Our new leader is obviously coming in with an open mind as these players are going to be back and taking part in training on the first day after the summer break: - Battocchio; Belkalem; Dyer; McGugan & Fabrinni. This is good news in my book, as all of them might just respond to the chance Flores is giving them, and lets hope at least some of them take that chance!!!
Battochio, great. Belkalem, I say give him the benefit of the doubt to prove himself. Dyer, should be fed as a live treat to the big cats at Wooburn Safari Park. McPoogan, should be put in a space pod and fired into the sun. Fabbrini, I say give him one more season to prove he can do something with his immense talent.
Dyer - Not sold on him, think Deeney was covering him somewhat. Googoo - Don't know what to make of it. He never kicked up a fuss (If there was we would've known more about it one way or another, like we did with Andrews and Dyer) but just quietly went out on loan and came back. Fabs - Agree. Di Natale rated him as per his commets a few weeks ago about wanting him back if he leaves Watford.
Battochio looked good in the U21 game against Portugal - Italy did everything except score and he was always involved, got subbed as he ran his heart out - definitely want him back. Fabbrini - maybe 18 months in English football has toughned him up - no doubt the boy has massive talent - would give him another chance The other 3....meh, they're still contracted to us so it's only right they come back until their future is determined.
Imagine Watford will do what Udinese like to do and run a massive training camp and then cut dead wood from there At the very least it gives all the players on the periphery chance to have a one to one and express what club's plans are for them i.e keep , loan out or sell
Would like to see Fabbrini given another chance. Belkalem is an interesting one as he performed well at the World Cup. No idea what to think about CB - no reason why he shouldn't be given another chance. Not at all convinced McGugan has the consistency to perform in the Premier League. No to Dyer.
Come on guys, Fabbrini couldn't harm Championship CBs, so no way he can hurt Premier League ones. Let him go.
If Battocchio still qualifies as U21 then we don't have to worry the squad of 25. I can see McGugan staying as he's home grown and may have something to offer, as for Dyer putting aside last season's shenanigans I think he's too old to offer anything significant that we haven't got already. I would like to see Belkalem given a chance as he's played in top level Turkish football for a year after a very promising WC last year. His introduction to WFC was during Zola's desperate last weeks having only just joined the team so it would be unfair to judge him on his relatively ineffective introduction.
I forgot to include Fabbrini, given he's 24 I wouldn't like to use one of the 17 non-HG spots on him as I don't think he's better than he's previously shown.
I think there's something about Belkalem. I mean, he's played in the Europa League now, and ever since I saw him play against Germany in the World Cup I was convinced he needed a proper run in the team. I'd love to see him in and amongst the squad. I don't get why Battocchio went out on loan, or why people slate him. I genuinely think he's a good player, seemed to make quite a few appearances the last two seasons and scored some good goals. He's still young, too, and he's like a little tank. He's worth holding on to. I think his best role is as a substitute from about 70 minutes. Fabbrini is another player with whom I think there is something there. I remember seeing him in the League Cup against Stevenage last season and felt like he was a completely different player. I was amazed. I do think he needed regular games, and the loans would have done him some good as he was still playing in England. McGugan I think is a good Championship player. His loan last season will probably raise awareness about his potential availability. Sheffield Wednesday or Leeds would make a good destination, or even MK Dons. As for Dyer, I don't care what Troy said, the way he acted at that Rotherham game has essentially defined him, so early in his Watford career as well. I know it's frustrating to not be playing but the way he acted was unacceptable, and I certainly won't be falling for a sudden surge in willingness to wait for game time now we're in the Premier League. I don't care what his release fee is, pay it.
It's no coincidence that we got promoted without them. If anyone thinks any of them can add to a Premiership squad then I'd have to question their sanity.
You would have to think they are returning simply because they are contracted to us, but the intention is likely to be that they will be sold or loaned out. No harm in the new manager having a look at them before making a final decision.
Keep Batto. Have a good look at Bulkilimbs. Get Fabb out on loan or back to Udine. Sell McGoo. Sell or release Dyer.
Hate to be devils advocate here, because I do think Bottacchio is a good player and clearly a quality bloke. None of them got into our team in the Championship. Why should they get into our team in the Premier League? Belkalem being the obvious exception in the 5.
Different coaches, different systems. It might work. Adebayor started playing well (briefly) for Sherwood at Spurs. They most likely aren't good enough, but personally I think Belkalem and maybe Batto and Fabbrini have a chance to be if in the right system.
