Well, Beps is absolutely new to us, and is being faced with sorting out the defence in a squad built (if Nani thinks about requirements) on the principle that we'll try to score more than they do. We all need time to see how that works out. Lucas Neill we saw in his prime. Unless playing in the A-League has improved his game, the best I can say is that at least he isn't Kevin Muscat.
Amazing signing this. Assuming its Lucas from Liverpool? He can aid Tozser in doing as good a job as anyone could have hoped for in midfield On a more serious note, does this indicate our injury list is getting worse and worse or is it a signing for leadership/bit of bite? Hope he proves a success!
You leave Kevin Muscat out of it..he's half Maltese! My only reservation about this KIND of signing (not criticising the player himself) is I really want to see us using the rest of the season to build for 2014-15. While I appreciate we have to try and win games this season, and still have a mathematicial chance of the play offs, I don't see the point of giving regular gametime to players who we don't think will form part of next season's promotion attempt. Let's start building on-field partnerships now, so there's less need for too much change in the summer.
Paste coming out of his ears this man, quickest defence in the league? Can't wait to see him play with Hall and Cassetti.
That's exactly what springs to my mind, there an interview on Yiu tube with him stating that he wants to see more Australian coaches testing themselves across Europe.
Bit of a pointless signing and what's the betting he either gets injured or sent off in his first match
Completely pointless signing & another example of why Nani should be outed as soon as possible. Should be building for the future!! NANI OUT!
Baffled by this signing. Hope he does well, but strategically makes no sense. He is not a long term prospect and we seem to be well covered in that area. I would like to hear some reasoning.
We cry out for more experience in English leagues in the squad (squad, not necessarily the team) then complain when we sign someone who performed at an extremely high level in the Premier League for what, 10 years? Don't know why I'm surprised by that. If he can come in to 7 or 8 games and have as positive an impact on and off the pitch as Eustace, Hall etc may have then he's a good signing. He doesn't seem like the sort of player who would just sit around acting lazy either, especially with the World Cup this summer. Just think, with Belkalem for Algeria, Neill for Australia and Deeney 4 ingland, we could have a few Hornets at the World Cup! (All except the Deeney comment was meant seriously)
He won't be a Hornet by the time it comes to the WC and that's the main problem. Yes we all want more experience but PERMANENT experience would be nice or a season loan, coming in at this point of the season is useless. He's 35, not got a lot of legs left, he's here till the end of the season and he'll be gone again. His positive impact (if he has one) will last 7 games before he's gone again. We need stability, I'd rather play our own like Nos or let some of the youngsters have a few games, let them come off the bench etc. This signing may mean Sannino still thinks we're in the play-off hunt or that we're still in a relegation battle, either way for me this states that the club don't think the season is over. Unless Nani's doing Neil a favour..
We've really been screwed in terms of leadership since we let eustace leave. While he might not play all our remaining games. He's bound to offer something to the squad.
Anyone would complain if they conceded the penalties we have this season. Im talking about the rest of the match, the little decisions that go against us. Yes, I do think it plays a massive part in our league.
Seeing as Sannino is most likely going to be off in the summer does everyone really think he's going to bother building for the long term?
We sign the captain of the Australian national football team on a cheap short term deal and there is absolute uproar. Jesus wept.
If he is signed at the expense of our own contracted players (Hoban/Brown/Belkalem (loan-ish)) and with nowt to play for, what really is the point?? Wouldnt be suprised if he is our highest wage earner now also....
Definitely was a class player, it remains to be seen just how good he is now, potentially a good addition to the squad for the rest of the season?
Lol this argument again. Pretty sure Jesus isn't crying if he has any sense. Rhys Williams - M'Boro Michael Zulo - Adelaide United Ryan McGowan - Shandog Lueanskdlklajoqeip (China) Jason Davidson - Heracles Alex Wilkinson - Jeonbuk (South Korea) Ivan Frajnic - Brisbane Them players are all playing at AWFUL levels except Rhys Williams. Lucas Neil's Australia caps hold about much weight as Diakite's Mali caps. We might aswell sign Pakistan's football team captain so my family finally know who Watford FC are.
whoever thinks this signing is worthwhile is an idiot. I dont even know why we bothered with this. He's not going to care about the club, he just wants to stay fit for the world cup. There is no benefit to us in any way. Yes he played in the premier league but that was a long time ago now. He hasnt been with a club since November, and when he played here he was in a crap football team in a competition that is below league 1 level. We now have the Australian captain and the ex south korean captain playing for us.... pfft, we are a joke.
The signing is nothing to get excited about, but that's not to say its not worthwhile. Maybe with all the injuries we don't have sufficient defenders for the reserve games? Pay him a few quid as a stop gap - suits him and it suits us. Plus having an older head around the place might help the younger guys, whose heads seem to drop rather too quickly when things go wrong for my liking.
Having seen Australian 'top flight' football first hand it is very poor yet no one was interested in him there except for some NSW State team who would be the equivalent of a Sunday pub team here. That is a worry. Still, he might be a good influence off the pitch and possibly a future defensive coach.
To all those who have moaned about our recruitment policy under the Pozzos - is this not exactly the sort of experienced Championship calibre player that you've been crying out for? This signing is fine. He won't set the world on fire but is a known quantity at our level.