They are and will probably be a nuisance next year. However, two Championship seasons finishing 16th and 15th is not where we want to be. It's going to be extremely difficult, no two ways about it.
I'm not sure this is true though. Pozzo Snr has never had a formal role at Watford. Has he even been seen at a match since the early days? Gino has been in charge since Day 1 and moved to London accordingly. There's been no falling out between them and so as far as we're aware if Gino wants to 'consult' his dad he can do so whenever he pleases.
Yep I agree! I cannot see any reason why he can't just pick up the phone for a chat, or C19 permitting, even have dad over for a visit or indeed "Visa Versa"
Honestly I think it is totally baffling that some would be prepared to keep Troy to lead the line in the Championship. What on earth for?? His brilliant leadership qualities as captain as he mouthed off in the media again and again, while demonstrating no leadership on the pitch? Or perhaps his consistently annonymous perfomances, shuffling around the pitch whilst failing to string 2 passes together? Troy gave a lot for the club over the years particularly in the push for promotion and the first year or so in the prem, but his time as a player and a leader are done and his attitude stinks.
Indeed, and Pozzo senior is actually not even allowed to take an official role in leading a football club after being banned for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal sometime in the last couple of decades, IIRC.
Anyone know what the rules are on the squad size in the Championship? Got so used the the Premier League rules, but is it different now?
Is he just the face of Udinese ? Rather than running it day by day. Even he said the season should be cancelled. There wasn't a positive mind set to re starting anywhere in the club.
Gino should hire Dave Aldred. Johnny Wilkinson's former kicking coach and worked with Luke Donald. When the federation moved our qualifications in line with Sport England those of us at the top level did a ten day transference course at the NTC. Aldred was a speaker for an afternoon. He was quite the best presenter I have ever heard. Truly brilliant. We had a day and a half of some twit from Loughborough and Steve Peters but I learned more in five minutes from DA than the other ten days. Inspirational,superb analysis and biomechanical knowledge which would help the likes of Welbeck and Janmaat.
@HB1 https://www.efl.com/-more/governance/efl-rules--regulations/section-5--fixtures/ Not the easiest doc to search through but.... 33.8 Home Grown Players. Each Club shall be required to nominate a minimum of seven Home Grown Players on their Team Sheet of Players for all League Competition Matches (including Play Off Matches). Guidance Home Grown – Carabao Cup, EFL Trophy and FA Cup matches are exempt from the Home Grown quota. 33.9 ‘Home Grown Player’ shall mean a Player who irrespective of his nationality or age, has been registered with:- 33.9.1 his current Club; and/or 33.9.2 a Club and/or any other football club affiliated to the Football Association or the Football Association of Wales, for a period, continuous or not of three Seasons or 36 months prior to his 21 birthday (or the end of the Season during which he turns 21). For the purposes of this definition of Home Grown Player only, a Season will be deemed to commence for all Clubs on the same date as the date on which the Summer Transfer Window in that Season closes for Clubs in Leagues One and Two, and expire on the date of the final League Match of the Season. Haven't found any restrictions on the squad yet but assume there are some.... There is a 'club developed' player rule as well that looks new....
I think the rules are squads can contain Mariappa, Dawson, Cathcart, Kabasale, Femenia, Janmaat, Deeney, Gray and 15 or so others. You're welcome.
I hope you are right about Gerry although I have to say I am doubtful, however, if you are right how amazing would it be to see him in The Championship even if it is until January, it would be a dream to have him rip Luton apart in The Championship.
Maybe Wilmott can replace him. I think that is why Mariappa is here. To ensure we have enough home grown players and he probably doesn't rock the boat or pick up injuries.
Haven't done the maths but at first glance several of our young prospects I think joined the club early enough to be home grown
I've said this before, but having Mariappa in the squad is absolutely no problem whatsoever, a model pro. Having him first drop if anyone gets injured or has a stinker and gets hooked off at half time...yeah, you've got a problem there. I wouldn't even want him near the team at Championship level, but to have him around the squad is useful for various reasons
Wow....that's so lucky. We just happen to have a Mariappa, Dawson, Cathcart, Kabasale, Femenia, Janmaat, Deeney and a Gray. What are the odd on that?
Good post . It is now time for Troy to go and not to sully his reputation any further . We don't want our version of John Terry.
