Time for the annual grading of the transfer window. Personally I’m going a C Outs: A+ Dennis King Sissoko Cucho Samir Fletcher (loan) Penaranda Pussetto (loan) Masina Zinckernagel Kiko Baah (loan) N’Koulou Gray kucka Elliott Dahlberg Quina (loan) Rose Foster Cukur Etebo Mebude Phillips The clear out of 24 players. Great. Lots of deadwood gone, players that don’t want to be here and millions saved in wages. Ins:F Davis Hause Choudhury Solid signings and all make us better. Okoye Bayo Manaj Gaspar Poor signings (so far). Bayat’s pocket fillers and offer us nothing as of now. Spent £5mil on a player who may or may not come good. Needed a RWB all summer. Not happened. Very poor Needed a ball playing CB all summer. Not happened. Very poor Need a goal scoring midfielder. Not happened. Poor Need a poacher upfront. Not happened. Poor. Positives: Keeping Pedro, Sarr and Kamara is massive.
Does Hause count as a ball playing defender? Have to see I guess . Relying a bit on injured /loan players to come goof ? Also you just know one of Sarr and Pedro will get injured now. A bit of the unknown and short in some areas . C - work to done and relying on certain players whilst lacking depth. But still can potentially field a very strong competitive team if all stay fit .
A massive load out admittedly. RWB agree, CB agree unless Hause can. But the poor bloke is still surrounded by hopeless partners. Scoring midfielder is down to JP and Asprilla I'm very happy with those two atm. Davis, Sarr, JP and Asprilla should all notch decent amounts. If one of JP or Sarr went I'd agree with a poacher. But Edwards still didn't get what he wanted I'd expect and still has too many NHG players in the squad, something he repeated that he didn't want. I'd say a C currently
Very irritating that we didn't manage/didn't bother to get a RWB, despite having all window to get it sorted. Despite that, I think many would have expected to lose 2/3 or even 3/3 out of Sarr/Dennis/JP. To keep 2 of them is excellent news, and gives us a good chance to win every game, even when we don't play well. Recruitment-wise looks a mix bag so far. Choudhury, Hause and Davis are all the right type of signings and I think will prove to be effective for a promotion campaign. Gaspar, Manaj and Bayo less so, but I think will still have a role to play. We've also excelled in something we previously struggled with, in moving on almost all of the dead wood. Overall... 6.5/10.
I confess I didn't realise so many had left. What happened to the Roy Moore teaser of yesterday? I'd say Βέτα, especially as we kept Freddie and JP.
I think our squad is overall in a better state than most of us actually anticipated, myself included. I don't think many on here would have expected us to keep both JP and Sarr, so that's a bit of a coup. Hause looked impressive when he came on, and he, Choudhury and Davis should be three of the best signings in the division. Another RCB and attacking midfielder would have been good, but aren't necessarily essential. As has been said already by many, not bringing in another RWB so far is the main grievance. We have players who can do a job there in Gaspar, Ngakia and possibly Kalu, but none are ideal. We seem to be relying on Gaspar improving his fitness somehow or Ngakia learning to cross and be more dynamic in his attacking. Still, if this means we end up switching to a 433, with a back 4 of Kamara, Hause, Sierralta, Gaspar, I won't complain at all. Maybe a 352/343 has potential, but I remain unconvinced by it. I've been getting Ivic vibes from the start of our season so far, and a lot of our improvement that season came when we eventually ditched the negative 3 at the back and went 433. Though also a timely reminder that we still got promoted that season with Ivic not even having a single actual LB (let alone at least having a left-back but one who couldn't last 90 minutes). So far the general quality of the division has slightly surprised me - it seems a bit stronger and more competitive than the last time we were down. More clubs seem to be making astute signings, and perhaps the fans having returned has also brought something back. There seem to be few regular whipping boys, and a bunch of teams with one or two players who can hurt anyone if you catch them on the wrong day. Having said that, even with our few weak points this is still a squad which should definitely make playoffs, and I see no reason why we couldn't sneak in to the automatics if Edwards gets us clicking a bit more. As others have commented, there doesn't seem to be an obvious Fulham/runaway winner of the division this season. I also don't think there'll be any other clubs in the division who'll be completely satisfied with every player they have in their starting XI. Even with our gaps, our squad is at least as good as any other in this league.
