[CONFIRMED] Will Hughes

Wonderful signing. Good start to the summer transfer-wise.

 

I feel a bit sorry for Derby. That used to be us, that did. It was the worst thing about following Watford - as soon as we got anyone who turned out to be half decent, they were off. It's very dispiriting.

It wasn't long ago that they looked certain to go up (I remember looking up the table enviously to them) and then they blew it in the last few games. I can't remember if it was the season we finally got promoted or the one before. Either way, the situation could easily have been reversed and it might easily have been them buying Deeney off us for £4.5m.

We should not lose sight of our humility.

As for Hughes, I remember him being pretty good but not exceptional in the championship against us. He certainly seems highly thought of though. It'll be interesting to see if he's one of those players who'll like the less-frantic and more space nature of the Prem and will blossom with better quality players around him.

I shall look forward to seeing what he can do.

 

I don't feel sorry for derby. They're Cnuts

 

The best thing about Hughes is his 'want to play every week' mentality. He has not admittedly progressed at say the rate Deli Ali has at Spurs. However, there is still great potential which the right circumstances will encourage. He glides around the pitch very nicely, technically is as good as any and the best part can pick and weight a pass between the lines or in behind. That is why so many compared him with Gerrard. It is a very special skill and not many footballers can do it. Over the last 3 years we have generally lacked that type of fluid transitional play. Capoue can do it occasionally - Jurado could not unlock the door as we were too predictable at the time in build up. Therefore see Hughes competing as much with Zarate/ Pereyra as anyone else in midfield. I think that in itself is a quality mark. A coach such as Marco could get the chemistry just right. I will get even more excited if we buy in a quick clinical ambitious striker like Simeone or Allan/ Lemina energising midfield. We could then be cooking on gas. COYHS!

 

Thoroughly agree with this, I remember when Ashley young left and I was very grateful for the money but gutted to see one of our best players go.

Nice to see the tables turned though. Let's crack on with the rest of the business now and sort out the gk situation and get us a proper proven goalscorer in!

 

My biggest concern is whether he can adapt.

He's spent so long at a side who are essentially perennial losers. Can he adjust to now play for a larger, more ambitious and successful side?

He's still young, so I hope we can train the Derby County loser mentality out of him.

 

Behrami would dye for hair like that.

 

Central midfield is the most important area of the team to get right. In saying that so is central defence, though you can't ignore the flanks and you are stuffed without a proven goal scorer. If I had to chose then, I'd probably say a new keeper is our top priority now.

I hope this helps.

 

I do find it staggering how the public/ casual perception is still so incredibly wide of the mark. As *the* most basic of barometers, look at where/ what we were when they took over 5 short years ago, to what/ where we are now. Or perhaps ponder for a minute as to why a south after manager such as Silva and a sought after player in Hughes would, after talks, commit to signing. Simple, no? Apparently not. Still, I've grown to enjoy being vastly underestimated, let the football continue to prove them hilariously wrong.

 

Love this signing. Not because I've seen him play that much or because I feel he will definitely be a success. I love it because we can finally sign one of the brightest young English talents from another club. Not many times since I've properly supported Watford (early 90's) have we done that.

 

Not since Paul Mayo

 

The fury on the derby websites alone tells us what a good deal this is.

 

Stops short of saying "I hate the football Rowett plays, it doesn't suit me"... but the 'want away' signs were there

 

Really happy with this. Welcome to Watford Will.

 

Agreed

Did anyone else see that they are now blaming Aidy Boothroyd for his low fee?

The conspiracy is that we got him because boothroyd done Watford a favor by deliberately not playing him so his value wouldn't increase due to his performances for the u21's.

They continue to go on and say that because he is ex Watford, he still has ties to the club so we made a deal with him not to play him.

However it doesn't end there. Apparently he is the best player in the whole England u21 squad so the only reason he was left out is because Aidy Boothroyd wanted to help Watford. In fact had Hughes been playing his value would have been at least £10mil not the £4.5mil that we paid.

So in essence according to Derby fans we should be thanking Aidy Boothroyd for helping us out.

So here it is

Thank you Aidy Boothroyd for having such influence over Will Hughes and love for Watford. Now if you could do the same with Chalobah that would be great, thanks in advance.

 

Well if Aidy gets the England manager job maybe we'll get a look in at Kane and Alli?

 

In the starting line-up tonight in a semi-final VS Germany.

Missing penalty incoming....

 

I see one of the Germans is called Kempf

Do you think his mum calls him mein kempf?

 

Possibly but whatever it is it's better than their manager's name!

 

He'll fit right in at Watford.

 

He's had a very good half. Abdi-esque.

 

Hughes is looking really good at setting up chances. Less good at ball winning, but that may be because he took a booking for the team early on.

I'd be very happy if he plays like that for us

 

Went quite for 20mins but then the whole side did. But very impressive passing from him. And driving into the box has been good.

 

We sold him to Wednesday already?

 

Ha, yes, bet he just had Stefan on his shirt when he played. Bet he's hard, school would have been tough otherwise!

 

Juat created a great goal for the u21s.

 

£8 million is looking more and more like daylight robbery with every minute that goes by.

 

Nice assist - calm and composed

 

Jurado he ain't

 

On that showing its no wonder he left a tinpot club to join us really.

 

Hughes is definitely one of the better players on that pitch so far which is getting me excited for this season

 

Is Ray Knight Will Hughes' agent?

 

Seems quicker and more composed on the ball than what i thought he would be like. Looking like quite the steal if you ask me.

Germany just scored though