Pudil was a decent player tbf Anyway, bit more impressive when you're only 18 and keeping clean sheets with Galatasary against Schalke
Very highly rated. Would be amazed if we thought we could get him. But if we did, no more of this drip feeding them into the team over a long period. Good enough, old enough.
Not that I'm limited in my desires for a CB, but bringing up Cahill once more (I don't see us going in for him by the way). But one thing people are worried about is his pace. Last night though (and quite often) we needed some aerial dominance, and I'd say this is a strength of Cahill. Could have made a difference last night. But he's just one example of this type of player.
It's been an Achilles heal of ours for years. That diagonal free kick into our box causes all sorts of panic. We just cannot cope with a simple play like that and never have been able to. It must be to do with the players we have rather than coaching. We are not dominant enough in the air and this is probably our biggest defensive weakness.
We're involved in a three-way tie between Spam and Flem for Cahill's signature, according to this report. http://londonfootballnews.co.uk/wes...a-gary-cahill-fulham-west-ham-watford-choice/
Cahill's performance against us in the 4-1 last season makes me worried about this link He looked every bit an over the hill CB in that match
Cahill will be okay if the defensive style is such that we don’t have to rely on him for pace. Plenty of good CB’s have played well into their 30’s. Mariappa is a good example of a CB who has the pace but no longer does the basics well. Cahill will be the opposite and that’s far more suited to what we need. Much like any player we sign, if they had every attribute, they wouldn’t be signing for us. I still think Christensen is a better option but Chelsea may not be willing to sell him or cheaply enough. If we got Cahill and Kabak from Galatasaray (quite a few Turkish twitter accounts and Turkish media outlets saying it’s almost done), then the club will have done what’s necessary. Last night showed not only do we need CB’s, it’s that we need them early in the window - because that is our Achilles heel, and we’ve done better so far this season defensively but it’s starting to go the same way as last season.
Normally I agree with the vast majority of your posts. But this is down to coaching. Not necessarily the X's and O's but what is going on between the players ears that needs to be changed. It's never a short term fix here but the development of an attitude. Tough thing to achieve but possible.
The only reason I say it's not down to coaching, is because it's been a problem for many years and many different coaches. The only common thing are the players, who have been at the club during this time. Personally I think Gracia sorted this problem out early on this season, and we were right up there with reducing shots on our goal. We were in the top 2 or 3. Since then we've gradually receded and are going back to our old ways, culminating in last night's defensive horror show. It's easy to blame the coach, but I feel on this occasion you have to look at the players. If Cathcart has an off night, which he did last night, then we are all over the place. Mapps is a great servant to the club, and always gives his best, but he has a certain way of playing. He gambles his positioning in order to cover up his lack of height. He makes moves towards the ball early, and if he misjudges it he is out of position. Now in the Championship it's not a problem as strikers don't punish you, but in the Premier League they do. It's no surprise we looked good defensively when Kabasele was playing really well. But since that red card and penalty against Bournemouth he's gone downhill in his performance. He's looking clumsy and unreliable right now. This is why we need a new signing at the back.
Jermaine Defoe is available. Bournemouth are willing to listen to offers. Normally I'd say to steer clear because of his age, but he's quality in front of goal. We create so many chances, and I think it could be worth a gamble as he would be a fairly cheap short-term option.
Turkish guy looks promising. We've also been linked with Gregoire Defrel, again. https://www.football-italia.net/132743/premier-league-offers-defrel
Did you see at the end that Lady Brady was paid £400k for 'consultancy work' at Spam, on top of her £900k salary there? Unusual to be both an employee & a consultant.
Our regular interest in Gregoire Defrel has resurfaced. https://www.skysports.com/football/...frel-a-target-for-watford-fulham-and-west-ham
Maybe it's all down to having a true leader at the back. People seem to knock Cahill (in some of the comment I've read) but I wonder if he would provide this. Someone to scream and shout and put the fear of god into people. If he just stays for 6/18 month I dare say he would have an influence on the training park as well with other younger central defenders. I remember speaking with a Liverpool scout and he said to me we look for 'Speed, engine and a big mouth we can teach skills'.
Yes impossible I would say unless she started as one and became the other ? or perhaps a family member did some consultancy work which gets shown as part of her broader earnings ?
Maybe Gino's spinning some line that, with Brexit, all CL level teen prodigies have to first pass through Watford. Unless the foreigners read the Politics thread on here, they won't have a clue what's happening & may be suckered in.
She's been 'doing for' Dildo Inc for years & is the only director of the beneficiary company. Maybe Peschisolido painted the stands during the summer break. All above board, I'm sure.
Absolute banter from the Pozzos. Hot on the heels of the Zeegelaar to Udinese rumour, some Sky Italia journo on Twitter says Okaka is signing for them too. https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1080948442866814978?s=19
The boot is firmly on the other foot... Must be lots of Udine fans getting excited tonight. Okaka and Zeeglaar to ease their relegation fears. Hope they are loans with a view to buy, although Brexit might reduce their value.
To Palace players gone down hill, Johnny Williams just made one Sub appearance in the EFL cup in August signed for Charlton on a six month contract, Jordan Mutch had his contract cancelled, at age 25 and 27 respectively they should be coming to the peak of their careers!