Yeah, it finished 0-4. Two penalties conceded (one saved) after what was an even first-half apparently, Hungbo hitting the post early. Bristol City now have three wins from three games, WFC one win, two losses and a draw.
My written & spoken English isn't great but bloody hell. This, from the review of the U23 game today, stuck in my throat (as I read it, a single finger underlining each word while silently mouthing them to myself like a six year old)...
meridensi may soon be doing the match reports at this rate. Were you at the game TR ? How did Louie Watson do ? He was highly regarded by the Hammers at one point. Seems a bit of a link of us taking players from there. So far Quina hit and miss and not properly developed. Ngakia looks the real deal. Watson ?????
Sadly I wasn't there so no first-hand impressions on him for me - the general public still not allowed in, at least I was told that a couple of weeks ago. He looks decent in the clips I've searched out, but then unless an ex is being vengeful there aren't going to be too many YouTube lowlight compilations! I like what I see though and can only presume WHU letting him go had something to do with his long injury layoff. I've asked a few WHU sites and journalists about him but have had nothing back so far. I asked Levanthal too but on one question about another player he admitted to having no clue(!) while my Watson query was reworded back to me as an answer. One reason I'd like him to join is to push Lo-Everton. As far as I can see, L-E is the only player of his type in the U18/23 age groups. Forster is similar but probably suited more to a wide position whereas Watson & L-E both look to drop deep to dictate play as well as being able to play along the line behind a main striker. Fingers crossed he impresses and we can sign him up.
A 3-2 win for the U18s away at Cardiff today. 0-1 & 1-2 down, a Lawal penalty and a winner from Damani Hunter in the 84th minute meant Watford secured their first win of the season. Enoch Muwonge had scored Watford's first goal. Team line up: Marriott (16), Abbott (15), Galvez (15), Lawal (C, 17), Burchell (17), Janjeva (17), Muwonge (16), Conteh (17), Hunter (16), Lo-Everton (18), Forde (16). : Hall (16), Davis (?), Blake (?), Moriarty (16), Adeyemo (?).
Oh, that IS tempting! If it doesn't take up too much of your time or take away from whatever else you're doing, would it be possible to post them somewhere?
Dropbox perhaps. I would not mind having the odd look at them as well. Seeing Lo-Evertona and Janjeva and how they are developing.
Derek Agyakwa has joined Como on a season loan and has extended his contract with Watford for a further 2 years.
* * P L A Y E R * * P O A C H E D * * A L E R T * * Romari Forde has jumped the fence and signed for Arsenal. https://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/2020/10/07/arsenal-sign-u15-winger-romari-forde-from-watford/
This sort of thing should not be allowed to happen without substantial compensation for the club who have nurtured these players from a young age. As someone said on another thread, some sort of SUBSTANTIAL cash payment from the first and second sell on of such players should be made payable to the original club that he was virtually stolen from.
You get a 15% sell on clause included I think. I know we got some money when Sancho moved to Dortmund.
I've managed to watch a couple of the U23 games this season now (vs. Millwall and Charlton), and it's been heavy going. It's very noticeable there are square pegs playing in round holes brought about through a lack of players and a change of formation. There are also a number of last season's U18s involved, as well as some who still qualify for that age range, and you can see it's a big step up for them in terms of quality, such as there is, and physicality. The team are also struggling to get to grips with playing the new system and the midfield is not comfortable with what they're doing. A back three has been started in both games I've watched, two deep lying midfielders with two midfielders further forward behind and either side of the single striker. Despite playing two wide players, this system is slightly different to the 1st XI insomuch as they aren't wing-backs. They're playing almost like pushed-on wingers with the two defensive midfielders filling in the defensive spaces as and when needed. In the game against Charlton, Omar Riza is constantly coaching everyone bar the three defenders for the first thirty minutes or so as positionally it's a bit of a mess. It looks like the players are concentrating so much on positional play any natural ability is being sucked out of them. As I say, it's heavy going watching and it doesn't look any easier playing at the moment. Saying all of that, they drew 2-2 and won 3-2 so they're doing some things right! It'll be interesting to see how quickly they get to grips with the system and if the younger players are persisted with in this age group. I'll be surprised if no more 19/20-yr olds are brought in during the next month or so so the likes of Conteh & Burchell drop down to their natural age group and some of Phillips, Hungbo, Wise, Crichlow, Barrett & Spencer-Adams get loans away from the club. I also wonder how much they've trained as a group so far this season with plenty of them filling in with the first team squad due to that group being so small while being assessed by Ivic at the same time.
