Yes it could mean, as others have said, that the club isn’t telling the truth about its new homegrown policy OR maybe it’s more a case of them not boxing themselves in to a corner. And I see that as a good thing. If they were adamant Femenia’s replacement had to be homegrown, they’d have immediately alienated themselves from signing several potential decent candidates. Seems to me they’ve put quality of player before a set policy. Instead they’ve been flexible and grabbed with both hands the opportunity to sign such an experienced player. If he stays fit and his legs haven’t gone, I think this has the potential to be the signing of the summer in the Championship. We are getting so much experience and know-how here, a potential leader in a squad sadly short of them, and a very decent player too. Get in!
I saw him once at a Halloween fancy dress party. People were being rude and throwing stuff around but he stepped in, sorted it out in his bedsheet with holes Halloween costume and bought everyone a drink. Yes, Gaspar was a very friendly ghost.
That was some goal he scored against England...and against Hodgson too so he gets an extra brownie point lol
Surely the biggest question is how are we going to disgrace ourselves as a club and earn the hatred of Villarreal fans for how we treat him? There are so many tried and tested options to choose from.
I’m sad to see Femenia leave given how well he did in the Champo last time. This fella has better pedigree, but if he was better why would Villarreal want to swap?
Because he wants to play more and after 400+ games, they respect that and want to facilitate it? Leaves a backup spot free in their squad which Femenia can fill?
Is the fact that Kamara is still being shunted on the right this pre-season a sign that Gaspar is being seen as more of a RCB than a RWB? I mean, I wouldn't say no to a RCB, but we definitely need a wing-back more
There are plenty who’ve watched FGR which is why they all are disgusted we haven’t signed their full back from last season
What's up with Ngakia? If he's fit, surely it's best to play your backup RWB in more or less his actual position than shoehorn a class LWB onto the other side?
Where has this come from that Gaspar might be coming as a centre back? He's 31 and has only played there 9 times in his career, plus Giaretta basically said he's a replacement for Kiko. I think someone mentioned it on Twitter and some people have just run with it.
I like Ngakia but I don't think he's ever going to be a wing back. I think Edwards sees it as well, he's tried Kamara and Hungbo on the right despite both being left footed.
I'm happy with this, technically he should be levels ahead of someone like Ngakia. I remember when Cassetti arrived, when you saw his touch and weight of pass etc you knew this was a man who had played Champions League football. Against some / most Championship players that is usually enough as the gulf is huge. However, with Cassetti it was the very quick or very tricky wingers that got him as he literally could not sprint anymore. It seems there are also questions marks over Gaspar physically, I haven't seen him play but that is likely where he'll be caught out if he's as slow as people are making out. But the experience, the class and the brains is very, very valuable. Especially in a squad that showed us, they're quite thick. Even our stars in Pedro, Sarr & Dennis make some extremely poor decisions let alone some of the brain-dead defending from the likes of WTE, Masina & c0 so overall this should be refreshing. It will be nice to see some real technical quality on the pitch. Also, 31 is not pensioner age! He should have 2 years in him before a real downturn.
He's not ahead of Aurier or Foyth, Femenia will be 3rd choice right-back at Villarreal. That's a role they didn't want to disgrace a club legend and club captain with. Also means Capoue can't have been too disparaging about us... I await Gaspar's interview where he tells us Capoue and Estupinan told him what a wonderful club & city Watford is which is why he joined.
Not seen any concrete evidence that he'll play RCB, but I still find it a bit concerning that we're shifting Kamara to RWB for these friendlies when we have someone who isn't as alien to the position (Ngakia may not be perfectly suited to the role, but surely he's adequate enough cover for a ******* friendly game, and surely we want to have Kamara playing where he's actually supposed to). Besides, if we're supposedly still in the market for a homegrown RWB (according to Leventhal) when we've already got Ngakia on the books, what does that say about our plans for Gaspar? Only thing is, it seems like the role Gaspar is taking on is more demanding than the one Cassetti took on a decade ago, does Gaspar have the legs for it? The RCB role isn't that different from a traditional RB role in many ways, it wouldn't shock me if that's the plan for him
Don’t forget there’s a nice midseason break this year so the likes of Gaspar, Cleverley, Cathcart, Gosling etc will all get a rest from mid November. Of course I accept this does mean an even busier season either side of it, but that’s where the larger squads (quality wise I mean, I know all squads are the same size) will rise to the top. We won’t field the same side each match, three matches every eight days etc. I’m starting to like how we are appearing to have good options in reserve. I hope Gaspar plays as many matches as his legs permit as I think he will be a terrific addition, but the friendly matches have shown us we have other options too.
I am determined to detest it, both the irritating break in domestic football and the hateful tournament itself. I kind of hope this isn’t the one that England finally win.
https://theathletic.com/3415406/202...e-kamara-rob-edwards-wing-backs/?redirected=1 "There is still uncertainty on that side of the wing-back equation with no guarantee that Kiko Femenia will remain, although the plan from the top is that he will. He recently returned home to Spain to deal with a personal issue. It is known that options for the 31-year-old, whose contract expires in 2024, are being looked into. The Athletic has also learned that Watford are in the market for a homegrown right-back, although it’s unclear if that is simply as a back-up or a direct replacement." (Adam Leventhal, 20 July 2022)
