True, and I think Nath is being too critical with this selection, but it still takes time and effort to sign these players. I'd rather the club focused on doing deals for players that don't just cover their own costs in loans then head off somewhere random without ever scoring for the club.
I agree. Șome say he had started 52 games in the joint Brazil/English seasons. Tiredness Could have been a factor. It was exciting to go and watch him last season to begin with. This season it is already all about struggle and survival. Our luck haș to run out at some point as it did with Stoke and West Brom.
Why should you give **** about it? Because the balance sheet is irrevocably linked to us being a successful team on the pitch. The two complement each other and neither works in isolation. By any objective measure I can think of the transfer policy is massively successful in terms of balance sheet and punching above our weight by staying in the premiership against the odds. We have players on the pitch who are part of that successful policy. Sure you can focus on Oulare et al but they can’t be considered in isolation. What your describing is the kind of transfer model that we take the pi55 out of teams like Everton and Bournemouth for having. I personally think we are at a massive advantage against comparable clubs because we have a transfer policy based on a sound economic model that works. I’d rather our club model than the rich disconnected benefactor who sees us a plaything. I’m sorry you’re bored but be careful what you wish for.
You mention Bournemouth. A club of a similar size who are doing it better than us. I'd be interested to see how our net spends and wages compare.
Bournemouth are doing better than us, but only marginally. Though, it's not the fairest of comparisons. Bournemouth got lucky because they happened to stumbled upon a manager and squad of players that were able to carry them through multiple divisions and do well. There are many question marks over how Bournemouth will do once Howe leaves. Similarly, clubs like Brighton, Burnley, and Huddersfield have only really achieved success under one manager/coach. Watford have stayed in the league despite a variety of coaches and styles, so the system seems to be working to some extent without reliance on any one coach. With the likes of Fulham and Wolves financially doping their way to the PL I expect to see teams like Watford relegated in the next 5 years though.
We will see. That is my selection and l will place money again this season. JG to be out before Christmas as well. I am more than to lose my stake money, but 14 out of 18 correct bets last season, l will take my chances.
Good season for Huddersfield then ? I think about 4th/5th bottom which the bookies are predicting feels about right as things stand.
I’d be interested too. I don’t recall them having many big sales whereas they seem to have been splashing the cash in a similar vein if not more. I think a key difference is that all these bitty players that we have on loan throughout Europe are investing in our future. We only need 1 in 20 to come really good and it will pay for itself either in terms of future contribution to our team or revenue. As JW points out they are doing marginally better. We can definitely go down but so can Bournemouth and a host of other teams. I think that if Bournemouth go down they could be absolutely screwed as a club if their owner gets bored. Sure the same could happen with us but if we are an economically viable profit generating business they are more likely to stay and we have the added benefit of having invested in infrastructure which can provide some legacy. I prefer our club operating policy (model) to Bournemouth any day.
New comments from Gracia in the Wobby today about the Richie money. The Wobby seem to agree that CB and Striker are the areas which still need to be looked at, stating: "With question marks still remaining over Watford’s strikers as well as the potential need to reinforce at centre-back"... Gracia would still like to use the dosh to add to the squad, saying " “It is not my money. If you ask me if I would like to invest, for sure, but this question is for the owner not me.”". http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sp...sion-lies-with-hornets-hierarchy/?ref=mr&lp=1 So fingers-crossed Gino has the cheque-book poised.
Mate of mine spoke to someone he knows who works at the club today who supposedly told him that we are "waiting for Okaka to go before we conclude a near £20m deal for a new forward, to make sure we fully comply with FFP". Sounds like b*llocks to me, but he swears by it.
Seeing as no one else is even trying to comply with it I doubt our cowboys would suddenly start playing by the rules.
"Gino's Win Your Wish List" on Channel 5 right now. Gotta give the guy credit for coming up with new ways to clear the deadwood. Top prize is Obbi Oulare.
Gino knows what he's doing. If he signed a fat, puffy player who plays 50 minutes per season over 20 appearances, it's because he knows that they are in demand for loans to Turkish clubs and will make us a profit. Get used to it.
Time is running out. Should we just have a whip round on the forum? We can take it turn to own him. He might be good at gardening or something useful like that ?
Don't agree with your main premise. We have done way more business than the other clubs you mention. Massina and Sema for example haven't cost us much but look good signings. We have upgraded GK position and both full backs have cover. Palace have done naff all and could still lose Zaha. Muff have hardly strengthened and Burnley have done no business. I expect Newcastle will buy when (if) funds are released. Wolves and Fulham have/ are doing some impressive work getting quality in. Only Cardiff are banking on lower league signings so should be a favourite to go down. I expect we will get at least a CB and a major loan with a view to buy striker.
Re C5, I watched Blind Date for the first time in over 20 years tonight. It was as excellent as I remember. Paul O’Grady wore a very smart suit & was more Cilla than Cilla. The second panel comprised 3 drag queens, including a policeman.
Depends on who Gino has in the crosswires. If it’s Mbappe, we’ll need every penny we can squeeze from Okaka.
Based on recent rumours it seems we are looking for a CB, a striker and possibly a Richarlison replacement too. No need to panic yet. Sent from my G3311 using Tapatalk
I agree. The profit from Richarlison, even if it's only say £15m once everything else is accounted for, sees us well clear of the PL's limits. But I guess the club's own cost controls might mean Gino is reluctant to increase the wage bill beyond a certain level without shifting some higher earners first. I doubt Richarlison was on much compared to others.
it's not the players we have bought that's the issue, more that we can't get enough of them fit at any one time to put out a consistently decent 18 Everyone fit, plus the striker and CB that we all know we need and we have a decent side. As for the multitude of fringe players that come and go, much of this is to offset FFP rules. Buy cheap and loan out for a small fee keeps the balance sheet happy. The loan out policy is one that Chelsea and Barcelona have both used for years to offset FFP, maybe just not with Oulare, Sinclaire and Zeeglar though
Hmmm. Beginning to think that extending the contracts of Some of our worst, oldest players was a mistake. Easy with hindsight.
