Rate our Transfer Window - Summer 18

Discussion in 'The Transfer List' started by nornironhorn, Aug 10, 2018.

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Rate our Transfer Window - Summer 18

  1. 5 stars

    3.5%
  2. 4 stars

    5.9%
  3. 3 stars

    51.8%
  4. 2 stars

    31.8%
  5. 1 star

    7.1%
  1. nornironhorn

    nornironhorn Administrator Staff Member

    I did a similar thread in January so now the dust has settled from yesterday I thought it would be interesting to do the same again.

    January 18 results:
    5 stars - 7 votes
    4 stars - 5 votes
    3 stars - 64 votes
    2 stars - 38 votes
    1 star - 12 votes
     
  2. Clive_ofthe_Kremlin

    Clive_ofthe_Kremlin Squad Player

    I'm straight down the middle. 3 out of 5. Steady as she goes. Decent and astute, but not spectacular.

    Interesting to see the pessimism from last Jan too. An average vote of 2.6 out of 5.
     
  3. nornironhorn

    nornironhorn Administrator Staff Member

    In January I voted for two stars but I am actually going to go one higher this time... I'm going to vote 3 stars but in reality it would be closer to 2.5 stars!

    Strikers:

    IN: None
    OUT: Sinclair, Jakubiak

    Poor decision not to bring in reinforcements up front as it is one of our weakest positions. Thankfully Deeney and Gray seem to be doing a little better in preseason so hopefully they can improve on last year. Can't see Okaka making any impact this season. Peneranda also seems a mystery, I don't understand why we didn't give him any minutes in preseason... surely he could have played in a friendly without a work permit (which has been the case for other clubs).

    Wingers:

    IN: Sema, Deulofeu
    OUT: Amrabat, Carrillo (loan ended), Lukebakio, Richarlison

    We did well to receive decent money for Amrabat who won't be missed. Sema is a complete unknown but did show glimpses of quality in preseason so hopefully he can have a big impact. Deulofeu is an excellent signing though and hopefully is back soon from injury. Richarlison will be a miss but the fee was too good to turn down (not that we reinvested it anyway...). Lukebakio looks to be another awful signing but still has time on his side at least. Success back too so hopefully he can impress.

    Midfielders:

    IN: Quina
    OUT: Ndong (loan ended)

    I'm actually very pleased with the Quina signing. Mixed reports from West Ham fans but there must be a reason he is so highly rated and I think he could actually have an impact this season. Very cheap too at £1m, much better than spending £6m on someone like Oulare.

    Full backs:

    IN: Masina, Navarro
    OUT: None

    Masina looks a very good signing on paper but worrying that it looks like Gracia might start the season with Holebas. In truth, I'm disappointed Holebas is even a back up option for this season. Hopefully we will get rid of the useless Zeegelar too. Navarro also looks a solid option and can supposedly play CB too which is a bonus.

    Centre Backs:

    IN: Wilmot
    OUT: Hoban

    I'm as disappointed that we didn't lose any of our awful CBs than I am that we didn't sign any senior CBs. Hoban doesn't really count, he won't play for us again I'd imagine. We still have Britos, Kaboul, Prodl and Mariappa, 4 sub standard CBs. Wilmot at least looks promising but we will be in big trouble if Cathcart or Kabasele gets injured. Can't believe we didn't sign a CB. The fact Kaboul doesn't even get mentioned in the injury reports speaks volumes too.

    Goalkeeper:

    IN: Foster
    OUT: Bachmann

    This is a position we did well in, Foster is a great signing for us. I don't actually think we should be keeping Dahlberg as a third choice keeper though so it will be interesting to see who Gracia has on the bench tomorrow. If its Gomes, in my opinion Dahlberg should have been loaned out again and Bachmann kept as third choice (although I do understand that Dahlberg doesn't take up a squad place).
     
    dynamo380 and PowerJugs like this.
  4. Chumlax

    Chumlax Squad Player

    Went for 2, because we brought in a left back who hopefully proves to have enough to displace the current liabilities, and Deulofeu is still here, even if he's not available for the start of the season...

    But apart from that, utterly failed to strengthen in the two most important areas that we have been crying out for solutions in for a year, building on a similar failure in the last transfer window. It's even more of a gamble how the season will go as a result.

