Watford try to fend off Newcastle for Mariappa

As with all walks of the food-chain approach to life, those who sit lower are always at disadvantage to those at the top. When a clownfish has something special to eat, the shark wants it or when the hawk thinks he has his dinner, the lynx is almost guaranteed to be out on the prowl to snatch it off him. In the football hierarchy, it is no different.

This is what Watford are experiencing now with their central-defensive talent, Adrian Mariappa. Having raised the 25 year old through the academy in his seven year spell at Vicarage Road, promoting him to captain. Yet, this all accounts for nothing as those bigger boys with more obvious financial muscle can also circle the water at any time.

This time it is that mean lot at Newcastle United who are lurking in the bushes ready to pounce with their predatory instincts, and a whole wad of Mike Ashley’s cash, for the highly-rated defender who has also been linked with Swansea City.

Newcastle, who are looking for cover at centre-half after the injury to Steven Taylor earlier in the season, have tabled a £2million bid which has been dismissed by Watford as “well short of their valuation” as they are understandably desperate to cling on to one of their most consistent performers.

London born Mariappa, who has Fijian and Congolese ancestry as a man of many origins, has 18 months remaining on his contract and Watford value him at £3 million. If Newcastle are to retire to the bank vaults to come back armed with another £1 million, they will do wisely to think that such consistency is worth it, Mariappa has missed just a single game in Watford’s past three Championship campaigns, making him more attendance worthy than an obese man to a hot-dog stall.

The defender also has Premier League experience after breaking into Aidy Boothroyd’s top-tier side back in 2006, but Newcastle won’t want to go to such large amounts after blowing a cool £9 million on Papiss Cisse. If he does venture up to the north east, Mariappa will be re-united with his ex-partner at Watford Mike Williamson who is one of only 2 fit centre-halves currently at St James’ Park.

So there you have why Newcastle want Mariappa and why Watford boss Sean Dyche is so desperate to “keep hold of all his best players” as he puts it so adamantly. The big club remain watching like a hawk while the smaller club tries to protect its prized offspring. It’s almost like something David Attenborough will be interested in.

@AdamGray1250