Tbf we did keep a clean sheet when Mariappa started the first two games and only one at Southampton/ Newcastle which weren't down to him personally . So can see why Java kept him in the team .. I'd be more inclined to bring in Jaamatt for Kiko if there is a change at the back .
You can pick out the numbers nazis at the next home match - they're the ones with 55 embroideted on the collars of their uniforms
Maps was surely only ever signed as a squad player, 5th choice and because he's a good leader to have around the dressing room. I'm delighted that he's weighed in with some important performances over his time here and for me, he's a bit of a WFC legend, due to coming through our academy and having 2 spells in our first team. However, he's not someone we should be relying on as a first choice centre back if we're aiming for top 10 in the Premier League. It's great he can be relied upon to step in when called upon and will always give 100%, but we really shouldn't be playing him as 1st choice. As for Kabs, I think people are editing history somewhat. He's been out the team for a while, but was dropped for a good reason. His concentration and error making was becoming worse and worse in the run up to his suspension, which was a welcome break IMO. I do think he should have come back into the team and I believe that in the longer term too. he has the potential to develop into a better player, whereas Mapps is on the wane. What is indisputable is that it's a damning reflection on the likes of Britos and Prodl, that they are so poor that they cannot even force themselves into contention in our pretty poor defence. All Cathcart has to do is be consistently mediocre and he's indispensable. We shouldn't even be having this conversation, to be honest. The fact that we failed to upgrade our central defenders over the past 3 or 4 windows and instead offered contract extensions to players who are proven to be sub standard was a terrible strategy.
I agree with every word. The only thing I will add, in defence of the owner, is that we cannot afford to buy a team all at once. It takes a long time. They will not spend over the odds on anyone (apart from Gray), even if it means the team is unbalanced in certain areas, and we have to rely on a few Championship players to get us through the season. We have a Championship central defence and a Championship strike force. These players are decent to make up a squad but we're relying on them as first team players for too many games. If we are to progress, then clearly that will have to change. Midfield and wide players are excellent. Wing backs are ok and the keeper is good enough right now.
Gino has done well for us but not overly impressed with his supermarket sweep type approach for transfers. Seems to go for numbers rather than quality. Maybe partly due to not being able to bring in his main target. Most clubs have just one main striker.... We seem to have a collection who are not much cop. Better to have a couple of decent ones?
I appreciate the point. We cannot go out and just throw 75m on VVD, however, we've been in the Premier League for 4 seasons now. That's ample opportunity to have signed some better centre halves. Even the full backs we've signed have been on the cheap, though they are seemingly not quite as desperately poor as the attackers. There are 20 teams in our division and I can't see Mariappa being a starter for any of the rest of them. If you agree with that, then it's just us who have faced this issue with signing defenders and I don't think it's bad fortune, I think it's general disinterest. They aren't seen as a commodity to Pozzo so they don't invest in them and that area of the team is left to chance, with a bunch of freebies and £3m has beens competing for places and making errors.
You wonder if Ben Wilmot will start making appearances sooner or later. He's looked composed and capable in the cup games played and chose us as the best pathway for first team football. I don't understand us making him a midfielder; England has a habit of trying to turn every half decent centre back into a defensive midfielder.
Exactly this. Newcastle found Lascelles from Forest. Brighton found Duffy from Blackburn. There’s players out there, but we seem obsessed with finding the next big thing for 3 years down the line or the exact opposite and finding someone who’s legs are about to go but is cheap and not up to standard. There is no one that can’t convince me that Wilmot won’t now make a more logical selection at CB than Mariappa. Watford will likely never have another young player making headlines whilst in the PL because we wait far too long to give them their chance.
