Desire takes Page from juniors to top

GRAHAM TAYLOR acknowledged Robert Page's success in winning The Watford Observer's Player of the Season Award, stressing that if the player gets the nod from the dressing room, the away fans and the home fans, it is 'thoroughly deserved'.

Said the Watford boss: 'It is good for Robert, who is a product of our youth system. It has been one hell of a three years for Robert. He has sampled the Premiership, enjoyed two promotions and picked up a number of caps for Wales along the way.

'When I first came back to this club, I saw this lad in training. I could see in him a desire even in that squad when we were at the bottom of the division.

'He had the correct attitude: you want it all of the time. I wondered if he was going to be big enough to be a centre half and wondered if he is going to be a right back?

'He got his chance to come in and Kenny made him the captain. He knew Robert far better but I thought it was probably a little bit early and my job was not to undermine Kenny but to support him.

'Robert was very proud as a player and was very proud to be captain of that side. Sometimes that commitment turns into frustration.

'There are times when he tries to win a ball going through opposition players, and he has to curb that and he has substantially improved on that aspect. It is a learning point, he is maturing and on commitment to the cause you could not fault Robert at all.

'He is only 25 and they say players peak at 27 to 28, so he still has time on his side.'

Taylor, unlike some of his predecessors, never votes in the Player of the Year, but admits: 'I would not argue with the selection of the top three players. I don't think a manager should vote.'

THE Watford skipper was naturally delighted with the award.

'It means the world to me. I came to the club when I was 11 years old and listening to Ian Bolton tonight, it is ironic because I remember that I used to stay with Mr and Mrs Booker, Ian's parents-in-law.

'The welcome I had when I first came to the club had a lot to do with Mr and Mrs Booker. Now it is the first time I have seen Ian and his wife Tina.

'But to get this trophy tonight means the world to me. The supporters this season have been absolutely fantastic and to get the vote from them is really good.

'Obviously, you do not enjoy being relegated or suffering the number of defeats we have had but just to say we have played in the Premiership, that Watford Football Club has been in the Premiership in the year 2000, I have to be honest and say that any supporter would have imagined that impossible a few years back.

'I didn't expect it. We won the Division Two title and I thought that maybe two, three or four years in the First Division and perhaps we will be promoted.

'We got promoted because of the way we played. It was not too early. When we got the chance we took it.

'We have played against numerous centre forwards who have been outstanding. The biggest thing is that if you make the slightest mistake or give them half a chance which more or less the same thing, they will capitalise on it.

'Playing against West Ham at the beginning of the season with Di Canio and Wanchope, who is only 22 and 23 and unbelievable.

'They are different from Cole and Yorke. The Manchester United pair are so good in the box. You literally have to grab their shirt to stay with them, but outside the box, Di Canio and Wanchope because if you give them a little space they will run at you and you have no idea what they are going to do.

'I have enjoyed the experience of playing in the Premiership and I feel there is only one league to be in, not just for the football, but the publicity and attention you get.

'I have learnt a hell of a lot, I have enjoyed aspects of it despite not wanting to be relegated.

'I am really speechless about winning Player of the Season. I thought it would be really close with Steve Palmer and Micah and myself playing all these games.

'I was intrigued to learn and know how players used to behave before we were professionals. I remember as an 11-year-old, watching the Kenny Jacketts and Luther Blissetts play and John McClelland as well, who I had the pleasure of meeting last week.

'It was really interesting to listen to his experience tonight.'

ALLAN SMART'S triumph with Goal of the Season, comes a year after he scored the determining goal in the Wembley play-off final and vowed that even 10 minutes' action in the Premiership would delight him.

'I thought there were a number of good goals but I have probably sneaked it because it is a winning goal. After the way last season went, to be given a chance to play in the Premier league, now looking back I think everybody at the club should take heart from it.

'I think on any one given day, I don't think our team is a poor team. We have been a bit unfortunate even though we know the League table does not lie.

'As for the goal, the way it came to me, I was happy to hit it first time, following my strike at Wembley. I had no time to think and sometimes that is the best way. I could probably hit another 100 in training and only score three or four.'

Smart voted for Richard Johnson's strike and Mark Williams.

'I thought Richard's at Manchester United was an awkward one to finish. Mark Williams' goal was a striker's goal. It was a great first touch. I also voted for Michel Ngonge's goal as well.'

Said Taylor: 'Smarty's finish was excellent and he knew exactly where it was going. The build-up was like a Premiership break.

'We took the ball off them, with Wooter and Robinson combining in the move.

'We had that break done against us a number of times, but that goal was not out of place in the Premier league.'

PLEASING, but no consolation for relegation: that was the view expressed by Heidar Helguson after winning the Display of the Season Award.

'I think even Robert Page would give up his award in exchange for staying up, but it is always nice to get awards, as long as they are positive, no matter what it is for,' he said.

Said Taylor: 'Heidar won this award for his performance against Liverpool's Hypia, who has just been voted one of the top six players in the country. He never won a ball in the air against Heidar on his debut.'

At the special presentation night at Sopwell House on Tuesday, former Player of the Season Ian Bolton reflected on aspects of his career and with particular reference to today's players, said: 'Enjoy it. It passed me by and while I enjoyed it, I never realised how good the times were, how good it was for me until I looked back long after my career was over.

'Be aware and enjoy it. They are marvellous days because it is quite a shock when it is over and you get back to the real world.'