2021-22 Squad

Discussion in 'Former Players Archive' started by hornetboy1, Mar 21, 2021.

  1. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    We can remove some of the squad and transfer a few out to accommodate newcomers. A fifty million pound budget well spent will be offset to an extent by a few sales and contract terminations. The aim has to be to stay up even if it is seventeenth as the tiers outside of the PL will be experiencing a chill economic climate for the next couple of seasons.
     
  2. Dorset-Orn

    Dorset-Orn First Year Pro

    Hey.! I'm LW - I've got my stuey scullion shorts in a box somewhere.... I'm sure the missus can let the waistband out...
     
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  3. Dorset-Orn

    Dorset-Orn First Year Pro

    The new recruitment guy seems to have his head screwed on so that's one positive for summer recruitment.
    If we don't go up this season we've got a squad that even with a few outgoings will be well set to to from the start next season.
    If we do go up GP has got his work cut out.! One big thing this year has shown is that we need to look harder at the "sum of our parts" before over criticising individual players? Dawson was considered poor but at WH he's great. Our defence is deemed good but is that because they now have a solid 3 protecting better.? Chabs looked past it but in a midfield 3 he's great, and on it goes...
    If we go up I can see Sarr staying a year as he won't be a starter in Top 6 team and might want to wait. As mentioned we won't be splashing out 18m on any player for quite some time so recruitment will need to be clever. I see the French clubs are in big trouble after their TV deal collapsed.... Could be the time to raid the larder.
     
  4. a19tgg

    a19tgg First Team

    It’s all about balance. A defender/defence will look poor if placed under undue pressure because we don’t have the right players elsewhere on the pitch.
     
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  5. Otter

    Otter Gambling industry insider

    Last season we conceded the same number as goals as in 17/18 and 4 fewer than in 16/17. Take out the fact that 12 of the goals were conceded to the one team we seem to be $hit scared of, you see that last season we were never otherwise thrashed by anyone. We were not scoring enough goals and the midfield couldn't retain possession. Deeney was slowing, Gray was not performing and we had no one else.
     
  6. a19tgg

    a19tgg First Team

    Yep, and it was our lowest scoring season out of the five. 36 goals so less than a goal a game. Mistakes in defence will always be magnified when you can’t score more than 1 per game. Equally your defence will be under unnecessary pressure if that’s the threat you carry at the other end. I hate to bang on about him but Deeney is a defenders dream. Defenders are scared of pace, they’re scared of players getting in behind and being drawn into a foot race or a last ditch tackle. Deeney thinks he’s having a good game by having a physical battle with the centre backs, but he’s just playing into their hands, they’ll mop that up all day long. No wonder the whole team struggled with him as the focal point of our attack.
     
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  7. Jumbolina

    Jumbolina First Team

    Prodl, Britos and Ake were pretty inspired. And Holebas. The forwards less so!
     
  8. Since63

    Since63 Squad Player

    Prodl, Britos, Ake on loan, along with Capoue & Behrami made it a very good window, as events proved.
     
  9. a19tgg

    a19tgg First Team

    Yes, I didn’t meant to do them a disservice as they were all great additions, I just meant most of the players Pozzo brought in the summer window were cheap or free.
     
  10. Rookery Refugee

    Rookery Refugee Reservist

    If Premiership:

    Forwards Out:
    Gray
    Deeney
    Perica - should be out on loan or sold, but could be kept as a squad player
    Success - should be out on loan, but could be kept as a squad player

    Forwards In:
    Cucho
    Somebody else #1

    Wingers out:
    Hungbo - loan

    Wingers in:
    Somebody else #2

    Midfielders Out:
    Gosling - been fine, but not Premiership standard
    Sanchez - See Gosling

    Midfielders in
    Somebody else #3. Confident on the ball, decent pace, top tier passer.
    TDB or Quina - pick one

    Defenders Out
    Navarro
    Lazaar
    Cathcart or Kabasele - pick one

    Defenders in
    Somebody else #4. Right Back. Need pace, on ball defending and passing ability.
    Somebody else #5. Left Back. Need pace, on ball defending and passing ability.
    Somebody else #6. Centre back. Need pace, ability in the air and passing ability.

    Somebody else number 7. Random attacking player of some sort. Would love a striker, but the cash won't be there. So someone else somewhere who's dangerous at something.
     
