RAMON VEGA is one of six Watford players who have been placed on the transfer list and I fancy there may be a couple of others who the Hornets might consider releasing if they got so much as a nibble on the line.

Vega is quoted as saying that he was surprised that Watford have to trim their budget and now have financial restrictions, which were not in place when he signed.

There is a certain logic to that remark. On the face of it, we should go "oh dear, poor, misled Ramon" who was offered a salary and then told after eight months that the club cannot realistically continue to pay it.

Of course, if Vega stays at Vicarage Road and does not get a move, Watford will have to honour their commitment, but one wonders about the sort of advice given to players by their agents and the degree of perception possessed by such players.

Vega joined Watford having, it was reported, turned down offers from Athletico Madrid and Celtic. The newspaper story quoted one of the managers, expressing disappointment, saying that he could not match Watford's offer.

Watford? In the same financial company as Athletico Madrid and Celtic, and then outbidding them?

Did Ramon and company see the money and not think beyond the first pay-cheque? Clubs like Watford cannot afford to pay £1m a year salaries unless they gain a quick return on the investment.

You do not have to be a financial analyst of great perception to appreciate that Watford were having a punt, that their gates and marketing revenue are insufficient to support such a wage bill unless they can hitch on to the Premiership gravy train.

Contrary to some critics, I congratulate the board on introducing the new budget. Obviously, had Watford been in the Play Offs, the board would have taken a different view. They might even have been tempted to invest further if the Hornets did not make it next season, seeing clear evidence that they are on the right track.

However, the season has been one of costly disappointment and before the financial shortcomings start to accelerate and the gap widens between solvency and adventure, they have brought it to a sharp halt.

The board has in effect said: this is your budget for next season and how you arrange it, is down to you. Vialli, instead of flouncing out or reacting negatively, has faced the responsibilities, faced up to the reality and come up with the cost-cutting transfer list.

The only surprise is that anyone is surprised.