Who Stays, Who Goes, Who Needs Signing?

Discussion in 'The Hornets' Nest - Watford Chat' started by lowerrous, Apr 17, 2022.

  1. lowerrous

    lowerrous First Team

    Seems there have been a few discussions around this theme scattered haphazardly across various threads on here, so with us now all but down I thought it made sense to collect posts on it in to one thread.

    GK
    Foster and Bachmann will surely both leave?
    Okoye seems likely to be first choice.

    LB
    Kamara - will stay I reckon.
    The question then is whether we sell Masina/ship him to Udinese, and just keep Jody Morris as backup?

    RB
    Femenia - who knows how much left he's got in him?
    Ngakia - don't want him as first choice even in Champ. Sub.
    Ebosele - hoping he comes here, or else depending on Femenia's situation we may need another.

    CB
    Kabasele should be kept imo - has seemed our best CB of late
    Samir don't mind, but can leave back to Udinese if he doesn't fancy Champ
    Sierralta - hope he plays again in the Champ
    WTE can leave, please
    Cathcart - might as well be backup one more season
    Pollock - might be fine as backup, but another loan playing regularly in a back four could be most useful

    CM
    Louza - reckon he'll stay. Not done enough that we'd make our money back so Pozzos won't sell.
    Sissoko and Kucka - we shouldn't have both starting, even in the Champ. Likely on high wages. Wouldn't mind losing one, if not both.
    Kayembe - should be alright as an option in the Champ.
    Cleverley, Gosling etc. - hope they go.
    Etebo - who knows what's up with him?
    Zinc - will probably go unless he's fine as a bench option again here

    LW
    Cucho - won't be surprised if there's not a big enough offer and he stays
    Dennis - sold obv
    Baah - could be a decent sub behind Cucho
    Sema - please go

    RW
    Sarr - sold
    Hungbo - might not be good enough to be first choice, but should be a good sub at least

    ST
    King - ideally I'd get rid tbh, especially given his likely wage. Otherwise bench.
    JP - doubt we'd receive enough to sell, but don't want him starting in the Champ either. Still floats around too much while offering little threat. Fine as a squad option as he develops (or not)

    Sign:
    Essential:
    - Goalscoring CM. Our lack of goals from midfield this season has been truly shocking, plus most our current players for the advanced CM position(s) are past it.
    - RW. Given Sarr will surely go we'll need another player to provide a significant threat there.
    - ST. I'm not convinced either King or JP will get us enough goals to win promotion. Neither were prolific in the Champ last season. We've been lacking a good goalscorer at CF for far too long now.

    Others:
    As per 20/21, our defence should be alright again. An aerially dominant CB would still be good though given our issues at set-pieces.
    RB situation is a question mark depending on comings and goings and Femenia's general fitness.
    LW would also be essential in case Cucho goes.
     
  2. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    Tbh who knows !

    Expect the unexpected I feel .

    Sarr and Dennis will attract most interest .

    Probably be wheeling and dealing with Udinese and Mr Bayat again .

    Don’t be surprised if most of the older in contract players are here next season if it’s right what Duxbury has said .
     
  3. If it were my choice (which its not) I would keep:

    GKs
    Okeye
    Dahlberg

    DFs
    Ngakia
    WTE (everyone hates him but he's decent at champ level)
    Kamara
    Kabasele
    Sierralta
    Pollock
    Samir
    Kiko

    MIDs
    Quina
    Dele Bashiru
    Etebo
    Louza
    Kayembe
    Zinckernagel

    FWDs
    Pedro
    Sarr (probably sold)
    Dennis (probably sold)
    Cucho
    Baah
    Mebude
    Fletcher

    Properly coached and with a bit of strengthening I believe that is a top 6 championship level side

    Where I would spend money this summer is looking for the next Tooney type 9, it would likely be my only big purchase

    However, who knows, since when could anyone predict what we do over a summer?!
     
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  4. reids

    reids First Team

    The Athletic said when we signed him there was a clause to make the loan into a permanent after a certain amount of games had been played. I reckon either he's said he doesn't wanna play in the Champ or we don't wanna trigger it to save money.
     