Retaining João and Sarr is obviously great news but in terms of incomings... it's not looking good. I don't think Edwards has been backed, nor has he had a great say in any transfers. We're missing one side of the most important part of this formation. It's all very "see how it goes and hope for the best". There's no squad depth and in a week we've lost Manaj, Sema and possibly Cathcart to injury. Cleverley is permanently injured, while Kabasele is a time bomb. Davis, Hause and Louza have not had a pre-season. That said... we have the two best players in the division by a distance and it may be enough. In Asprilla we also have that enigma we've been lacking (Forestieri, Deulofeu type). Louza is the calm, classy midfielder we need. Come on you Orns.
For all Giaretta’s rumination on the ‘rule of 11’ we finish the window with 14 non-HG players in the first-team squad.
Pretty much agree with that. Yes we need to find that formation that benefits the players and skill sets they have. The defence you put looks the most viable option and probably the most solid. It's a fingers crossed that Rob finds and keeps the better players fit and confident.
Think that's pretty much perfect, no? It always seemed a strange aim to limit ourselves to the minimum, especially with our injury record.
Our number of non-HG players isn't a problem given we could still afford to have Okoye in the bench in our last game. Plus not forgetting JP becoming HG in Jan.
I think in an ideal world you have 11 but all 26/27 players available to you (inc. U21s) are good enough. Then HG status never factors in to team selection. We don’t live in an ideal world of course and it’s likely there will always be injury issues that mean it’s not a big deal. But with 14 there is a possibility that certain players will not make a squad purely because they’re non-HG, rather than because Edwards prefers a different option.
As you say, 3 good looking signings plus retaining JP and Sarr, plus a couple of punts. The only issue is if he really wants to play 3-5-2. I think someone posted that he wasn’t wedded to a formation and said be used 3-5-3 at FGR as made best use of the resources. Presume he used that formation in pre season as he expected to lose Sarr.
Even with Sarr available Edwards has shoehorned him into a 343/352 though. It's undeniable that 3 at the back is what he wants to play.
I agree the league seems stronger this season, but surely that can be put down to covid? We had the benefit of parachute payments and £50m+ of player sales whilst every other non relegated championship club was left with just the £5m from the sky TV money and nothing else, therefore losing around 80%+ of their revenue and losing any ability to sign any player of note. This is where covid actually helped us if anything because in a normal year we may not have got away with either Ivic or Munoz in the way we did back then.
True but maybe he shoe-horned him into the 3-5-2 to get the team used to playing that way assuming Sarr would leave and be replaced. Will be interesting to see how Edwards plays now given the players we have. For me 3-5-2 and 3-4-3 doesn't really work without a RWB and ball-playing CD. Much prefer 4 at the back if we are going to play Sarr/Davis/Pedro.
I hadnt comprehended at all how many players we got rid of. Of the incomings I think we do have to give them all time. There will be duds, thats inevitable.
I don't agree that RE has been misled or let down, and I think he backs himself to produce a decent team. I've no doubt he was told... We want you, we want to rebuild the squad but it will take time, we don't have much money right now to throw about, but we'll do our best to back you best we can this season, and let you weave your magic best you can... And I think RE was OK with that....
I agree, he has probably quadrupled his salary (at least) acquired fantastic training facilities and knows whatever happens he has a decent set of players to be successful.
There's no way Edwards can have been misled or seriously let down given we've held on to both Sarr and JP. Although it could have been further improved, we've definitely left him with a squad which is capable of getting promotion, and where he can have zero excuses if he doesn't at minimum make the playoffs with it.
Hypothetical (or maybe not) question: would RE willingly swap a 'flying RWB' for keeping both JP & Sarr? That may be the choice the club were eventually left with, unless they were willing to drop the price on one of them.
1 of those is a keeper, 1 is Kalu, and there will almost always be at least 1 injured (+Pedro switches in Jan). Think Rob will be fine with that.
