I think we're one good striker away from being a team that can challenge for the top 7. If I was the Pozzos, I would really splash the cash here. I'd invest £25m-£30m on research into genetic splicing and time travel. This is obviously a gamble as the technology may be out of reach, but assuming it is successful I would then create a chimera clone of 2005 Heidar Helguson, 2012 Matej Vydra, 2015 Troy Deeney, 2015 Odion Ighalo, 1960 Cliff Holton, 1983 Luther Blissett and John Barnes and 2008 Danny Shittu, taking the strongest elements of each and none of the weaknesses. Legally speaking, any such entity would be contractually bound to Watford FC, at a weighted average salary of what each of the constituent parts received in their own eras. This would be comparatively peanuts for what would be the greatest player on Earth. There are obvious technological and ethical issues, but the Pozzos could probably overcome them.
Pretty sure we won't be going for a left back in January. We'll continue with Holebas and Marvin until the summer when Holebas' contract is up then we won't renew it and will look for a replacement starting left back with Marvin being our back up. I think our top priority will be another winger/wide forward. Carillo/Richarlison/Pereyra isn't enough with Pereyra's injury problems and I wouldn't hold out much hope of Success contributing much to our season. Carrillo has been fine but hasn't exactly set the place alight so would presume it would be someone that plays mainly on the right (anyone know how Grosicki's getting on at Hull?). Guessing that Okaka will leave and another forward come in but probably as a squad player rather than to replace Gray. Not sure we'll be able to get a decent ball playing centre back in during this window so will probably soldier on with what we've got. I reckon we'll release Watson for free and he'll join a play off chasing side in the Championship. There must also be a chance that Dja Djedje might actually get named in the squad, he seems to play every u23 game so his attitude obviously doesn't stink and he's clearly fit. Leaving him out and then letting Zarate go out on loan was quite a ****ty move in hindsight.
Silva was happy with how he was progressing before his injury. Hughes and Zeegelaar have worked their way into the squad so there's no reason why Success can't.
"Us" "professional" scientists don't describe experiments as "failed". We usually say something along the lines of carrying out:
Vydra is having one of his purple patches at the moment, but unfortunately in his case, that will probably mean another two or three seasons before he hits another one
He could only do it for us when alongside Deeney and at Derby he has got similar support from Nugent or Martin.
We always seem to attract strikers who can be absolutley brilliant, but sadly lack consistsancy, Vydra, Igahlo & Tamas Priskin to name but three , even Luther was nicknamed "Luther Missit"
Mainly because consistently brilliant strikers are out of our price range. The trick is to get 3 inconsistently brilliant ones at 1/4 of the price and only use them when they're in form. Downfall is when form coincides with injury.
As good a player he seems, can't see where he would fit in, midfield is definitely our strongest area. Wouldn't be surprised if we sign him and loan him to Udinese though for now
Signed him on FM for free (due to affiliation) and sold him for £36 million. Deep-lying playmaker God.
We need... 1- Striker - Slimani 2- CB of high calibre , leader, organiser and ball player - Vermahlen Slimani looks likley/possible, but Vermahlen is more wish than realistic as Barcelona wont let him go even though he barely plays.
Was in one of either the Sun or the Mirror, only briefly saw it. Was in an article declaring Arsenal's interest. Tell a lie it was in the Mail.
He's one of the Pozzos most valuable players and definitely Udinese's best talent. Can't imagine he's got a release clause at all, let alone one at 6m.
So after a few games against the better teams, we now have an interesting December. Burnley, Palace, Huddersfield, Brighton, Leicester, Swansea. Six games we should individually win, although a point at Burnley would be satisfactory. So I’m looking for 16 points - a total of 38 pts, and almost guaranteed safety. Those games take us neatly up to the end of the year and to the start of the transfer window. I maintain that it is these games that will show what players we need to strengthen the team, not the games against the likes of City, Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs. I say, to get the odd win and draw against those clubs (5 points so far) is sufficient providing we can beat the rest. I also keep saying that our defenders are average, but good enough to compete with the majority of the Division, whilst I maintain that those who should be our main goalscorers are lacking in quality. Whilst a goal stopped by our defenders is potentially as “valuable” as a goal scored by our forwards, I strongly feel that in reality, the threat to our opponents if we had a real potent goalscorer means that the opposition is inhibited in their own attacking play. I also feel that there is little difference in the quality of our centre backs, that our current mistakes, lack of concentration and pace are equally spread and we would need to replace at least two of them to make a significant difference. So I think that it is up front we need to strengthen first. Many on here disagree, and maybe when the Pozzo’s decide whether to open their chequebook, they will also disagree, particularly if we had just about confirmed survival by then. But I hope not, as I think they want us to be challenging to be the "best of the rest" and our geographic locality and an exciting playing style will help us attract the better players and coaches. So we must get someone who can score goals (as his main job), it would make one hell of a difference.
Top targets: Moussa Dembele (Celtic) Danny Ings Michy Batshuayi Sturridge Manolo Gabbiadini Calum Chambers Luke Shaw Ben Gibson Lamine Kone Pontus Jansson Unrealistic / Desperate: Berahino (Loan?) Mangala Kasper Dolberg I'm sure Gino has his eyes in Brazil or Europe somewhere but these are same players I've seen play who I assume are available and wouldn't mind seeing at Watford in January.
Wishlist Out Deeney Okaka (gone already) Holebas Capoue Success (Loan) Sinclair (Loan) In Slimani (looks like it's happening) Shaw Jankto Gibson (Jansson a close 2nd) Penaranda (if Visa sorted) Cucho (if Visa sorted) Some Winger I've never heard of Dahlberg
I suspect we will get Marcovic and Slimani which is ok. I'd like us to replace Deeney, Okacha, Capoue, Holebas and any of the CBs apart from Kabasele.
I'd settle for 6 and a goalscorer right now... It's amazing though isnt it, that had your prediction come true we'd have been all but safe, and it was by no means an outrageous prediction. Now 38 points feels miles and miles away.