To ask about this crossword clue?

[FlamedToACrisp]

In a novel by Colin Dexter, Inspector Morse solves a cryptic clue in the Times crossword:

Eyes had I - and saw not.

The answer, he realises, is WATSON.

Wtf? Can anyone explain how this is a fair clue?

It's an anagram and refers to a quote from Sherlock Holmes, about Watson having eyes but not observing (or similar).

Eyes had I suggesting a person/living thing .... Saw not anagram of Watson ..... Watson being the person

Watson is an anagram of saw not. Other than that I haven't anything else to contribute

This is why I'm terrible at cryptic crosswords! I'd've guessed needle!

Though I actually know the quote being referred to - it's from a scandal in Bohemia - I listened to it on a podcast just last week.

I'm hopeless

Here's the reference

Gargh! I arrived too late. But yes, it's a quote and a linked anagram.

@Veterinari which podcast was it if you don't mind me asking? I'm on the hunt for new ones!

Ooh, well done, @fishonabicycle! This is why I don't do the Times crossword, I guess... I would never have got that answer in a million years, and I've read the Sherlock Holmes stories several times, though not recently. Even now, I don't see why it isn't 'I had eyes...'

[quote Spottybluepyjamas]@Veterinari which podcast was it if you don't mind me asking? I'm on the hunt for new ones![/quote]
It was 'phoebe reads a mystery'

She's the host of the 'criminal' podcast and has a lovely soothing voice and reads a chapter of a mystery/detective book each day.
I particularly like her Holmes and Christie readings as bedtime stories

@Veterinari Thank you! I'll give it a go :)

@Veterinari

This is why I'm terrible at cryptic crosswords! I'd've guessed needle!

I guessed potato! Because that similar to the riddle, along the lines of 'what has eye's but cannot see?'

But I like your answer better, clever !

It's not a very good clue because there's no pointer to its being an anagram, nor to the whole word. Times clues are always more balanced and elegant.

That's also a good guess zebra yes I always try and riddle them out

I think I need a cryptic crossword expert to explain the pattern in the clues - I don't really know how they work

Here's an easy one from today's Times Quick Cryptic:
Old man cracked nut (7)

It's a good crossword to get you going as not too hard. I can't do the proper one at all.

Is it definitely 7 letters? I make it 6 - ALMOND😀

I'm sure I vaguely recognise the "Eyes had I and saw not". The Bible perhaps? Romeo and Juliet?

Winniewonka
I thought KERNAL ?? as in COLONEL usually an old man !

I haven't a clue really.

(You can spell it KERNEL but there's only one E in the clue).

Colin Dexter set crosswords for the Oxford Times and was a crossword fanatic, so there are lots of references to them in his books.

It should be ALMOND - anagram of OLD MAN, but that's only 6 letters!!

Old man = the letters you need to use
Cracked = tells you it's an anagram
Nut = the clue

But (7) indicates the letters - so there is something amiss...