Had a few 'yeah, you'll be fine in the Championship, Deeney might be quite good there' comments from a few neutrals, not quite sure what to make of those...
I think the truth is somewhere in the middle with Troy. He’d be ok in the championship, couldn’t see him getting 20+ goals again as he’s 32 and we have all seen with our own eyes that he has declined quite badly in the past couple of years. But whatever way you slice it it’s an easier league, he’ll get a bit more time and a lot more chances which can breed confidence and mean he takes more chances that he does in the PL, because they’re so few and far between. That said I don’t want him to stay if we can possibly help it. While he might do ok I think we need better than that and amongst our young strikers we’ve got plenty which could tear that league up.
True, he's not the same player, but he's never looked that impressive in the Prem. His game has developed in those 5 years although his mobility has suffered. I just don't quite understand why our fans are so willing to dispose of an experienced, proven Championship player who also happens to be a club legend. To me, that is baffling.
We're talking a good 6 seasons ago for crying out loud. Think a lot of you are completely underestimating the Championship, it's a pig of a league and we cannot expect results by sending out the same team who have played poorly with zero confidence for over a year now.
Playing devil's advocate...His passing from a slightly deeper position has created many opportunities for others and he's still a decent defender from set pieces. If we're really really stuck, he could be useful in an advanced midfield role a la Rooney. ***tin helmet on***
This particular convo is probably best left on the Deeney thread, I agree that his time leading the line for the early Pozzo era is massively important but his performance and leadership has been appalling the last few years! It would be my choice to get rid of him as I think there is a desperate need for the club to rebuild before tackling the Prem again.
I actually think that this is a viable solution, turning him into some kind of target man attacking mid player. However he really does need to work on his passing which has been partciularly poor (alongside the rest of the team mind).
On the pitch, I'm sure he can still do a half-decent job in the Championship, I'd be perfectly happy with him as a rotation option (though even in the Championship he can't be our only striker again). Off the pitch, you wonder if he has far too much influence for the good of the club
I think we have to draw a line somewhere with him, he’s 32 and maybe a club legend but there is the risk he tarnishes his reputation further the longer he stays. Looking at some of our younger untried strikers I’d personally rather go with possibly brilliant over probably average next season.
I absolutely understand the argument and finding a young replacement to lead the line would be ideal. It carries a lot of risk however as we have no guarantees such an option exists/can be found. I'm all for it if it works, but Deeney seems like a safer option for next season, though clearly not long term!
You seem to be overlooking the fact that they have looked poor this season because Premier League teams have made them look poor. The Championship is different; except for a few teams at the top, none of the teams down there have anywhere near the skill, creativity, vision and ability to pull players out of position or punish mistakes, even minor ones, that the top flight sides do. Also you have to factor in confidence which will be improved by playing in a team that is winning much more often. Also, what have you and others got against keeping Dawson? Please explain with more substance than simply calling him a "moron". Admittedly he had a shaky start to the season (but who didn't?) but since Pearson came in and he's been a regular, he's been our most reliable defender, is strong and committed (quite different from what you accuse most of our team of being), can drive the attack forward better than anyone else in his position and is just about the only player who's a threat at set pieces. I can't think of any goal conceded since Pearson came in that he's been at fault for, unlike with just about every other defender. He played 41 Championship games in 2018/19 for a West Brom side who finished 4th, a position most wouldn't be unhappy with next season. He's also experienced and has a good disciplinary record, having never picked up a red card in his senior career and few yellows most seasons. I get the feeling that the antagonism towards Dawson is negativity towards our limited recruitment which is being redirected towards him, rather than what he actually offers as a player.
Dawson would have been fine with a decent set of defenders to either play alongside him or challenge him, as it is, he was the best of an average bunch. Think it will be him and Wilmot lining up together next season, hopefully with some fresh legs to challenge them
Did you watch the game yesterday? He gave away a penalty by being an idiot. 34 seconds into our biggest game of the season. He allowed Aubameyang to score his second goal when he was supposed to be 'marking' him. He gifted Arsenal a chance to make it 4 (the one where Nketiah stupidly squared it to Aubameyang). Dawson's performance yesterday was one of the worst individual performances I've seen in our time in the PL. He's a threat at set-pieces, I'll give you that, but he is a poor defender (along with Kabasele, Cathcart and Mariappa).