Transfer List

Discussion in 'The Transfer List' started by hornmeister, Jan 31, 2017.

  1. jw-

    jw- Reservist

    Think this coming season will see the teams from 8th down split into two groups, based on what I've seen from the transfers. Bournemouth, West Ham, Leicester, and Southampton have or will spend big I think. Some of the transfers have been pretty mind blowing:

    Ake (20mil), Maguire (17mil), Arnautovic (25mil), Iheanacho (25mil), Hernandez (12mil? 145k p/w).

    Then you have the lower section of teams, Huddersfield, Brighton, Burnley, Swansea, possibly Newcastle, Palace, and Stoke depending on what they do in the window.

    I think what we do in this window will determine in which group we are in, possibly for the foreseeable future, currently I'm worried that we'll end up in the lower group. This isn't a moan, the club is free to do as it wishes and I'm aware we have to be prudent; I'm just giving my analysis of the situation. From what I've seen over the last few years, I'm still not sure if Gino and co are really ready (or willing) to go spending large sums on individual players in their prime. The transfers we have done this window have been absolutely fantastic, but they are largely high potential - low cost deals. None of the players are guaranteed to come in and immediately lift the quality of the starting eleven (imo).

    There are noticeable gaps in our squad. Our striking options are not enough to get us into the middle group of 8-14th, at least not across the course of the season. Then from our wingers we only have one who is guaranteed midtable PL quality, Peryra, and that's not even his best position. From the rest we might see some gems (Berghuis, Success), but it's not guaranteed.

    Again, I'm not have a go at the club, I'm really excited to see what this team can do. But I do think that the PL table could fragment further, and Gino needs to decide where he sees Watford.

    EDIT: Completely forgot to mention West Brom, says it all really.
     
  2. Burnsy

    Burnsy First Team

    I don't totally disagree but this is taking on the belief that if you spend big, then you will escape being dragged into trouble. And many teams have proven that not to be the case in the past. It's about spending wisely. Which we have done so far.
     
  3. jw-

    jw- Reservist

    But what is spending wisely? Buying 2 mediocre players at 10mil each, or one quality player at 20mil. I agree that spending money does not guarantee success, but what I was eluding to was that those players I listed are all proven in the PL to some extent, and that's what PL quality costs.
     
  4. Meh!

    Meh! Pre-Dictator

    In some cold, dark, and pokey little room somewhere this morning, Ian Holloway is cowering in corner repeatingly muttering to himself "it just aint roight... it just aint roight... it just aint roight..."
     
  5. Hairyfrog

    Hairyfrog Squad Player

    I am stealing this for the FB forum.
     
  6. KelsoOrn

    KelsoOrn Squad Player

    Have we signed anybody today yet? If not, why not? It's Thursday isn't it?
     
  7. CaveManHornet

    CaveManHornet Reservist

    Berghuis thread is locked so ill put it here... He has only gone and bloody scored in his debut as a "permanent" Feyenoord player!
     
  8. Nnnn

    Nnnn First Team

    ...before being put back into bed by the nurse
     
  9. Meh!

    Meh! Pre-Dictator

    Liverpool touched up vvd before the window. Huddersfield had signed a player and had him playing in the fa cup within 3 days of the window opening.

    How do these teams seem to get the players in quickly but others don't even seem to start the negotiations until the window opens?
     
  10. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    Whatever happened to Nnnn ? Is he dead ?
     
  11. Norwayhornet

    Norwayhornet Squad Player

    Starting to get used to the idea we arent selling and we arent buying in this window which leads me to conclude we are in a relegation dogfight at least until majority of our players injured get back to fitness.




    Now I have written this watch a signing happen ;) using the inverse physchology thing.
     
  12. Ray Knight

    Ray Knight First Year Pro

    I can only conclude that our new recruitment team are not of the same calibre who made those great signings in the summer. Very impressed by Huddersfield's recruitment barring in mind they basically had little or no EPL or higher league quality players on promotion.
     
  13. Goal hanger

    Goal hanger Beyond Belief

    The old medical team are now the new recruitment team. Don't expect anything to happen fast, or at all.
     
  14. hornetboy1

    hornetboy1 First Team Captain

    No transfers!!......it's been another quiet news day today.
     
  15. Meh!

    Meh! Pre-Dictator

    So transfer deadline day falls on a day we are playing.

    That's helpful.
     
  16. Meh!

    Meh! Pre-Dictator

    DEFENDERS!!!!!
     
    Happy bunny likes this.
  17. Meh!

    Meh! Pre-Dictator

    I have read 2 reports this morning on delefeu and Dodi both saying they have issues with defending...
     
  18. domthehornet

    domthehornet Moderator Staff Member

    They will fit in well then.
     
  19. Carpster

    Carpster Squad Player

    Along with our defenders.
     
  20. hornetboy1

    hornetboy1 First Team Captain

    Burnsy and Heidar like this.
  21. Jossy

    Jossy Reservist

    I get the impression that Gino and co are convinced there's enough quality in the squad to keep themselves in the premier league - based on the return of the injured players and how the team performed with most of them fit during the early part of the season.

    The few additions we've added appear to be - as far as the board are concerned - just enough to see us through until those players referred to above, return.

