U21 Spotlight: Marvin Sordell

Watford, thus far, have managed to set a very impressive record with their goalscoring ways.  All 21 goals scored by Watford have been by English players, and with them sitting in an unexpected 4th place, they'll hope the goals keep coming.  Marvin Sordell has played a big part in this record, scoring 5 of the goals (plus another goal in the League Cup), just one goal behind top scorer Danny Graham.

The Hornets are starting to develop a name for themselves with developing young talent.  It was at Watford where Ashley Young, before he moved to Aston Villa in 2007 for a club record fee, started to showcase what he has to offer.  More recently such talents like Scott Loach, first-team England U21 goalkeeper, and Sordell are still playing their trade at Vicarage Road.  And we can't forget where David James started his career before he made a name for himself with Liverpool.

Sordell's career, however, started at neighbouring London club Fulham where he played as a schoolboy.  Then he moved onto Watford and signed up for a two-year scholarship in 2007.  In 2008, he was loaned out to non-league side Wealdstone for a work experience placement (yes, even professional footballers have these).  He scored 2 goals during his short stint there where he made 5 appearances.

[caption id="attachment_224" align="aligncenter" width="320" caption="Instant impact: Sordell didn't hang around to showcase his talents for Watford"][/caption]

After impressing during his scholarship, Sordell signed a professional contract with the Hornets in 2009.  He made his professional debut only 2 games into the new season, replacing experienced striker Nathan Ellington in a 2-0 away defeat against Sheffield United.  Only 10 days later he managed his first senior goal too, forcing an eventual 2-1 loss to Leeds in the League Cup to extra time.

Manager Malky Mackay saw the player as a prospect, so during the January 2010 transfer window he was sent out on loan to League One Tranmere Rovers to gain more first-team experience.  The loan deal was initially for one-month but was later extended.  In total, Sordell managed 1 goal for the Merseyside team in 8 appearances.

As the tail-end of the 2009/10 season approached, Mackay opted to put his faith in Sordell and give the youngster some playing time, despite Watford having a potentially nervy end to the season.  He repaid the manager's faith by scoring a fantastic goal against Coventry, tipping off a 4-0 victory to regain the air of confidence in the squad.

[caption id="attachment_225" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Eye for goal: Sordell has managed 5 league goals already this season (Getty Images)."][/caption]

Fast forward to the 2010/11 season and Sordell has proved his worth.  As mentioned above, the young striker has managed 5 league goals in 10 games (achieving the desired 1 in 2 ratio so far) and they don't seem to be stopping quite yet.

As a reward for this fine form, in late September, Marvin was offered a new contract to hold him down at Vicarage Road.  A fine plan by the team as he seems to be following in the footsteps of previous youth successes.  It's not just the board and backroom staff who have noticed his talents either - Sordell was also nominated for Championship Player of the Month for September.

However, in signing a new contract with the club, he has shown good values and a level head in terms of the future.  Sordell was quoted in saying "...there is a long way to go before I can feel established...I can't afford to get carried away just because I have scored a few goals".  For a young player to have such modesty is a great thing to see, and will no doubt help him along his development.

[caption id="attachment_226" align="aligncenter" width="320" caption="Pace: Sordell uses his pace to his advantage in the final third."][/caption]

With the future of English football being heavily under the public eye in light of the disappointing World Cup campaign, players like Sordell are many years away from achieving such accolades, but will no doubt be one of the many players under the watchful eye of whoever will be England manager come the 2014 World Cup.  The first step for the player will be U21 caps, and if his form continues, Stuart Pearce would be a fool to pass up his talents.

The Second Chance Saloon

Coventry City have confirmed the signing of jailbird Marlon King on a one-year contract.  King had been training with Coventry ever since his release from prison in late July 2010.  He will no doubt be an unpopular figure in the eyes of Coventry's opposing fans, but should he be given his second chance? And what do Coventry's fans themselves think of him joining the Sky Blues?

[caption id="attachment_88" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Return of the King: Marlon King has joined Coventry on a one-year contract after his jail sentence. (Getty Images)"][/caption]

King has a history of offences littering his CV, dating as far back as 1997 ranging from violent crimes to motoring offences, once receiving a 18-month sentence, which was reduced to 9, for one of the aforementioned motoring offences.  So should someone like King be given another chance? Debatably not just his second chance but maybe his third or fourth.

It takes some bravery for Aidy Boothroyd, who managed King in his most successful spell at Watford, to take him on at Coventry but you cannot deny his ability on the pitch.  When Boothroyd was at Watford with King, he managed almost a goal every other game, scoring 36 league goals from 81 league games and also earning the golden boot in their play-off winning season in 2005/06.  So, ability-wise this surely can't be a risky deal?  King's confidence should certainly be hit in light of recent events however this may not be the case in respect to his previous convictions, not necessarily a quality you want from your player though.

We can't just look at Marlon King as the only "villain" in this area.  Other noticable names that have come under the public spotlight for their off the field antics and eventual jail time over the past decade include ex-West Brom striker Lee Hughes, ex-Plymouth goalkeeper Luke McCormick and Newcastle's Joey Barton.

[caption id="attachment_87" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Charged: Joey Barton, Luke McCormick and Lee Hughes have all served, or are serving, jail sentences."][/caption]

Lee Hughes has made a respectable return back into the public eye.  After being jailed for death by dangerous driving in August 2004 he was sentenced with six years in jail, eventually serving 3 years after his release in August 2007.  Whilst in prison he stayed with his football roots, playing games for Featherstone FC, a part-time side who make up part of the Staffordshire County Senior League.

Upon his release he was almost instantly signed up by Oldham Athletic, signing a two year contract at Boundary Park where he scored 25 goals in 55 appearences - keeping up his impressive scoring record of the days before his sentence.  Since then he has had a loan spell at Blackpool and secured a contract at now League One Notts County, signed under the 'Sven regime'.  Hughes was essentially one of the big names in that era for Notts County and absolutely excelled in League Two, scoring 30 goals and winning the golden boot for the 09/10 season.  Many County fans will no doubt have forgotten his troublesome past now and surely has been re-accepted back into society.

Joey Barton has a reputation of being a trouble-maker on and off the field.  The height of his misdemeanour's came in May 2008 where he was sentenced to 6 months in prison, however serving only just over 2 and a half months inside.  Other incidents Barton was involved in was during his time at Manchester City.  These include a training ground assault on former team-mate Ousmane Dabo and even going out as far as stubbing a cigar out in, reserve player, Jamie Tandy's eye.  Unlike Hughes, Barton has redeemed this trouble-maker side throughout his career.  However times might be changing with him taking a more conservative approach in Newcastle's return season to the Premier League - time will tell.

Lastly the case of former Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Luke McCormick.  McCormick was breaking into the Argyle first-team squad, sharing and eventually gaining goalkeeping duties with existing first-teamer Romain Larrieu.  But in July 2008 his contract was cancelled after light of the events where he killed two children in a car crash.  There isn't much to say about McCormick's case, he was convicted with death by dangerous driving and DUI after pleading guilty and jailed for seven years and four months.  Thus far he has served over two years of the term, but will it be a case similar to the aforementioned players, and be released earlier?  And when he is released, will he perform similarly to Lee Hughes and make his way back into professional football in a respectable manner?  Both players were convicted for similar offences, but the decision will obviously be up to McCormick.