Sky are claiming we've paid £40m for this transfer, which I doubt very much. I think it's £28m rising to £32m if we stay up. However, I do not have an issue with promoting that figure Sky are reporting. Spending £40m on one player puts us at a different level in the minds of people. That will filter through to pundits, media, agents, players, fans etc that Watford are now a solid mid-table Premier League club with serious ambition. It's a good place to be when advertising who you are in order to attract the next level of player. This summer we've convince Danny Welbeck and Danny Rose to sign for us. Ok, Rose didn't sign, but he would have had the fee been agreed, which is the important part. We are slowly, but surely now creeping up the table as a club in stature. You can even see that reflected in people's predictions. Virtually every predicted table I've seen has us 10th to 12th. Mentally, the penny has finally dropped.
I agree with what you say about the show of intent this window ended up being. But re: Rose, I'm not convinced he did us any more than the courtesy of making a short trip to have a chat and wait while the clubs did their thing. This article even quotes Sky as saying Rose 'flatly refused' the transfer having held talks: https://www.teamtalk.com/news/20m-tottenham-star-refuses-to-make-move-to-premier-league-rivals He may take a different view in January if his England squad place for next summer is in jeopardy, but I guess he'll have time to line better options than us up in the meantime.
I read this, but take it with a pinch of salt. Sky reported that Spurs refused our offer. I heard that live on their show. I didn't hear them report that he flatly refused. The very fact Rose was there, at the training ground, tells my intuition that he was prepared to sign for us, although I accept maybe he didn't like the contract we offered him, but that usually gets reported as the reason. Who knows the ins and outs of what really happened, apart from the people involved of course.
Great bit of Gino/Rennes chairman helping mess up Everton and Palarse. Stall our already agreed transfer until its too late for them to agree Zaha and his replacement. Excellent bit of work IMHO.
Really hope this guy is as good as many on here seem to think he is and his transfer fee would suggest. We were really lacking pace up front last year with only Del Boy being quick, two flyers should see most teams defensive line being 10-20 yards further back than it was last season, hopefully creating a bit more room for Doucs and Caps. Quite excited to see what he can do, suspect if he is we won't keep him for long but I'm sure that's part of the plan.
Although not so helpful when Gino starts his next negotiation. What did the buffoon who runs Utd say? 'Everyone knows we have to pay a premium when we buy because we're Man U.' Gino needs to get his PR people bigging up his skinflint Mr Burns image sharpish. Pack lunchs at Colney & first team Ubering on Sundays.
Was just thinking it will be funny watching Troy keep up in the middle ! Maybe Danny ? Troy could just set off 30 seconds earlier ?
It was also very noticeable that people in the game were saying what a great player Wellbeck is AND that Watford was a good choice for him. Just 12 months ago the 'experts/****spurts' were predicting relegation.
There’s ‘politely declined’, there’s ‘refused’ and then there’s ‘flatly refused’. Not sure we want players who passive aggressively ‘flatly refused’ to play for our friendly family club.
I'm normal - I am indeed normal - stop saying that I'm not normal. I said stop saying that I'm not normal. Please say that I'm normal. Relegation is normal. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah.
https://www.watfordfc.com/teams/first-team/deeney-its-huge-statement Troy’s been on the alcopops again... “He’s a natural winger and that’s great for a player like me who thrives on crosses...” “I can't wait and it motivates me to still want to be around and go again. All the hard work and the weight loss is for this.” He really does live in dreamland. I wonder if Vincent Kompany has recovered from the run around he promised him in the Cup Final?
Yeah, not criticising Troy, but I’ve never felt he was that good at getting on the end of crosses. He’s definitely got some very good strengths to his game, but I always think he seems a little static and slow off the mark from crosses.
Yep! Barely watched any highlight videos. Watched one this morning and he looks absolutely immense. Most impressive thing is that he doesn't just run with his head down, he seems pick the right pass most of the time and can put a great ball in. Only 21!! If he's anything like I think he's gonna be, then I doubt we'll have him for long.
To be honest, we don't really have many players who get a good ball in on a regular basis. Now that we do with Sarr, Deeney will hopefully be expecting the cross more.