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  5. lowerrous

    lowerrous First Team

    Forgot these three existed.

    None are good enough to start for us.

    TDB and Quina should prob be loaned again unless we receive decent offers or we need one of them for the bench, which seems unlikely given our current numbers at CM.
     
  6. lowerrous

    lowerrous First Team

    Then why did we even stick him on the bench last game?
     
  7. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    No choice - make up the numbers ?
     
  8. Both have been having good seasons in the champ as far as I've seen

    TDB show reel, remember he's still only 22 and lost a development year to a nasty injury

    Finishes better than Sissoko!

     
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2022
    SkylaRose likes this.
  9. SerbianHornet

    SerbianHornet First Year Pro

    There are only three players that I really like in this squad: Kamara, Cucho and Pedro(Kamara is a good enough fullback to play a part in most PL teams, and the latter two, while not polished enough, have some potential and show a lot of fight whenever they play). I wouldn't be too bothered if anyone else left.
    There are players who are good enough for Championship and will probably have to be kept because we can't really do a full overhaul due to our financial state.
    But players like Sema, Gosling, WTE, Bachman, etc. are players that really should be sold. Foster and Sissoko are past their best, former is more bothered by his youtube career and the latter now has only good stamina and nothing else. Sarr's mind is elsewhere, Dennis' probably too and he's a liability anyways.

    We need new defenders first and foremost, a goalkeeper, new defensive midfileder and a new center midfielder, a striker and a winger.
     
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  10. lowerrous

    lowerrous First Team

    TDB has spent the last few months on the bench for Reading. If he's not good enough for them he's not good enough for us.

    I don't see too much special in him, he's tidy but average.

    Being able to finish better than Sissoko is nothing to shout about either lol, plus his last goal came in November.

    Sure he's still young, but he'd just be on the bench for us at most next season as well. He'll need to become a regular on loan again if he's to kick on.
     
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  11. he's in my champ squad for 22/23, you can leave him out of yours :)

    Louza, Etebo and Kayembe are my starting mid 3

    Zink & Quina off the bench for some flair, and TDB off the bench as solid back up for all 3
     
  12. lowerrous

    lowerrous First Team

    That reminds me, had forgotten we also have Asprilla joining us in the summer for that role. Not sure if he'll be good enough for us yet though or could take some time settling in. I suspect he'll be worth giving more of a chance to than Quina again however.
     
    La_tempesta_cielo_68 likes this.
  13. LouOrns

    LouOrns First Year Pro

    Thank god you’re not the owner
     
    wfcmoog likes this.
  14. SkylaRose

    SkylaRose Administrator Staff Member

    GK
    Foster - Retire no doubt. He has been a good servant to us, but this season especially his ego and personal life come before his football. If he goes on to be a Social Media Celeb than good luck to him.
    Bachmann - Ah Dracula. Def. not PL standard, but did alright last time out in the Championship. However his is two years older and hasn't had much first team football. He could stay as backup.
    Okoye - Hardly seen him, but he should have enough behind him to make a case for first choice. Let's hope we can develop him further.

    LB
    Kamara - Hasn't done too much wrong really, should be enough for the level below.
    Masina - Time for him to move on I feel, again a good servant but clearly past his best. He would probably end up staying if we cannot find a replacement.

    RB
    Femenia - Made of glass, and the more knocks he takes the longer he will be out. He is too much of a liability now, but on his day he can be one of our best Right Backs. Backup or sell.
    Ngakia - I think he's good enough as a Championship player, just needs to cut out the silly errors.
    Ebosele - No comment as of yet.

    CB
    Kabasele - Been really good (which is surprising) this season. Sure, he has the usual error in him, but he should be here for next season, not got a problem with him.
    Samir - Blows hot and cold a little. Would like to see how he would cope in a more competitive division.
    Sierralta -If he retain what he did two seasons ago, he is a must starter. However, his lack of game time this season could demotivate him to consider staying, or wanting a move.
    WTE - Not played for us since his Brentford bumble - probably past it now. Cannot see him getting a game other than the cups. I would cut loose.
    Cathcart - One of our most inconsistent players. Can be great or terrible on the day. Backup at best, but we need a replacement asap.
    Pollock - Would like to see him given a shot in the Cups. Could be an emergency backup player. Needs more experience.