Sonny Blu Lo-Everton started for Scotland U19s against England at St. George's Park this afternoon in what was a friendly game. Sadly, with England 3-1 up at half-time, the match was abandoned with the players waiting to come onto the pitch for the 2nd-half. Players were told a Covid test result of one of the backroom staff, who remains unnamed so far, was revealed during the first 45 minutes and showed to be positive.
What a farce, surely to God they'd manage to get the results of the Covid test before they set foot out on the pitch? At least that way only one team would have to isolate, could be an England player with the virus yet Lo-Everton will probably have to sit it out for two weeks
Looks like Lo-Everton will be out of action for the next 14-days. It turned out to be Scottish Head Coach Billy Stark who tested positive today despite producing a negative result on Sunday. Full explanation from the Scottish FA below. https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/billy-stark-tests-positive-for-covid-19/?rid=13929
George Abbott, a young defender at the academy, has been called up for the England U16 squad to play Scotland on October 31st. Abbott has previously represented Wales at both U15 & U16 level. Watford broke the news on Instagram (which I don't have) but I was alerted to it by the excellent @LoanWatford. He gives news on as many of the players out on loan & international duty as is humanly possible and is well worth a follow.
Can we hide him until he signs professional forms ? Those scumbags may be watching with binoculars from the other side of London Colney.
Omar Riza now confirmed as Head Coach of the U23s. Some interesting background from both past & present in this piece from the official site today, not least his current role with the England U17s. https://www.watfordfc.com/news/academy-riza-delighted-to-be-confirmed-as-u23-coach
Part of Gino's cunning talent tapping up plan. Come to Watford and we'll make you into a star in no time after a series of loans to the back of beyond. So that is him and Aidy involved at a national level. Not bad for our little club.
A ******* 3-3 draw against Andorra! Actually watched that game (well, the second half once I heard it was interesting), as much as I am English and hence love to see us do well, it's fair to say I don't get too wound up by games like so was quite happy for Andorra tbf. Gareth Southgate at least on occasions has blagged being a suitable manager for the national team, God knows how Aidy ever got a job in the England set-up
The starting 11 had nearly 300 PL appearance between them, that team should be dominating everything going.
A brief Derek Agyakwa interview at his current loan club Como. It's in English with the interviewer translating back into Italian for Como's supporters. https://comotv.com/watch?v=vd02663085
Louie Watson has joined Derby County. There is no indication we offered him a deal at the moment, just that he's signed for their U23 squad.
The U18s lost 1-3 against Hull City this morning. No details whatsoever other than the score. The U23s are away to Nottingham Forest on Monday.
Once again Watford are short of players at U18 level. https://www.watfordfc.com/match-report/under-18-watford-1-3-hull-city There has to be an influx of players for the U23s soon. Already 16 & 17 year olds have been starting games and with five players now out on loan (six if Roberts stays at Wingate & Finchley) even younger sides will be starting games here on in. I think playing week after week against teams far stronger physically will put too much of a strain on their still developing bodies and will eventually lead to unnecessary injuries. This of course means more spaces in the side to fill from the age groups below. The same applies to the young academy players stepping up to the U18s. It's fine dipping in and out of the side but to carry on over any length of time will be detrimental to their development at some point, and there are already eight 16-yr olds out of nineteen who make up the squad at this age level. Now the focus on 1st XI transfers is all but over, bar out of contract players, hopefully a few young players will be signed soon.
Almost seems to be playing for the sake of it atm. Maybe we are trying to save money by not getting younger players in? We had loads last season coming in.
What a lovely place to live and learn your trade. I'm not sure I'd be able to sport a cardigan though!
