lack of malicious intent and his distress at the injury, and sending their best wishes to Eduardo. While Croatia captain Niko Kovač referred to the "brutality" of the incident and death threats appeared on the internet, Birmingham manager Alex McLeish and Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner, a former teammate of Taylor's, insisted that he was not a malicious player, and former manager Steve Bruce claimed that some might question whether Taylor even deserved a booking. At president Sepp Blatter's personal request, FIFA's disciplinary chairman reviewed the matter, suggesting that the Football Association increase Taylor's punishment from the standard three-match ban; they refused to do so as there was no suggestion of intent. Watford Taylor joined Championship club Watford on a free transfer on 29 January 2010. He signed a two-and-a-half-year contract. He made his Watford debut on 2 February, playing the full 90 minutes against Sheffield United at Vicarage Road. Watford won the match 3–0, with Taylor's commanding display helping towards their first win whilst keeping a clean sheet for over two months. He scored his first goal for Watford in a 2–0 win over Bristol City the following week. After USA defender Jay DeMerit left the club, Taylor and Adrian Mariappa were manager Malky Mackay's preferred central defensive partnership for the 2010–11 season. Despite struggling with injury towards the end of the season, Taylor was able to start all 46 of Watford's league games. He also played a further three games in other competitions and scored six league goals. Taylor was noted for his consistency during the season, and finished second in the voting for Watford F.C. Player of the Season behind Championship top-scorer Danny Graham. Taylor scored his first goal of the 2011–12 season on 28 August, in a 2–2 draw against former club Birmingham City. A dislocated collarbone suffered in October after a collision during Watford's home game against Crystal Palace kept him out for three months, and his return was further delayed when he broke his toe in a friendly in January 2012. He finally returned to league action at West Ham United in early March, as substitute for the concussed Dale Bennett, and was made captain for his first start since the injury, away to Bristol City two weeks later. At the end of the season, Taylor signed a new one-year contract with Watford. Sheffield Wednesday On 31 August 2012, Taylor signed a two-year deal to