  11. Dorset-Orn

    Dorset-Orn First Year Pro

    Good info.... Just makes you realise why our recruitment went southwards after the decent acquisitions made back then.? I think GP wanted to ramp up to another level and gambles like Gray backfired.
    I think we're back to those early days again now so this summer window could be very interesting....
     
  12. Dorset-Orn

    Dorset-Orn First Year Pro

    Yeah, I think he's a "Zaha on steroids" and if we had taken a punt on him last summer we would be topping this league by now.....
     
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  13. leighton buzzard horn

    leighton buzzard horn Squad Player

    IF we go up then Masina, Lazaar, Ekong, Kiko, Cathcart, Deeney, Gray, Navarro, Perica, Success and probably a few more need to be moved on. A major squad rebuild would be required.
     
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  14. Otter

    Otter Gambling industry insider

    I reckon Masina, Ekong and Kiko would be considered more than adequate backup players, the others I agree with.
     
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  15. LeedsOrn

    LeedsOrn Reservist

    I can’t see us signing a new RB with Kiko and Ngakia both decent and having fairly complementary skill sets. Think a GK would probably be more of a priority. Otherwise I agree with your post on both ins and outs.

    Not sure we’ll need that extra attacker, especially if ‘forward #1’ is good enough. That way we’ll have: forward #1, Pedro and Cucho as our ST options, Pedro, Cucho and Sema as our LW options and Sarr and Zinckernagel as our RW options. Solid enough (provided forward#1 is good enough).

    Important that our CB is brought in to complement Sierralta nicely. So someone pacey, with good recovery instincts (allowing FS to compete for the ball higher up the pitch), good on the ball and ideally left-footed.
     
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  16. Rookery Refugee

    Rookery Refugee Reservist

    I'm always worried about injuries, especially at forward, hence the additional attacker. Femenia and N'Gakia are fine at the Championship level, but I don't know that either is Premiership standard. N'Gakia may grow into it, btu I don't now that he's there yet. I know Navarro isn't up to it, so even if we took "another N'Gakia" in the hopes that one would come good, I'd feel a lot better.
     
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  17. Carpster

    Carpster Squad Player

    If the reports of 8m are true for Kristoffer Ajer he would be someone we should be seriously looking at. Absolutely wasted in Scotland even though his standards have dropped thise season. Got over 200 games under his belt at 22. Regular international and would give us two rocks in the centre alongside FS.
     
    folkestone orn likes this.
  18. Dorset-Orn

    Dorset-Orn First Year Pro

    I think Ngakia is one to watch. I really like him, he carries the ball out a bit like Kiko and works the ball well down the line. Haven't seen enough of him really but maybe it's his basic defending that ne needs to improve when pushed back deep.?
     
  19. Supertommymooney

    Supertommymooney Squad Player

    That's why we're allowing Norwich to go up again, surely that's their role?
     
  20. Carpster

    Carpster Squad Player

    Watched the last three Norwegian international games which Melling has played, he's got plenty of pace and stamina down the left and was involved going forward alot. Final ball let him down but defensively got caught out too much.

    Thorsby played the entire game yesterday against Montenegro and looked very good in the middle, broke up play and anticipated the play well, put in some very strong challenges too. Not the best passer but showed his capabilities very well.

    Ajer stood out in defence for them who I mentioned on another thread he was faultless, strong, fast and took the ball out of defence with ease. £8m for him would be an absolute snip imo. 6-6, 22 yrs old with over 200 games under his belt. Him and FS would be a very strong CB partnership.

    Have to give credit to Sorloth too he has outshone Haaland in those three games. Scored twice and has been a real pain to the opposition defence. It's not really working for him at Red Bull Leipzig and should be getting moved on this Summer. Worth a look if he's a reasonable price.
     
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  21. foxywfc

    foxywfc Reservist

    I’ve suggested this fella as have others. I spoke to a Celtic supporter who reckons he will be better than VVD,


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  22. cyaninternetdog

    cyaninternetdog Forum Hippie

    I think we will be ok with around 3 or 4 added players with Prem or top league experience. I hope Xisco stays and that we try to play the same attacking football we are now or as close as we can anyway.
     
