What I will add to my comment above is that we also have to remember - Leventhal is always going to write a piece about our January business. It’s hardly good for the club to say ‘we are desperate’. Doesn’t motivate those already at the club and also will drive fees/wages up if and when we negotiate with clubs/players. A sensible approach/comment from the club and subsequently Leventhal should be just that the club are focussed on the busy schedule ahead and will remain tight-lipped regarding transfer business.
Apart from Man City away we haven’t been thrashed and looked like a relegated team, obviously the Southampton and Burnley results were poor, however January signings rarely work, the players we have are good enough to win games it’s a question of being properly managed, motivated and loved and I believe Pearson is capable of doing just that!
If we stay up, it’ll be in spite of our defence, not because of it. I don’t doubt Pearson will continue to have us defending better. But no fan should allow that to cloud their judgment that we suddenly have no need to upgrade seriously at the back. I agree January is a tough time to do it - but the club should be all out for a quality CB and perhaps a LB if possible - although Femenia and Masina may suffice there until the summer, in which case a RB might be a better idea.
Anyone who thinks we are going to throw cash around in the window is going to be disappointed. I wouldn’t be surprised if we look to the loan market, and bring in a couple of loans and give Pedro a chance. I am not fussed if Doucoure leaves as he has been average at best, although we will need to bring in a replacement as Cleverly is permanently injured and Chalobah looks average, but may improve if he is given a run of games.
Ighalo on loan, Drinkwater on loan and someone cheap from Belgium or France that can play LB/RB. Heard it here first.
I don’t think anyone thinks we will be splashing the cash at all. But one or two considered defensive signings really isn’t beyond asking for. As for letting Doucoure go, I can’t agree. Pearson is the type of manager to get the best from him. And look at how we played against United - constant pressure on the ball and get numbers back when not in possession. He will be vital in that kind of style and we have no one capable of replacing him. He’s been desperately off form - but let’s not discard why we know...just how good he can be when the conditions at the club suit him. I think Pearson will bring that.
Seems the rumours around Rodriguez coming in at LB are quite strong. But if we were in the market for a RB as well this month, I’ve just read Nathaniel Clyde has been made available by Liverpool. Would be a good signing.
Could be a bit of a risk though given his age and recent injury record, could quite easily become Janmaat mkII. I'd also want to see another couple of games of Femenia at right back to determine whether he's capable of keeping up his recent performances or should still be replaced.
You can never have too many. Yes he would be a great signing but probably too expensive given other priorities and relegation still a big risk.
Couldn’t of put it better. His energy in midfield was sorely missed against Sheffield United. Great performance against Villa. Got an excellent shot off for our first goal. Luiz was left in his wake with his direct movement. Pearson has seen he has the energy to be back and forth all game. He was nearly matching Sarr for the third goal as they both motored forward. An excellent performance by him all round. He just needs a goal and he will be back.
I still believe we need one centre back and a left back minimum. Filip Benkovic we were linked with before. Leicester are maybe looking to loan him out. Was excellent for Rodgers at Celtic but has Morgan in front of him. Rodriguez is a class act. So would be an amazing signing. Success and Gray are just not good enough. If we can move them on and add a real threat to Deeney I'd be happy. Maybe Pedro is the one we will just have to wait and see.
Might be a bit tricky in our current situation, but one to keep an eye on anyway perhaps for the summer were we to stay up, but Roman Yaremchuk of KAA Gent (who we "signed" Sven Kums from). 24 year-old Ukrainian international, joint-second top scorer in the Jupiler Pro League with 10 goals in 21 games. Operates mainly as a striker, but is also very adept as an attacking wide player or even a goalscoring advanced centre-mid/number 10, so could be a useful rotation option with a number of our players. He's strong in the air, decent finisher, and also has the pace to cover the pitch quickly. He somehow reminds me a bit of Anderson Talisca in profile (whatever happened to him? Sigh). He's also scored 2 goals in Euro 2020 qualifying for Ukraine, one against Serbia and another versus Portugal. In addition he has 7 goals in 11 Europa League games. He hits the bar with the header, and scores the first 2 goals in this video:
During this transfer window, IF Burnley asked Gino to swap Andre Gray for Matěj Vydra ( no money involved just a straight swap ) do you think Gino should snap their hands off or tell them to do one?
Celtics Ajer can play cb or rb. Spoke to a Celtic supporter at a coaching event in the summer and he reckons this guy will be better than van **** Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Would be a pointless interaction. We all see Vydra through rose tinted glasses, but he has never really proved himself at Premier League level. Gray would have been brilliant for us at Championship level, and I know I'm going to get a lot of stick for this, but I really don't think we would be better off with Vydra over Gray.
I would. I dont care what Division it was in, Vydra is one of the best finishers I have ever seen. And probably one of the most under-achieved, for whatever reasons. Put them together, and you have a good chance of it working in the right circumstances.
This. Still feel Vydra just didn't join the right teams. West Brom and Burnley never would suit his play
Totally agree. When I first saw him he reminded me of Shearer. Could score from anywhere and seemed to have a natural instinct to get into the "right place and the right time". Why he hasn't fulfiled that promise is a mystery. The Pozzo's seem to like an underperformer that can be "turned around" so maybe this isn't totally impossible.
Vydra's first v Leicester in the play offs didnt get the coverage it deserved because of 'The Goal' by Deeney, but it was one of the greatest ever scored at Vicarage Road or anywhere. I'd be delighted if he came back and even happier to see the ar5e end of Grey
Pointless. To get the best out of either they need to play in a partnership. But in all honesty Vydra is class, a great finisher and has pace. Gray doesn't even come close. But I'll join in. Straight swap 100%. He should never of been sold in the first place.
I mentioned this last week. To make it easier they could just do a straight no money loan swap until end of the season, both clubs pay their respective player wages & both clubs review in the summer if it's worked out or not as the case may be. It could just be the new start both players need.
Not directly Watford related but Genoa have officially signed former midfielder Valon Behrami as a free agent
I'm making a huge leap here.... With Dortmund signing Haaland, Alcacer is worried about restricted game time. https://twitter.com/FootyAccums/status/1212744417485971459
Young talented forward, scoring goals on a Champions league club at the top of his league would move to a skint club in a relegation fight exactly why?
Cancel the loan to Dortmund and bring him home. Eligible for all home cup games and 3pm KO league games.
