THE Hornets will continue their search to strengthen Malky Mackay's squad in the forthcoming weeks after the Club was frustrated in attempts to bring new players to Vicarage Road.

On deadline day (Tuesday 1 September), the Club couldn't complete their desired deals despite getting incredibly close to securing a couple of players. 

Watford Chairman Jimmy Russo said: "It was a long, busy day and transfer window as a whole, but unfortunately we've been unable to bring in the players we wanted and that's frustrating.

"But, we're now already looking towards the emergency loan window opening and further still to the January window. We certainly haven't finished our activity for the season."

Speaking today (Wednesday) boss Mackay was calm and confirmed that any deals have to be right for Watford Football Club.

He added: "We had a lot of business going on right up until 5.00pm but none of it actually came to fruition, but a lot of markers have been put down for once the loan window reopens.

"Ideally I want to get permanent signings into the Club but when you're in a limited market, in terms of the budgets we have, its easy to be sucked into making a drastic mistake just purely because you want to get a signing in.

Mackay is waiting for the right player

"That can then be regretted at your leisure and you're then left with someone potentially for the next three years."

The loan window reopens on Tuesday 8 September and so far the Hornets have dipped into that market with two superb acquisitions after Henri Lansbury and Tom Cleverley arrived from Arsenal and Manchester United respectively.

"We don't want to bring players in for the sake of it - they have to offer us something new, improve the squad and it has to be right for the Football Club" commented Russo.

"We will wait until the right deal arises for Watford."

The transfer of Mike Williamson was completed yesterday (Tuesday) with the Hornets receiving £2m guaranteed, which could rise to £3m from the Premiership outfit, while there is also a substantial sell-on clause for the 'Orns. 

The defender's transfer request was turned down last week by the Golden Boys after the Club refused a bid for his services.

However, after the improved bid met criteria set by the Club, the Hornets decided to sell the former Wycombe player after he declared himself unable to travel to Swansea with the rest of the squad last Friday.

Watford Chairman Jimmy Russo

Watford's Chairman added: "His move wasn't on the radar but things change quickly and he was only going to leave the Club if the sums were right and if a Premiership club came in for him.

"We were disappointed with his attitude but we had to think about the harmony at the Club and the morale of the squad.

"If a player doesn't want to play for us you have to move quickly with the end of the window in sight."

Watford's boss Mackay has also moved to reassure supporters who had been expecting some new faces in WD18.

The former centre half reiterated: "We were trying for various deals to get a permanent signing into the Club, once again I have to say clearly that it has to be right for the Football Club.

"It can't be because of panic, because if you bring someone in like that he could be here for three years and you can immediately regret that and I'm not prepared to waste the Club's money in a situation like that.

"We're not about panicking or gambling to get someone in the door, it's about making sure the players we get in are better than the players here and they also have to want to come to the Club and they are the key things."

Mackay is now looking towards the next loan window

The work now continues for the Club, but the Chairman remains confident the Hornets can again unearth some suitable players after the success of the January transfer window.

Earlier in the year the 'Orns brought in Williamson and Don Cowie permanently, as well as bringing the likes of Jack Cork to Vicarage Road.

"We haven't been able to get our targets in this particular transfer window" said Russo, "but the work goes on behind the scenes.

"Our scouting network is intense and we do have a list of players, we haven't been able to hit them yet but the loan market will start up again and we'll go from there and have one eye on January as well."

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