A couple of months ago it looked as though Watford might challenge Sheffield United for that second automatic promotion spot, but the third-placed Hornets now have to be content with a place in the end-of-season knockout alongside Leeds, Preston and Crystal Palace. One of the major reasons behind Adrian Boothroyd's success this term has been the form of striker Marlon King, who is currently leading the Championship goalscoring standings with an impressive haul of 21 league goals. Givemefootball's Mark Shail caught up with the 26-year-old at the PFA awards as he collected his commemorative medal after being included in the Championship Team of the Season.
Q:YOU MUST BE DELIGHTED WITH THE WAY THINGS HAVE GONE THIS SEASON?
A:Yes definitely, a lot of people thought we would be down their battling to avoid relegation but we've proved all those people wrong and the manager has brought in some good players that have given the team a nice blend of youth and experience.
Q:THERE ARE SOME GREAT STRIKERS IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE NAMED IN THE TEAM OF THE SEASON?
A:It's great and I appreciate all those players who voted for me. All I have done this season is keep my head down, work hard, and it's paid off. But it's been a team effort and I wouldn't be standing here tonight without the help of all my teammates at Watford.
Q:HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU GOING INTO THE PLAY-OFFS?
A:The four teams involved are pretty well matched, but it's not about league form - it's about who's the best on the day. Whoever we come up against, we'll look to take the game to them and hopefully that will be enough to see us get to Cardiff.
Q:DO HAVE ANY PREFERENCE IN TERMS OF WHICH SIDE YOU WILL MEET IN THE SEMI FINALS?
A:I don't really mind who we come up against, but I think it would be nice if we could have the away leg first. Our form on the road has been good this season and if we can get that away tie first then we will be looking to take some kind of result back to Vicarage Road - that would be perfect.
Q:WHAT WOULD IT MEAN TO YOU TO REACH THE CARDIFF SHOWPIECE?
A:It would be great for the players, but also for the fans because they have been wonderful all season. They saw one or two of their star players leave last summer but they've been behind us from day one and showed great faith in us. It would be a great way to repay them by giving them a day out at the Millennium Stadium.
Q:THERE WERE A FEW EYEBROWS RAISED WHEN ADRIAN BOOTHROYD WAS GIVEN THE MANAGERIAL REINS AT THE CLUB, WHAT HAS HE BROUGHT TO WATFORD?
A:He brings a freshness, he has new ideas and he's come to the club with no fear and the players have responded to that. He has a lot of new ideas in terms of his coaching methods but one of his main strengths is that he's a good man-manager. He talks to his players and has proved that if you're good enough, you're old enough. All the young players at the club know they have a good chance of getting into the team under this manager.
Q:HOW FAR DO YOU THINK HE CAN GO IN THE GAME?
A:He will go to the top – without a doubt. He has come so far in such a short space of time. I had worked with him at Leeds, when he was first team coach there and I was on loan, and when he got the Watford job I knew he would do well. Adrian had to take a lot of flak when he took over at Watford but he has risen to the challenge.