    I can't, don't and won't believe that they think our left back situation is okay. I'm certain they'll rectify it - but during pre-season. The club (Duxbury if I recall) have stated in the past that January is a poor time to get value for money. The obvious problem with this is that we may not be a premier league team by then.

    As others have pointed out - major squad surgery/overhaul in the January window will cost the club double what it would in the summer. We know Gino likes to be a bit tight (in comparison with other clubs, not compared to previous Watford owners) with his wallet. On this basis, I'd say it was always extremely unlikely we were going to break our club record transfer this month, unless we received a huge amount in a player sale.

    It would appear (to me anyway) they're gambling on the fitness of the injured players, the skills/care of the new medical team, and the ability of the new coach to snatch draws from defeats and wins from draws. Very, very risky - but when all is said and done, he'll (Gino) lose the most if we go down.

    Our assessment of our January business will most likely hinge on tonight. If we win, it'll be "yes, we've turned a corner, he looked great, he was better, much more organised, the signings have galvanised us, we'll be okay". But a meek, timid defeat and it'll be "we're definitely going down, he's crap, can't believe we're still playing him, he should have been replaced, why didn't we buy that player, typical pinny pinching from the club in bringing in dross etc etc". I shall be as fickle as everybody else.

    I just hope that Stoke are even worse than us, as I think that's our best chance of a result:eek:.
     
    hornetboy1 likes this.
  22. Burnsy

    Burnsy First Team

    Totally agree. Seems they have more confidence in the defence than any of the fans.

    Ideal scenario was to improve defence and buy a striker.
    But one or the other would do. New defenders meant we would probably get by with the strikers we have or even with one less - although not ideal. Add a new striker and we can probably let the defence lie for another few months - even less ideal. But both scenarios I think we’d have accepted.

    As it is, we have bought three midfielders. Which has addressed an issue with the squad, but it’s one of the issues that could have waited. We haven’t addressed the urgent issues, likely for financial issues. Time will tell if that huge gamble pays off.
     
  23. The Voice of Reason

    The Voice of Reason First Team Captain

    Unless something dramatic happens before the window shuts, my footnote will probably be changed by this time tomorrow :mad:

    VVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

    VVVVVVVV

    VVVV

    V
     
  24. hornetboy1

    hornetboy1 First Team Captain

  25. Malteser

    Malteser Squad Player

    All very weird.

    We’ve kind of indicated we could do without either a Deeney or Okaka by letting them talk to other clubs...then decided to get through the rest of the season with the pair plus Gray..grand total of 6 outfield goals between them in the league.

    They’ve not addressed the defence, one of the very worst in the league.

    They’ve signed a defensive midfielder who can’t play for the next two matches as he’s suspended.

    But without him for the next week, and with Chalobah and Hughes still out, they’ve let go on loan the player who was our captain only last match.

    In a squad crying out for experienced heads, the only player we’ve actually bought this window is fairly young and inexperienced and new to this country and league.

    Long-term target Slimani goes on loan to a relegation rival.

    Putting a lot of faith in our injured stars returning soon, our two rivals for left-back suddenly finding form and Deulofeu setting up lots of chances for our out of form strike force in the hope they’ll manage to convert a few.

    Hmmm.
     
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2018
    Jumbolina and simpleMASH like this.
  26. hornetboy1

    hornetboy1 First Team Captain

    All valid points, but now we've got Deulofeu, at least we'll be creating a lot more chances. Our shots off target ratio should increase dramatically......always a silver lining. :D
     
    Malteser likes this.
  27. Malteser

    Malteser Squad Player


    For the 50 or so minutes he lasts every match!
     
  28. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    It seems he's taken the decision to roll the dice and cross his fingers. A big spend wouldn't have guaranteed we stay up and may have caused future issues. We'll have the parachute money to push to come back.
    Bottom line is their prime business is selling players profitably. They can do that In the championship. Getting into the prem brings massive revenues but a massive bill to try to stay there. They aren't prepared to risk bankrupting themselves by overspending in a bid to stay up.
     
  29. The Voice of Reason

    The Voice of Reason First Team Captain

    Madness :confused:
     
  30. simpleMASH

    simpleMASH Reservist

    I’m sorry if this has been discussed on another thread and feel free to correct me anyone, but with the arrivals this window I now make it 18 overseas first team players, meaning one will not make the squad.

    My money’s on Wague. We have too many CBs, he’s one of the injured ones and seems bottom of the pecking order.
     
  31. nornironhorn

    nornironhorn Administrator Staff Member

    Have you included Lukebakio? He is under 21 so won't need to be included
     
  32. simpleMASH

    simpleMASH Reservist

    No I didn’t.
    We had 24 for the first half of the season (Amrabt and Zarate each briefly being the 25th) and now Deulofeu and Ndong as well.
     
  33. hornmeister

    hornmeister Tired

    Are we in for a Burnley player that will only be allowed to leave if they get a replacement in?
    Alternatively is it a favour to SD?
     
  34. reids

    reids First Team

    I watched Lyon vs Villarreal last month and really liked him as well - so much that he basically was half the article I wrote (https://www.esdfanalysis.com/match-analysis/lyon-vs-villarreal/). Think he'll be out the price-range of Burnley though!
     

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