  23. foxywfc

    foxywfc Reservist

    Would be great to see that, however I think Gino will get rid of Xisco and bring in someone like QSF and try to secure premier league status like last time we went up.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  24. Rookery Refugee

    Rookery Refugee Reservist

    I think the reason he's brought in people like QSF was to help attract talent. I don't know that that is as relevant as before. I think that Xisco has some reputation for himself as a player and has done well enough, not just in terms of results, but also in terms of creating and environment that players want to be a part of that he could easily stay. That said, I think, unfortunately, that recruiting will still come down to 1) Available Cash 2) Agent relationships/Fees 3) Finding gems/taking fliers on lesser known talent.
     
  25. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Ajer was linked to a few clubs in the PL the other year. Would be marvellous if we could snap him up. Melling does need some work and he should be at the stage where he is cutting out his positional errors which you may expect from a younger fullback but we can coach that and I do like the look of him and Nimes would be in no position to haggle cruel as it that may seem.
     
  26. foxywfc

    foxywfc Reservist

    Not so sure. QSF was or is a defensive coach. Not the most exciting but he done what was needed first time round. Ok he got lucky with Troy and iggy hitting form. Yes I agree he might of attracted better quality. As for xisco I’ve been behind him said before it looks like he’s bringing that vibe Silva had with the squad. Apart from Xisco’s 1st match you could argue he’s lost the big games which is a little concern. I’d love for him to have a chance. You’re most likely right with the transfer business hopefully they have an eye on some ighalo’s and Del Boys instead of jurado’s and Gray’s


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  27. Moosegasm

    Moosegasm Reservist

    Your assessment if we get promoted is spot on. As usual its blindingly obvious what we need: A 1st choice centre back, A powerful central midfielder and 1 (or ideally 2) goalscoring strikers. As usual the question is: will Gino actually deliver on this?
    Personally I'd keep Cathcart cos 1. He can still do a job when required 2. He's a loyal servant in his 8th season at the club 3. He's well integrated into the squad and a good person/positive influence 4. In the PL it's a good idea to have plenty of backup centre backs. I'd also point out Cucho may be a good player but he isnt a goal scorer. As a newly promoted side we certainly couldnt turn our noses up at Del Boy but persinally I prefer JP Hungbo Sema or Zinc on the left. We need warriors not mentality midgets.

    The really great thing about your suggestions, which I agree with, is that we should keep the current 1st team players. Like in 1982 we already have most of the players and group mentality (minus Troy) we need. This is my favorite Watford team since the 80s. We are tantalisingly close to an incredible return to the prem. But still got it all to do. The next 6, 8, 10 or 11 games will define our season.....
     
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2021
  28. Moosegasm

    Moosegasm Reservist

    My guess is the main purpose of the deal was to make our accounts look better. Probably around £10m.
     
  29. Moosegasm

    Moosegasm Reservist

    Incredible to think we stayed up with Jurado Suarez and Amrabat and went down with Doucoure Capoue and Sarr!! It just shows how important mentality and leadership are in team sports.
     
  30. a19tgg

    a19tgg First Team

    QSF was bought in as a safe pair of hands, nothing more. We didn’t exactly attract any superstars, just a load of cheap squad fillers who would’ve gladly come to the premier league regardless of the manager. Capoue was our record buy of that summer at just over £5m. He’d been managing in the Middle East for a few years, then spent 1 month at Getafe and had been out of work for nearly a year when he joined us. The only ability he would’ve given us to attract better players was the ability to keep us in the league in the first place.
     
  31. WillisWasTheWorst

    WillisWasTheWorst Its making less grammar mistake's thats important

    I think you might be getting overexcited. The current team has played very well in the last ten games, but to rate it as your favourite Watford team since the 80s is bizarre. I could name several that I prefer to this one and if you really like it more than the '99 team then you have no soul.
     
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  32. Carpster

    Carpster Squad Player

    He would no doubt be an excellent addition and sure plenty of clubs will be looking. To me it's a no brainer if you can get him at around the 8+m mark.
    I can't see him being better than VVD though in all honesty.
     
  33. The Voice of Reason

    The Voice of Reason First Team Captain

    Ashley Young confirms he will be returning to WFC next season!!!
     
  34. The Whoosh Magnet

    The Whoosh Magnet Academy Graduate

    5 year contract?
     
  35. davisp2

    davisp2 Reservist

    Is this a competition to come up with an April Fools joke, that absolutely no one fools for?
     
    hornetfan likes this.

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