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Town are understood had an offer accepted by Watford for keeper Scott Loach. The 24-year-old former England U21 international, who we reported was the subject of a Town enquiry in late June, was previously with the Blues’ academy between 1997 and 2000 before his family returned to hometown Nottingham.
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 - 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.
Presumably making reference to his proposed move to the Blues, Loach tweeted earlier this evening: "So buzzing right now. Hopefully more will become clear soon."
Loach can be seen in action for Town’s academy in this short film.
Photo: Action Images
Photo: Action Images
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Shame, he was very dodgy last season... and on that basis is completely over-rated by people on here. Hopefully it was one bad season and he can do well here, but I have little confidence in him.
Fingers crossed this happens! Would be a great signing I reckon, because he's...
* Young
* England U-21 on his CV.
* He's English and knows the area. So settling in problems are greatly reduced.
* Ipswich fan (not many of those). It means caring about the result and extra effort to stay in your perfect job. If you've been in that position in life, you'll understand. [I do worry about the patience of our new breed of impatient flouncers who follow a trail of negativity like gormless sheep. Will they have enough knowledge to understand player form, 'settling in periods', and other football factors? Or have FM games completely confused them now with the real world?]
* Like Chambers, he's just had his one bad season, having been at a club for a while (which is normal). If you know football, this is a good sign - a cheaper price and 'ready to prove' something again. Attitude should be good.
* He's tall AND a shot-stopper I believe. We seem to criticise keepers either for being 'tall and no good at shotstopping', or 'short and no good at crosses'.
PS It would be great to have Loach and Kello here together, then dispense with Alb perhaps (as his wages will be low enough to write off). [Disclaimer: yes I AM aware negative weak-minded fans simply cannot grasp this concept]
Jewell's signings have been pretty decent over the last couple of years. Even the few that flopped were rated at the time (ie Bowyer). It is a world away from the Roy Keane tenure, when no one seemed to want to come unless they knew him...and happened to like playing under a psychotic childish moron.
Personally I'd sign loach n Kello n let ALB leave unfortunately he is never going 2 b good enough 2 b number 1: I hope the club get some positive posts if Loach signs: it's not jewell fault newspapers n websites keep linking us with players we are not interested in: unfortunately fans will always even like or hate a player I wait for tomoz when I see posts saying not good enough or he has too many tattoo's usual nonsense I've seen him live 3/4 times home n away never thought he was a bad keeper I look forward too cheering his name on 18th August CoYB!!!!
Loach has potential - and if anyone can improve him Webster can - if it happens, could be anything from an excellent signing to a complete waste of time.
Wish the lad well if he signs, he obviously wants to come here and prove himself - that's a good starting point for anyone - and maybe us !!
Yeah a lot of people seeing this move through 'Blue Blood' goggles, yes as mentioned pluses are his age and he will certainly not lack in commitment but is that enough? as mentioned by a few other posters is Kello now out of the picture? it seems strange to take him on tour and within 24 hours or so we snap Loach up! We've looked at been linked with better keepers in the off season and somehow feel a little underwhelmed by his appointment but all the same I wish him all the best and hope he does Town proud.
I am not bothered about the views of Watford fans as anyone can have a bad year and very often a change of club sorts that out. We have to show some confidence in the management. My one worry is that potentially we are going into the new season with a combination of a young defence and a young 'keeper. I would have preferred an older head. I hope that I am proved wrong.
There's long been an argument in pubs up and down the land about whether 11 due hard fans with good football ability would beat 11 players fat superior than them. I believe they would for that extra blade of grass they'd cover, the passion they show and their desire to work hard on and off the field!
Everyone on here would kill to play for town. Loach is no exception and with such a strong coaching staff forming, this is a great signing for me if it happens!
Delighted.
He'll make mistakes but will be the person hurting the most in that side after every game if we lose. Loach is another Joe Lewis for me! Bags of potential and good enough currently to be number one!
I am delighted with this, a hungry no.1 who has been more loyal to ITFC whilst at Watford than some of the players he left behind. So many positive things coming out of the club at the minute chuffed with Chambers, Klug and Scowie I'm starting to recognise the football club again.
These things won't be a quick fix but I like the direction.
Well I'm pleased to hear this! some people are never happy!! This a young 24 year old Championship keeper who wants to play for us, not only wants to play for us, BUT is a true blue fan!!! Surely, he will give every ounce of effort & for that he will receive my total backing.
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