Watford manager Malky Mackay is determined to do everything he can to keep his squad intact.
Hornets boss has no plans to part with promising youngsters
Watford manager Malky Mackay is determined to do everything he can to keep his squad intact during the January transfer window.
The Hornets have become this year's surprise package after maintaining a top-six place for much of the Championship season.
However, their impressive performances have not gone unnoticed, with the likes of highly-rated goalkeeper Scott Loach and in-form youngster Marvin Sordell attracting admirers.
Despite growing interest from Premier League clubs, Mackay insists that he intends to strengthen rather than weaken his squad if possible over the coming weeks.
"We have got a very stable board in place here that aren't reactive and are very forward thinking, so they won't make any rash decisions this month," he told
skysports.com.
Developing
"We will have to wait and see what happens then though because you can never gauge who will come in for players until they actually do.
"We are a developing club that brings in youngsters and sells them on eventually.
"The good youngsters know that they can go on to bigger and better things if they do well for this football club.
"They know that Watford is a platform for them and that is a pulling power we do have over other clubs when we are competing for 16/17-year-olds because they know that they can break into the first team and rack up 100 or so Championship games before being sold on.
"Ashley Young is a perfect example of this because he could have left the club at 16, but chose to stay and learn his trade at this football club.
Finances
"He went on to be sold for £9 million at 21-years-old and that gives every youngster who walks into this club hope of emulating him.
"There is a point where a football club can get too financial with players and stifle a player when they are ready to test themselves at a higher level.
"I don't want that to stop because I know that we have got players here at the moment that can, and probably will, go on to better things.
"We have three players here that have gone on to make their full international debuts last year and in the last two years a host of players who have broken into the U21 sides for their country.
"That speaks volumes for the Academy and the thought process at this football club."
