McGugan aims to make up for lost time with Owls

Lewis McGugan is keen to put his Watford misery behind him and regain his enjoyment of football at Sheffield Wednesday.
New Sheffield Wednesday signing Lewis McGugan.New Sheffield Wednesday signing Lewis McGugan.
New Sheffield Wednesday signing Lewis McGugan.

The 26-year-old midfielder, who netted 11 times for the Hornets last season after moving from Nottingham Forest, has been the victim of a managerial merry-go-round at Vicarage Road which has seen five managers in his short time at the club.

He signed for Gianfranco Zola in the summer of 2013, but since then Giuseppe Sannino, Oscar Garcia and Billy McKinlay have all been and gone, leaving Slavisa Jokanovic in charge.

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McGugan has started just once in the last two months for Watford, and the Long Easton-born midfielder jumped at the chance of a loan move back North. “I spoke to a few people who have played under Stuart Gray before, and Wednesday are a massive club,” he said. “I am a Nottingham boy and the move ticked a lot of boxes.

“I just want to get back playing, get a smile on my face, and enjoy football. That’s the important thing. It’s something which I have lost over this season.

“Some people like the South, but it’s always nicer to come closer to home. My main residence is in Nottingham, so it’s ideal for me.”

McGugan has been surprised at his fall from grace at Watford, but the former England Under-19 youngster is keen to make a fresh start at Hillsborough.

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Asked what happened at Watford, he replied: “You tell me. Football’s a funny game and these things happen. You just have to move on and make the most of any situation.

“I know Sam Hutchinson, he was with me at Forest for a little spell, Joe Mattock from the days when playing against Leicester.

“It’s always intimidating going into new surroundings but the lads have made me feel very welcome.

“I just want to play football. It’s a big squad at Watford, and I am at that age now where I am very hungry and want to play as much as possible. Some people can sit on the bench and play here and there, I don’t want to do that at this point in my career. I want to get out and play football.”

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McGugan is open-minded about the future and whether a permanent deal away from Watford is an option.

“I am here until January and that’s all I am concentrating on at the moment,” said McGugan, who netted against the Owls in a 4-1 win for Watford at Hillsborough last season. “Everything else beyond that is not on my mind. We can re-assess the situation then.”