I know you didn't, I didn't either - but he was a far, far greater player than Deeney ever was, and more to the point, unlike Deeney, he would have far more to offer us at this point. He played just under 2,400 minutes over the course of 29 league appearances for Bayern Munich last season, with 18 of those for a full 90 and several more only a few less. Obviously, he would never even think of coming to us, but that's half the point; the idea that Watford would even stop to question signing one of Bayern's starting centre backs from last season (if it was an option, which it obviously isn't) because he isn't as good as he was five years ago seems quite funny.
I guess the PTSD of watching Dawson had removed that from my mind. Yes overall Gino has done an amazing job of putting together bargain basement premier league defences. Our current 8 defenders and 3 keepers cost around £15m in total. The mistake was thinking Dawson for £4m was the answer. The squad was crying out for a quality centre back and the Dawson signing really bit Gino on the A. Continuing the bargain basement policy with Dawson was a huge mistake which thankfully we have now bounced back from.
I disagree, the 2 points I was making were that Gino's done really well bringing in cheap defenders but he needs to make sure the quality is there too. I was saying that 'bargain basement Dawson' was a mistake when we needed more quality. Buying cheap defenders has allowed us to spend money on other areas of the squad but the failure to bring in a quality centre back was one of the main reasons we got relegated.
We haven't signed a definite Prem quality CB since that first season back in the Prem 6 years ago (I think we will be able to add Sierralta to the list, but he actually has to play in the Prem for us to say that!)
Yeah, it's not a comment on you, just that you could read it as 'Gino having bounced back from making stupid decisions about signing, or not signing, defensive reinforcements', and then Hairyfrog's jovial response is to that idea.
Ortiz it is then. Cross everything you have. And by a miracle is Larsen still available. If we can we ought to be pursuing Valentin Barco the young left back at Boca. Mightily impressive for his age.
However Dawson managed to help West Ham into the European places last season. I think their fans would rate him higher than we do.
One very tenuous claimed-ITK account on Twitter, sadly - if I recall correctly they claim to be the son of a former agent...
Would love Rodon. The standout player everytime I watched him for Swansea. Hopefully Spurs pickup more CB'S leaving him available. Him and FS would be a big strong unit in the middle.
If we're definitely after a CB Nikola Maksimovic is somehow still without a club. He's desperate to go back to Napoli but his contract finished there this Summer and maybe the new coach doesn't fancy him. A very good solid CB standing 6-4 he's no slouch and can play RB if needed. He would be superb alongside FS. The best thing is that he's FREE.