    On top of that, people have said we've brought in a goalkeeper, and it's nice to have Foster back here from a sentimental perspective, but whether or not he is actually an upgrade remains to be seen.

    For me, probably the most disappointing window since the Pozzos have been around, contextually.
     
  5. NorwegianOrn

    NorwegianOrn Academy Graduate

    1 star for now. When Pozzo's depart i'll change my vote to 5 stars.
     
  6. Heidar

    Heidar Squad Player

    The window isn't over yet. If we sell Pereyra or loan out Success/Penaranda etc then it'll be a complete shambles.

    However, offload Zeegelaar, Djedje and Oulare (and anyone else we can't register) then it's looking better.

    So far it's a 2/5. Delighted to have Foster back home.
     
  7. Otter

    Otter Gambling industry insider

    In all honesty the need for a centre back was more important than a striker.
     
  8. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    2 for me.
    Del boy (who was effectively won in january) and Foster as the only pluses.
    Lots of cheap hopeful punts that might come off but too early to say if any impact this season
    Missed chance to improve the CF and CH positions esp given the Richie windfall. I think we are in danger of happily taking the windfalls from sales at inflated prices £30m-£50m but refuse on principle to pay the £25m-£15m needed to replace them. I fear Pereyra may be next to leave if we receive an offer "too good to refuse" from Torino.
     
    dynamo380 likes this.
  9. Stuey

    Stuey Reservist

    I've gone for a 3. Personally I don't see CB was a priority as both Wilmot and Navarro can play there.

    If we'd bought in a quality striker it would have been a productive window.
     
  10. Knight GT

    Knight GT Predictor extraordinaire 2013/14

    I went for 3 as I think the business we did do was decent and early which I feel makes a difference. There was clearly something in the Paco deal and did feel we maybe could have pushed this through but obvioulsly don't know what's been discussed. The centre back issue for wasn't quite so much of an issue
    Strikers
    IN: None
    OUT: Sinclair, Jakubiak
    None in but do have Peneranda and Success returning who could play up top although probably classed as wingers. Deeney seems to have his head back in the right place and is looking fitter than he has for the last 2 years so hopeful of a better season. Slight surprise we didn't bring somebody else in as Okaka does seem a waste of time

    Wingers
    IN: Sema, Deulofeu
    OUT: Amrabat, Carrillo (loan ended), Lukebakio, Richarlison
    Good signings, one we know about and if he can get more consistency then he will be a terrific signing. Know nothing about Sema but is thought of quite highly in Sweden and many thought he should have gone to the world cup. Promising debut against Sampdoria apparently
    Getting money for Amrabat is good business but I always quite liked him. Carillo was a waste of time and Richarlison was an amount of money that quite rightly we coudn't turn down. Lukebakio nobody knows enough about but don't write him off yet but a loan was the right thing to do

    Midfield
    IN: Quina
    OUT: Ndong (loan ended)
    Know nothing about Quina but seems well thought of by many even if West Ham fans don't but would be interested in how many have seen him more than once or twice. Had a decent World Cup (U19) and at 18 is worth a punt
    Ndong, bought in as cover in case injuries got worse but as they didn't never played so certainly won't be missed
    Get players fit and it's our strongest area and getting Doucoure to sign a new contract was probably our best piece of business

    Full backs:

    IN: Masina, Navarro
    OUT: None
    Left back was a must and he looks decent although not sure why we have Navarro unless Janmaat or Kiko are off. OK business but would be upset to lose Kiko

    Centre Backs:

    IN: Wilmot
    OUT: Hoban
    Hoban is just not going to play here again and wouldn't be surprised if he was released at the end of the season. Wilmot seems to have impressed people in his time but will he be good enough to play in the EPL?
    Is there such a thing as Kaboul? Cathcart, Kabesele and Prodl will be the main 3 and hopefully won't have to use the others too often. Prodl was is being completely written off only a year after winning player of the season which is strange. Last season for him, like many others was affected by an injury that lasted much longer than it should have so I hope being fully fit will help him

    Goalkeeper:

    IN: Foster
    OUT: Bachmann
    Excellent business getting Foster in but would have allowed Dahlberg to go on loan, maybe in the Championship and have Bachmann as third choice but maybe Gomes is leaving or maybe Dahlberg will be number 2. We shall see
     
    dynamo380 likes this.
  11. Oscar calling

    Oscar calling Squad Player

    Don't really see the point in Gomes being the number 2 seeing as this is his last year. Dahlberg isn't going to develop as a number 3.
     