As stated previously, I am fairly content with the window. I am not one to 'shill' for the hierarchy either, I am definitely more on the 'Pozzo/Dux out' side of the fence! Let's be honest, our forward line-up of Davis, JP, Sarr, Bayo & Manaj has got goals in it to fire us to promotion! I bet every club in the division is envious of our forward line. I think we take that for granted. Midfield - Hamza a great signing, added what we needed in terms of bite and energy! Louza still to come back anytime now, at this level he should be creating all sorts of opportunities for our forwards. Asprilla has a lot to prove still, of course he does, but what a start he's made! Looks a real talent and if used correctly could be that link-man between midfield and attack we've lacked! Cleverley and Gosling absolutely not up to starting games, but could be good to bring on to see a game out! Kayembe is just a weirdo, one minute looks like Clint Easton and the next minute he's playing like a prime Zidane (not often granted). The issue we are going to have in midfield is if we keep starting Cleverley in a two-man midfield! Defence - The most frustrating aspect of our window (again). I can't recall a window under the Pozzo's where we've ever overhauled the defence?! This was the summer where it needed it! Edwards clearly wants our team to play out from the back and we've probably got the worst ball playing defenders in the Country! There were defenders available on loan or for small transfer fee's that would've improved us in this area but as always we let others take them from under our nose. Hause looks a player and I wanted him back in January, so actually happy we've got him (would've been better than Samir last season). Sierralta is a good defender but terrible in possession. Kabasele rubbish in possession but usually solid as a defender (last couple of games he's been awful), Cathcart is regressing every season, WTE is just sh*t, Pollock an unknown. Wing-backs - Sema & Kamara at this level are very good down the left. The lack of a RWB is absolutely nuts! I would love to know why RE thinks we are ok in this area. Ngakia isn't the answer, never rated him. Gaspar is experienced and may come good once settled, but the jury is out on him! Keeper - Solid enough, no concerns here at this level. Overall, I would say it's a solid 7. What would've made it a 9 or a 10 would've been 3 players: 1 CB that can actually play football. 1 RWB that can get up and down the pitch like Kiko use to (without breaking down). 1 CM to compliment Hamza and Louza if one of them was to get injured (we may have that with TDB when he's back). Not a disaster window like some are making out.
The more I think about it, the more positive I am about the window. At least we only saw 2 foreign punts. The 3 starters at CD, CM and CF look good. Shame they are only here on loan but I doubt we could have afforded to buy and gives us and them flexibility to see how the land lies at the end of the season. Wish we had a 15/20 goal CF like Archer but can't really complain about a front line of Sarr/Davis/Pedro to hopefully all contribute double figures.
Big clear out. More should have gone. They have stay on in midfield and defence. Alarming that we have failed again to buy any defenders yet again. Need another creative player in midfield and an out and out striker. With everyone going out on strike lately there must be a good striker spare somewhere. We don't have any money, so loan deals are the only way forward. RE has not got what he wanted or play the system he prefers. Perhaps he trusted SD too much and you can't turn you back on that man for too long. We have been outplayed in all but one game so far. Still, we have points on the board in the sunshine, yet we all know it will rain real soon. We were linked with many players and none of them were ever really joining Watford. That just PR bullcrap.
We have been left with more than enough to challenge for promotion or even the title, that will do me.
I would definitely keep the pair and sacrifice RWB if that is the choice. Find it hard to imagine we are that skint after our player sales and Kamara injection that we couldn’t finance a loan though. And if that grim picture was the case then why on earth are we sorting the Bayats out in preference!
He said that may have been the scenario the club were ‘eventually’ left with. That doesn’t excuse the Bayo fee or deal - but the phrasing of the point is quite pertinent to what was said.
I honestly don’t get the fall out over the RWB thing. Sure, would’ve been great to get one. But it’s not like we have zero options. The LB issue under Ivic was a far bigger problem because we literally didn’t have a fit one for months. And the CB issue last season too - because the ones we had clearly weren’t to standard for the best league in the world. I do understand why people are annoyed. But it should be a minor annoyance all told IMO. The depth of anger/upset is way too deep really given it’s based on purely hypotheticals and things the manager himself has contradicted - again, only my opinion. Sadly, this is a symptom of how the club has been run over the last few years. Was always going to be the case that if/when the club tried to turn a new leaf, every word would be scrutinised for what has, or indeed, hasn’t been said. I’m not saying I’m right. And I don’t like the owner or those around him - but I’ve found it far better so far this season to at least believe the manager when he talks rather than think he’s covering all the time for broken promises.
