AFTER a tremendous first half to the season, Watford defender Lee Hodson has received a double boost this week.
Yesterday (Thursday) he was one of three players nominated for the Championship Manager Apprentice of the Year for the Championship.
He will compete with Adam Matthews (Cardiff City) and Nathan Modest (Sheffield Wednesday) for the coveted award.
Earlier this week Hodson also finally received his award as the Football League Education Apprentice of the Month winner for November.
Due to the two first-team home fixture postponements in January and being given some time off last week against Sheffield United, Hodson received his award before the Bristol City game on Tuesday night from boss Malky Mackay.
The youngster told www.watfordfc.com he was proud, if not a little surprised to receive the accolade.
"Obviously it means a lot to me," he said. "To get Apprentice of the Month is a great feeling - to know you are doing well and people are noticing."
"Getting into the first team was amazing as I'm still classed as a scholar with my age, so that's an achievement in itself.
"After watching Ross Jenkins last year it inspired me to try and do what he did.
"You've seen the gaffer playing lots of young players in the first team this year and we've got a great Academy here.
"The players who have come through the Academy are an example of the club's success; Adrian Mariappa, Lloyd Doyley and players like Ashley Young who have moved into the Premiership.
"Our Academy has great young potential and if they are good enough - which the fans have already seen - the manager will give you the chance."
As if to highlight Hodson's point, Watford's Under-18s were victors at Anfield this week, ensuring their place in the quarter finals of the FA Youth Cup again this year.
"We got to the quarters last year," recalls the defender, "so it's a great achievement to get through to the same stage this year.
"Beating Liverpool at Anfield was a great achievement for them and as my old team mates, I'm delighted for them.
"Chelsea at home will be great and hopefully a big crowd will come to Vicarage Road and get behind them to watch them get through to the next round.
"I am a bit gutted I'm going to miss out on it but our youth team is doing well so hopefully they can get a result on Wednesday night."
The Watford-born youngster took the time to reflect on his whirlwind season so far.
"Since Leeds in the Carling Cup, I've played in every game," he said.
"I didn't expect it all to happen so quickly and get involved in the first team this early but it's been great to get the experience now.
"Now I'm back I just need to try and impress the gaffer and get back into the first team again.
"It's going to be hard of course, with Lloyd Doyley and Adrian Mariappa in front of me who are great, experienced professionals so I have to make sure I watch them and try to work on improving what I do."
Martin Taylor, the latest addition to the Watford back four - nicknamed 'Tiny' - has made a big impression on Hodson.
"Martin's played in the Premiership and played against big players so to bring his experience into the back four has helped us a lot.
"He's got a big physical presence and dominates in the air and just watching the way he plays you can tell he's had a lot of experience.
"This is paying off for us and as a back four we just want to continue getting clean sheets and move up the table."
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