  12. Guy

    Guy Squad Player

    I would have gone for 2.5 stars if was an option
    Striker options a worry if get injury or suspension to Gray or Deeney. Not being able to ship out Okaka disappointing.

    No central mid coming in also worrying with no minutes in pre season for any of our first choices, no return date for Chalobah and long way back for Cleverly.

    Think Pozzo's have been complacent this time with no obvious basket cases to go down and newcomers Wolves and Fulham have strengthened significantly.
     
  13. Moose

    Moose First Team Captain

    4 for me. We got Deleofeu who, for me, is a fantastic acquisition for the club, we got several good prospects in Wilmot, Navarro, Quinoa and Masina, we got a legend to return and start the season with three good keepers and we got Sema who is going to be great for us. We didn't lose Doucoure or Deeney.

    I would have liked an experienced centre back just to stop the moaning and some midfield cover, so not a five.

    More than any of this it's been hilarious and excellent entertainment.
     
  14. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    Of the 26 votes cast you're the only one above a "3" so far ! I can't disagree with too much that you've said though I'm far less confident that Sema will make the grade.
     
  15. wfcmoog

    wfcmoog Tinpot

    Zero. We've become weaker.
     
  16. Knight GT

    Knight GT Predictor extraordinaire 2013/14

    How?
     
  17. Vicarage Road

    Vicarage Road Reservist

    Foster’s best years are behind him & Del is a better player to have on loan. However, our midfield looks top dollar with Livermore, Arter & Ward Prowse coming in. Rumour has it, we’re signing Drinkwater today on a free permanent five year loan for an undisclosed fee
     
  18. UEA_Hornet

    UEA_Hornet First Team Captain

    I've heard Gino is on Wonga now just tying up the finances for the deal.
     
  19. The uninformed

    The uninformed Academy Graduate

    I voted 3 but only time will tell.

    My view: If the best we can get when we splash the cash is an £18m Andre Gray then I would rather invest in unproven potential such as Wilmot, Quina and Sema and give them a chance of playing.

    We can't clog up the pathway to the first 11 with average, expensive signings who we then have to play to justify the expense. Pathway to the first team is why players like Richarlison join us instead of bigger clubs.

    This time next year we could well be looking back on breakout seasons for Wilmot, Quina and Sema (not to mention the other new signings as well as Success and Penaranda).

    Of course we could alternatively be looking back on a season that backfired and got us relegated in which case it won't be quite so good!!
     
    BusheyOrn likes this.
  20. Ray Knight

    Ray Knight First Year Pro

    Amrabat will be missed by Paul Merson. He claims the Bat was our best player last season and for that reason he 'worries for us' and predicts relegation. What an absolute numpty of the first order.
     
  21. Jumbolina

    Jumbolina First Team

    I’ve no idea why everyone seems confident Sema is going to be great. I imagine few people have seen him in more than 2/3 competitive games if that. He’s a cheap punt from a weak league, nothing more. Hopefully he can make a contribution.

    But frankly Sema is irrelevant.

    Transfer window rating is 1. Same as the previous window. We had absolutely ages to identify a suitable central defender upgrade or two. It doesn’t cost the earth to upgrade our budget low grade options like Prodl, Britos and Marriapa . Giraldi hasn’t got a clue. These clowns will cost us points time and again as soon as Kabs and Cathcart get their usual injuries.
     
    wfcmoog likes this.
  22. fuzzy73

    fuzzy73 Squad Player

    I was going to vote 3 on the hope factor there may be a modicum of truth in the Talisca deal, but then I remembered it was either on Twitter,or on a website that said we'd be buying another Barcelona striker. Must be complete ******** then
     
  23. Pluses
    Fixed left back
    Kept Doucoure
    Signed Deulofeu
    Added a couple of prospects
    Didn’t waste money on cheap carp this year

    Minuses
    Didn’t fix striker issue
    Didn’t fix centre back

    3 stars
     
    Ray Knight and PowerJugs like this.
  24. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    So you think Masina will start ahead of Holebas tomorrow ?
     