    CM
    Louza - Despite his miss yesterday, he can still prove to be an asset next season. I would def. keep him.
    Sissoko - Been a good captain, but his motivation levels have dropped as of late. Still a good player in there somewhere. I would probably let him go.
    Kucka - Cannot play more than 45mins per game, but gives his all and tries. He will probably be moved on but would not be adverse to keeping him.
    Kayembe - Not done too much wrong, but should be alright.
    Cleverley - Time for Super Tom to retire.
    Etebo - Would like to see him progress with us. Hopefully under a new manager we might see more of him.
    Zinc - If Forest go up, he might stay with them, but reports say they don't think he's PL quality. Wouldn't say no to him coming back next season.
    Gosling - Def. needs to go.

    LW

    Cucho - One of our best players this season for work rate and desire. Would love him to stay, but if an offer comes in he might be off.
    Dennis - Will be sold.
    Baah - Not seen enough of him to really judge.
    Sema - King Ken surely will be shipped out.

    RW
    Sarr - Will more than likely be wearing a Liverpool shirt next season.
    Hungbo - Quite like his work effort. Should be good enough as a squad player.

    ST
    King - Cannot hit a barn door with a banjo since United goals. Hold up play is good, but he won't score enough goals to warrant keeping him.
    JP - He might be sold, but I would like him to be kept on another season with us. With PL experience behind him now, next season could be his moment.
     
  15. LouOrns

    LouOrns First Year Pro

    GKs: Foster, Bachmann and Elliott are rubbish so fire them out of a cannon. Dahlberg second choice? Who knows, not really bothered

    RB: Kiko is fine at Champ level, but would rather have a younger version. Ngakia is fine as backup

    LB: Kamara must keep, send Masina to Udinese, get a back up

    CB: Kabasele has to go, truly abysmal centre back that’s also got the mentality of a 6 year old. Keep Sierralta, Pollock, Samir and Cathcart (CC just for the HG quota). Get rid of Troost and then bring in another CB

    MF: Get rid of Sissoko, Cleverley and Kucka. Keep Louza, Kayembe , Etebo, Phillips (he’s funny) and sign someone like Samardzic from Udinese for the goalscoring threat and creativity. Oh forgot about Gosling, because he’s rubbish, get rid.

    FWDs: Joao is a must keep, been good this season and one of the best link #9s in the league. Also keep Cucho, Asprilla, Hungbo, Kalu, Baah. Be fine with keeping King but also wouldn’t care if he left. Zinckernagel, Quina can go but also fine if they stayed for squad reasons. Need to bring in a natural finisher (Vydra) on a free wouldn’t be the worst idea. Send Sema on the first flight to Udinese as well, another one I forgot.

    Obviously Sarr and Dennis are gone
     
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  16. hornetboy1

    hornetboy1 First Team Captain

    These are the players Watford currently own. I've excluded academy players. Apologies if I've missed any player out.

    Squad
    GK

    Maduka Okoye, Rob Elliot, Vincent Angelini - New keeper probably needed or retain Foster.

    LB
    Hassane Kamara, Adam Masina, Jake Morris (2)

    RB
    Kiko Femenia, Jeremy Ngakia (2)

    CB
    Craig Cathcart, Cristian Kabasele, Francisco Sierralta, Matty Pollock, William Troost-Ekong, Samir (6)

    MF
    Imran Louza, Edo Kayembe, Juraj Kucka, Tom Cleverley, Dan Gosling, Peter Etebo (hope we sign him), Tom Dele-Bashiru, Domingos Quina, Yaser Asprilla, Philip Zinckernagel (10)

    LW
    Ken Sema, Samuel Kalu (2)

    RW
    Joseph Hungbo, Kwadwo Baah (2)

    FW
    Ashley Fletcher, Cucho Hernandez, Joao Pedro, Joshua King (4)


