Again, seems to be being ignored - how are those that don’t like Gray ‘because he’s racist’ justifying this one in their minds?
Purely a signing to get the fans onboard. He frustrated the **** out of me usually and wasn't bothered when he left. But if he's fit and is an upgrade on what we have then why not. Wednesday fans loved him at the start but their love declined rapidly when they saw his heart wasn't in it anymore.
If he's there for squad depth then this is fine. He'd need to accept he's not being brought in as a starter and would have to work his way into the team. 46 games is a slog, he knows the league and if he could make a contribution in about half those games then great.
Was Gray racist? I know his homophobia was online for all to see and very unambiguous. As for Fessi, he was found not guilty of saying the remarks he was accused of wasn’t he? If he did say something racist then obviously that’s unacceptable but I don’t know how clear cut that is.
The best of Fessi: Celebrating with us fans. That headed goal. Wing play trickery getting us on our feet. The run and cross to Hogg - Deeneeeey Schoolboyish playing with his food making faces from egg and bacon (couldn’t find the pic). Wearing Watford shin pads playing for another club Him genuinely loving Watford. The worst of Forestieri: Moaning when the ball not passed to him. Falling over with ridiculous histrionics and getting Sako sent off at Wolves (I was with Wolves fans as a guest of a mate, it happened in front of us and I was lucky to get out alive). Would love to have him back for nostalgia but the old order has moved on and (especially if Deeney has gone) I can see frustration on both sides if he’s lost his wizardry..
I am surprised by this one. That said it is a fairly low risk punt if we offer him a short term deal. He clearly has had a lot of injuries and you wonder whether at 30 he can get back to the same level as before
Six match ban for racism? Upheld on appeal. And yes. Gray has been accused of racism by some on here.
On a free... wages won't be huge... knows the league... 1 in 3 gpg in the championship... bit of a no brainer really isn't it?
More lazy recruitment from the football club. Pointless area of expenditure if this is the best they can do. Fine if they want to allow him to get fit but more that........... recipe for disaster.
If he hasn't lost his pace in the past couple of years, I agree. An unpredictable player, potentially a game changer, with excellent technique. Would he sign as a bit-part player though? Also wouldn't give him a contract for more than 2 years
If you think footballers are the epitome of a moral high ground, I think you need to go to watch a different sport. I wouldn't get caught up in these things, they're all ****s
That’s not what I think at all. I just think it’s interesting how some accusing Gray of racism will stay quiet on a move for a player who’s actually been found guilty of it. One would also wonder how those who support BLM so heavily within the squad might feel about it.
If it wasn’t for him we would have been relegated earlier than we were. Our best CB last season, granted that’s not saying a lot.
Assume I am one of those, if not solely, who this is aimed at, #42 was my response. It seems to have been amended as part of the 'clean up' up by the mods so I won't repeat it but I am sure you could fill in the gaps. To be clear, my dislike of Gray is not solely due his previous tweets, which I believe were published in a national newspaper and referred to his feelings towards 'lighties', hence my use of the term. I have previously listed several other items, some of which are not even in his control which just make me wish we could part ways with him. I don't have a personal hatred of the man, never met him and for all I know he may be a lovely bloke but it's just not happening for us or him at Watford. Recent events also lead me to think he doesn't take his responsibilities to the club very seriously either which is disappointing and frustrating.
Okay, so what are your thoughts on us signing Forestieri? Surely you can’t back it given one of your reasons for disliking Gray is because he’s ‘racist’? Genuine question.
I'm not going to get too into the latter point as I've been annihilated for it already on here...but I think most of that stuff is attention seeking and they won't give a toss about him joining.
I am little more torn on this, as above the tweets are just something to add to list for me with Gray, I'm sure I would forget his past if his performances warranted it (they did with Chamberlain and Spring for example), but they haven't. Didn't follow the Forestieri thing that closely but he was banned by the FA so assuming he did it even if it wasn't strong enough to be prosecuted for. So I wouldn't be overly pleased about that and think there would need to be some serious thought given to how that would be received in the dressing room and some fans. The other thing that used to disappoint me with him was his constant diving and especially the Wolves incident. Probably the world today but I don't like to see that in the team I support. There is however a small part of me that wants him back for the entertainment he provided, got people up from their seats first time around and it would be good if he could do that again. On balance I don't think we should re-sign him for footballing reasons so I haven't gone into any moral dilemmas too greatly, I'll worry about that if it happens. And you?
Of all the Pozzo era signings, Forestieri has arguably been the most fun. Quite good but not brilliant, a wind up merchant, cocky as anything and clearly loved his time at the club. There are probably better signings we could make but given the dross we’ve watched since the cup final it’s time for some fun again. Bring him home.
I just don't see the point - the last couple of seasons at Sheffield Weds he's been injured more often than not.
I think everyone deserves a chance to atone for mistakes - obviously outside of serious crime. But life/career mistakes happen, even more so for impressionable young men with lots of money. Which is why I’ve never got caught up too much in criticising Gray, and I can see the good stuff he’s done in a Watford shirt. I also think he will be an asset in this league. He’s been punished for his mistakes outside of football and has shown a willingness to learn and help other away from such situations. That doesn’t excuse the party however which was ridiculous in the extreme - but the club and squad appear to have moved on so I don’t see the point in fans continuing the issue. I just think given where we are, Gray deserves a bit of a break and a clean slate - if he messes up, so be it. But I think fans would do well to see if that happens. If he bangs in 20 goals, which he’s done before at this level, then I suspect those with hatred for the man will try and pretend they don’t somehow. Best to just let it go now really unless you have a real moral issue with him - in which case they should have one with Deeney, Forestieri etc. You can’t be selective about it is my thoughts. I would afford Forestieri the same respect for his mistakes. But if I park my love for what he was once was at the club, I think it’s a very strange signing. And had he not been with us before, everyone would be extremely underwhelmed and worried about the signals it sends about the make-up of a potential squad. Like QSF, I think Forestieri is a happy memory best left like that.
If it was just a case of he lost his mojo at Weds, then his goal scoring record is good enough for us to give him a two year contract, if he doesn’t work out he can be sent off to Udinese, (where he came from)!
Hard to disagree with this. As much as those happy memories of Fessi are, he simply isn't the required standard nor age for us currently, it would be a bizarre signing if we did decide to offer him a contract.
I agree......although he is at the training ground, so it is being looked at at least. I get the excitement because of his past achievements, but this is another indicator of a downgrade signing.
In and of itself, it doesn't mean anything, but it depends on the context, was Gray being offensive to 'lighties'?
