Doyle versus King

[Olzy]

This coming weekend sees fourth placed Watford travel to table topping Reading, in what is sure to be an intriguing clash between two of the Championship’s most attack minded teams.

A number of outstanding individuals will be on display at the Madejski Stadium, but here at the Golden Boys we thought we would take a detailed look at two of the main protagonists, the inspirational Kevin Doyle of Reading, who recently capped an impressive first season by receiving his first full international call up for the Republic of Ireland, and our very own Marlon King.

Doyle started his professional career at St. Patrick’s Athletic before moving to Cork City in February 2003 and after a successful spell there moved onto Reading in the summer of 2005. Such was his influence at Cork that he still received a championship medal when his former team won the Irish Premiership in November 2005.

Doyle was originally signed by the Berkshire club’s manager, Steve Coppell as back up, but injuries to key players soon elevated him to the first team and the young 22-year-old has not looked back since.

After several impressive performances he has cemented his place in the Royals’ first team and he has now netted 15 goals including two against Luton Town recently, whilst becoming an integral member of Coppell’s all conquering side.

Doyle’s sheer pace and skill has terrorised many defences this season, and his link up play with his striking partner, whether it be Dave Kitson or the now injured Leroy Lita, is superb.

The talented young Irishman prefers to play off the shoulder of defenders, and his goal scoring ability has helped Reading score an impressive 80 goals so far this season, and at just £80,000 he looks like the best bit of business done by a Championship club this season.

25-year-old Marlon King on the other hand started his career at Barnet, before moving to Gillingham in the 2000/01 season.

King’s goal stats were impressive, with a total of 47 goals bagged in 93 starts, enough reason for Nottingham Forest to pay £950,000 for him when they were looking for a replacement for the West Ham bound Marlon Harewood.

However, the weight of expectation from the demanding Forest fans made it a difficult time for the likeable Jamaican at the City Ground, and towards the end of last season he was loaned to Leeds United where he first came across present Golden Boys manager, Aidy Boothroyd.

Boothroyd was soon to swap Roads, Elland for Vicarage, but had already seen enough of the Dulwich born striker to tempt him back nearer his birthplace during the close season.

Originally on a loan deal until January, the charismatic Boothroyd also was clever enough to insert a clause giving the Horns first refusal to buy the front man at the start of the New Year if they so wished. After many impressive performances, and having weighed in with his fair share of goals, the Golden Boys duly signed him for £500,000.

During his time at Vicarage Road, he has proved that he is much more than an out and out goal scorer. His tireless effort and excellent build up play has helped the Golden Boys net many a goal this season.

Amongst his many impressive performances throughout the month of January stands out his display in the last gasp 3-2 victory at Norwich City, in which the immensely gifted King created all three Watford goals with quick thinking and sublime skill.

His outstanding displays deservedly earned him the first Championship Player of the Month award for 2006, despite the fact that he only scored once during the period, against Crewe Alexandra.

Not that King has not scored on a consistently, he is currently the Championship’s leading marksman with 18 goals.

Many have been crucial and invariably spectacular, with efforts against Norwich City in September and Plymouth Argyle and Burnley in December, in particular sticking in the mind.

So there we are the scene has been set.

These two outstanding players are just two of many on display this Saturday who would grace the Premiership next season. With Reading almost assured of elevation to the top tier come the end of the season let’s hope that King and colleagues will be joining them come early May.


source: watford-mad.co.uk