    Sold/Released/Loaned

    Andre Gray
    Ben Foster
    Daniel Bachmann
    Danny Rose
    Emmanuel Dennis
    Ignacio Pussetto
    Ismaila Sarr
    Jaime Alvarado
    Jorge Segura
    Juergen Elitim
    Kwasi Sibo
    Moussa Sissoko
    Nicolas Nkoulou
    Pontus Dahlberg
    Samuel Okoye
    Sonny Blu Lo-Everton
    Tiago Cukur
    Dapo Mebude
    Djibril Toure
    Josh O'Brian
    Daniel Phillips
     
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  17. Halfwayline

    Halfwayline Reservist

    That Ucko fellow mentioned that, at the secret squirrel meeting, the font of all footballing knowledge duxberry very much saw Gosling, Kucka and Cleverley to be part of next seasons squad
     
  18. lowerrous

    lowerrous First Team

    And some people think there are positives to getting relegated to the Champ. :oops:
     
  19. Lloyd

    Lloyd Squad Player

    Keep Foster, Cathcart, Cleverly, Gosling and Sema - get rid of all the others
     
    SkylaRose likes this.
  20. NathWFC

    NathWFC First Team

    Hahaha. Must fancy another relegation.
     
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  21. UEA_Hornet

    UEA_Hornet First Team Captain

    Pretty sure you mean Fozzy, Cathers, Clevers, Gosling and King King.
     
    Lloyd likes this.
  22. SkylaRose

    SkylaRose Administrator Staff Member

    If that is true - anyone know how much a League One season ticket costs? Quite enjoy visits to Charlton and Ipswich.
     
  23. I Blame Pozzo

    I Blame Pozzo First Team

    Is he deranged?
    Man's an idiot!
     
  24. BeersThen

    BeersThen Reservist

    I read that as a wind-up to be honest.
     
  25. BeersThen

    BeersThen Reservist

    What do we know about Okoye? Is he going to lower himself to the Championship? Reckon we'll end up with Bachmann again.
     
  26. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    Probably meant they will be staying as under contract and no one wants them.
     
  27. wfcSinatra

    wfcSinatra Predictor Choker 14/15

    There's no chance in hell Liverpool buy him now.

    He'll be behind Salah, Mane, Firmino, Jota & Diaz in the pecking order. Liverpool will be after a defender and a centre mid before they think about Sarr.
     
  28. wfcmoog

    wfcmoog Tinpot

    I think he might be
     
  29. wfcmoog

    wfcmoog Tinpot

    Recall Hoggs.
     
  30. SkylaRose

    SkylaRose Administrator Staff Member

    Actually not a bad call. He's playing for a Huddersfield side who look good for playoffs. If they don't go up, I wonder if we can tempt him back. He's 33 so just about in Gino's age bracket.
     
  31. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Need to sign at least three more players from Bayat, a couple who are in their mid thirties and a one hit wonder from Bolivia. Not forgetting another couple of released kids from yet another PL academy. All in a days faffing around for Scott and Gino as they congratulate each other on a job well done (well done in their own mind but not to anyone else who has half a brain cell to think with).
     
  32. SkylaRose

    SkylaRose Administrator Staff Member

    Fixed. :p
     
  33. Chumlax

    Chumlax Squad Player

    Also still very strong talk that they've agreed/are in the process of agreeing a deal with Carvalho from Fulham for something like £8m - if he goes there, given he's a winger/attacking mid, I'd presume he'd be seen as yet another member of that forward group in one of the wide positions and then they're positively overflowing.
     
  34. Dorset-Orn

    Dorset-Orn First Year Pro

    Agree. Let's face it apart from dodgy defending our biggest problem has been a lack of a proper striker/target man. We haven't had one since deeney left and the players we have used this year are basically counter-attack players who can't torment any prem defence unless they're a team in turmoil.
    A big quick striker in the likes of Toney, and a proper fit CM to run our midfield are main priority for the champ next season..
     
  35. lowerrous

    lowerrous First Team

    The deal has been confirmed. Carvalho is more an attacking central midfielder though (hasn't played on the wing once). Plus is right footed. So he'd have nothing to do with Pool's right-wing.

    Sarr just isn't good enough for Liverpool; he'd hardly get off the bench for them - for that reason I can't imagine they'd even bother making a bid for him unless they could get him for way below his value and he's fine with not playing.
     

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