  25. NathWFC

    NathWFC First Team

    I've voted 2 stars. A couple of good signings, a couple of unknowns and a couple of youngsters for the future, but a complete failure to address two of our three main problem areas (the other being left back) has left us looking very weak in key areas.

    Deulofeu - Excellent signing. Bags of pace and skill and will be a real game changer when on form. Won't be 100% consistent or fit, but a very good, stand out signing.
    Foster - Very good goalkeeper and a signing I'm pleased with, but I'm not 100% sure how necessary him coming here actually was. Gomes staying as first choice with Dahlberg breathing down his neck probably would have been fine.
    Masina - Sounds like he could be a good, but really none of us have any real idea. Find it concerning that Holebas started the final first team friendly ahead of him.
    Navarro - On the face of it seems a completely pointless signing when we already have Janmaat, Femenia, even Dja Djedje still on the books, as well as Mariappa and Cathcart as absolute last resort. Saw nothing in the friendlies that changed my mind.
    Sema - Complete unknown. Could prove to be a very astute signing, could be absolutely useless.
    Wilmot - Nothing more than another youngster at this point and will likely end up out on loan in the Championship or League One once the squad is in a better state of fitness.
    Quina - As above.
     
  26. fuzzy73

    fuzzy73 Squad Player

    Holebas got the joint highest amount of assists for us last season with 4. That was a bigger problem for me than no strikers
     
  27. NathWFC

    NathWFC First Team

    No one got any assists because Deeney was a static lump that made very few runs and Gray repeatedly spooned good chances.
     
  28. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    Well Gracia may well not think much of our 2 new full backs if Holebas and Jamaat ae going to be starting.
     
  29. Rookery Refugee

    Rookery Refugee Reservist


    I have moderate hopes for Sema. He's got decent size and pace, works hard and isn't intimidated. Players from weak leagues almost always do have a bit of a settling in period. The pace is higher in the EPL, the tactical schemes are more sophisticated and the defending players are smarter/better coached. In the preseason we saw Gracia coaching the hell out of Sema. The kid has a lot to learn, so it will take a while. Hopefully we'll see by boxing day that he's made the jump. One way por another, everyone comes from a weak league at some point.
     
  30. The uninformed

    The uninformed Academy Graduate

    I think it more likely he will be our 1st choice LB over the course of the season than Holebas. Tomorrow (one game) less relevant
     
  31. BusheyOrn

    BusheyOrn Reservist

    I saw last season that Gracia was loyal to the team and I think the incoming players will have to win that position. What that does is provide proper competition for places and therefore pushes up the standard of play from the one in possession of the place; it ensures players and back-ups are fully motivated and stay that way. I fully expect Massina to win the left back spot over the season but I will be surprised if he starts tomorrow; further, it is better to bring players, not used to the speed of the EPL, in on a gradual basis and let them get used to it.

    The new right back however is confusing and with Kiko not getting much game time I hope he isn't on the way out.
     
  32. Not necessarily tomorrow, any new player needs time to adjust to intensity of the English game. Masina was one of the best lbs in serie A and I have no doubt he will be first choice within half a dozen games
     
    Ray Knight and UEA_Hornet like this.
  33. The Voice of Reason

    The Voice of Reason First Team Captain

    No
     
  34. Hornpete

    Hornpete Squad Player

    I've voted 5, we made a profit and improved the team. Great stuff Gino.
     
  35. cfdr0ftaW

    cfdr0ftaW Academy Graduate

    3 out of 5 for me. We're stronger at the end of the window than we were at the beginning, the business we have done has been very good on the face of it.

    Like many I would have liked to have seen more quality brought in down the spine of the team, but I'm also excited to see Watford go into a new season with some stability for the first time in the Pozzo era.

    Gracia has had a whole pre-season with most of the squad, including the majority of new signings, and I don't think the benefits of this should be underestimated. Let's hope it's reflected in the performance tomorrow and beyond.
     

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