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Town are understood to have made an enquiry regarding Watford keeper Scott Loach. The Hornets may be will willing to sell the former England U21 international, who was previously with the Blues’ academy between 1997 and 2000 before his family returned to hometown Nottingham, as they are reportedly set to sign former Cardiff man Tom Heaton, who is a free agent.
The 6ft 4in tall keeper established himself as Watford’s number one during 2008/09 but after a drop in form fell out of favour at Vicarage Road last season with Manchester United’s Tomasz Kuszczak — Town’s number one keeper target until he joined Brighton last week - coming in on loan.
In addition to his spells as a youngster with the Blues — where he will have worked with current keeper-coach Malcolm Webster and returning academy director Bryan Klug - and Nottingham Forest, Loach was also with Southwell United and Lincoln City's youth set-ups, spending time on loan with the likes of Bourne Town, Radcliffe Olympic, Boston Town, Spalding United, Stamford, Lincoln United, Gedling Miners Welfare and Grantham Town while with the Imps.
In April 2006 Loach moved on to Watford, Lincoln receiving £50,000 in compensation. Prior to breaking into the first team at Vicarage Road he went on further loan spells at Stafford Rangers, Morecambe and Bradford City.
Loach, who was capped 14 times at U21 level, is unlikely to be the only keeper the Blues have enquired about — in addition to Kuszczak, former Peterborough man Joe Lewis was sounded out earlier in the close season — and other Championship clubs are also believed to be interested.
The Blues have also been mentioned in connection with a number of other keepers this summer, amongst them Birmingham's Colin Doyle, although with sources close to the club playing any interest down, ex-Aston Villa man Brad Guzan, who is available on a free transfer and understood to be a Hull City target, and QPR's Paddy Kenny, who is expected to be reunited with Neil Warnock at Leeds.
Manchester United's Ben Amos was linked with a possible loan, while 23-year-old Tottenham man David Button, who was at Portman Road with Barnsley last season, could well be available on a similar basis and will be well-known to Bryan Klug from his time working at White Hart Lane.
Loach can be seen in action for Town’s academy in this short film.
Photo: Action Images
Photo: Action Images
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It seems that a lot of Watford fans don't overly rate him. I know opinion is divided about him on here, but don't look at this as he is good just because he supports Town, ALB is a Town man but many don't rate him. I don't believe there's a lot in it between them and personally would rather a better class of keeper here, but being realistic can we get that keeper? Kuszczak has already (apparently) rejected us in favour of Brighton so are we really going to get someone like Guzan? Maybe we're at a level at the moment where we just can't get the top (Championship level) players. If so then that's not the level I believe or an happy with us being at but hopefully it is a platform we can build on.
All this talk is a little bit unconfirmed. There is another 11 days til preason and kickoff is in August. Give Jewell the time to get the right players in and get off his back. ME owns the club , so ultimately it's up to him.
I hope we can sign him and soon. It has been said already by many but with him wanting to join us must be a huge advantage and reason to sign him. Has always done well in the games I've seen him play in. Over to you Mr Torch Bearer Clegg!
He's young, supports Ipswich and it wasn't that long ago he was on the England bench and on Tottenhams wish list! He will only improve and can be our number 1 for a long time! Get him in please!!
I think it is important that PJ gets the decision on the next goalkeeper right. The club has had far far too many different keepers over the past few years and I suspect that this has contributed more than anything to the problems at the back. Loach was very highly rated not so long ago but has since had a bit of a dip in form. Hopefully this is just temporary and a fresh start would bring the best out of him.
So Watford bring in a goalkeeper they consider better to replace Loach on a free transfer, then they sell Loach for a transfer fee? Not bad!
I don't know whether Loach is another Lee-Barrett. Yes, he is a local lad (a very good thing). Apart from loan spells he has clocked up 154 appearances for Watford so he is experienced at Championship level. He played 14 times for England U21s, which suggests a pedigree there, and he has only just turned 24. Loach is 5cm taller than Lee-Barrett too. Lots of positives there to make Loach sound a really good choice. I am just concerned about why Watford don't see him as good enough, that's my niggling worry about Loach.
Just because your hearts in it won't make you a better player, your telling me if he comes to us that will improve him because he supports us? - A bit disconcerting that Watford supporters don't rate him, they didn't rate Ellingford while he was on loan there and guess where he went next. Gotta be better goalies out there, never go against general fans opinions.
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