Tony Dewhurst on Burnley's big test at Watford

GRAHAM Taylor's secretary politely declined my interview request with the former England manager on Friday.

Taylor, these days, is keeping a decidedly lower profile as he helps plot Watford's course back to the First Division.

It is, he says, a conscious decision to stay out of the football spotlight. It's an understandable stance for a man who was tried for treason by the national press.

Taylor's "Do I Not Like That " video held him up for ridicule as it chronicled his disintegration as England manager.

From Yanks 2, Planks 0 to the comparison with an oval vegetable and on to that night of torment in Rotterdam.

It was vicious personal criticism to live with.

Now, after a short but unsuccessful stint with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Taylor is back at Watford as their general manager nearly a decade after kick-starting the Watford revolution.

The first time around, with Elton John as the chairman, Taylor as manager and Luther Blissett as goalscorer-in-chief, Watford went on an incredible journey from the Fourth Division to the old First.

They were runners-up in the League, runners-up in the FA Cup and played in Europe.

Yet no man knows Taylor better than Burnley assistant John Ward. He will come face to face with his old mate when the Clarets hit the yellow brick road at Watford tonight.

Ward worked with Taylor at Watford and Aston Villa, and later as coach for the England Under-21 team.

It is period of his football life that helped shape his football character for later spells as manager in his own right at York and Bristol Rovers.

"Graham Taylor went through the mill with England and that video, yet he came out with a lot of self-respect and dignity," said Ward.

"He came in for a lot of personal criticism, a lot of it unfair.

"I was very fortunate to work with Graham for such a long period. I've never worked with a person who paid so much attention to detail, both with his own team and the opposition.

"We still keep in close touch and I know his work-rate is phenomenal. He was a huge appetite for the game and that rubs off on the people around him. Graham is not only a great friend but was also a great influence on my life."

Watford insist that Taylor is not pulling the football strings, everyone insists that Kenny Jackett is in complete control of the team. "He will be a tremendous asset to Watford," added Ward. "His knowledge and assistance will prove a major factor. Watford will not be far away at the end of this season.

"They are a big physical side. If you don't match them for that then you suffer the consequences."

The Clarets face arguably their toughest task of the season at Vicarage Road.

Since early reversals to Millwall and Plymouth, Watford have lost just once in the league since August.

Added Ward: "It's our biggest test of the season. If we come away from Vicarage Road with a result then we'll have done our job."

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