the Year as well!