Surprised at the negativity around Almunia, would be a great signing Kuszack and Foster were both heavily criticised for errors at a top 4 PL side but both were superb for us Have a bit of perspective
It was time for Loach to move on. After hitting the heights of the England squad his career has gone backwards dramatically. He is one of those players that could improve with a move to somewhere else. Dyche dropped him, and Zola doesn't seem to rate him either. That has to tell you something. I just don't think Loach wants to be at Watford anymore, it's as simple as that. I know the fans have had a large part in that. We'll have to see who Zola manages to bring in. If we get both Cudicini and Almunia, then that's a fantastic piece of business. If we only get Almunia, then I would be a little less enthusiastic. When I've seen him play he does make some basic errors and is erratic. These traits will not disappear just by dropping down a league, but he does have a lot of experience to offer. He wouldn't be my first option and I would glady take Heaton over him, but then I'm not the manager. We have to have some faith in the management team to know what they are doing.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7913248/Almunia-set-for-Watford-deal Sky Sports understands Watford are poised to sign former Arsenal goalkeeper Maunel Almunia. Almunia is available on a free transfer after leaving the Gunners this summer and Watford boss Gianfranco Zola is keen to bring him to Vicarage Road. The Spanish shot-stopper found himself down the pecking order at Emirates Stadium last season and he had a spell out on loan at West Ham. Zola is keen to bolster his goalkeeping options with Scott Loach poised to leave the club for Ipswich and he has targeted a move for the 35-year-old. Almunia is thought to have agreed a deal in principle to move to Vicarage Road and the club are hoping to finalise the move in the next 24 hours.
Yep, these are exactly the same things that people said when we signed TK. To sign a keeper from a top 4 club in this country, is a step forward in my eyes.
I can understand why some people are already getting on his back but would urge them to have some perspective. We arent an established premiership team with premiergobsh ite supporters. This guy has played at the highest level for a top 6 team and at high levels in european competitions. We are at best, on recent form, the 31st best team in the country, this is a good signing for us.
This is exactly what I was saying today. We have all seem him play for Arsenal who are a top 4 team. He will be a good signing for us.
It does not take long to work people out on here - some have natural wit / some a gift for sarcasm -and then there are people like you and Forza who contribute little of value
The way I see it, is Almunia is not as good as Kuszczak, but better than Loach. Loach has age on his side though, and potentially could get better. We still need a number two, as I don't think Bond is ready to step up as a replacement just yet, although I rate him for the long term.
But as we've seen over the past two years, he could also get worse. At least with Almunia we'd know what we were going to get - a goalkeeper who has been in the Premier League for about 8 years.
And that's exactly why we should have gone ahead with the Heaton deal. Almunia/Cudicini and Heaton battling it out for number 1 and Bond and Bonham able to go out on loan to get experience and improve.
I know Heaton would not have come to Watford unless he was assured to be number 1. He wants first team football, that's why he left Cardiff. You don't sign Cudicini or Almunia as a number 2 at a club like Watford, no matter how ambitious we are.
Then honestly I'd rather we'd signed Heaton than Almunia or Cudicini. English, very good keeper at this level, potential to improve further and more of a long term option.
You've made 29 posts. I think this is probably my 9/10th negative comment in 1000 odd posts. You really don't know how to make friends do you? Just come on here and slate people.
Tbf his name says it all. I don't think he cares about friends at this stage in life, just whether he's gonna get his daily hard-boiled sweet or not
True. There must be something wrong when someone who's called miserable, essentially calls you miserable. Hmm.
I have not seen one post of value from you yet Victor. Go on the wobbly site they will love you there.
My theory over the Almunia signing is this..Zola and Nani were at West Ham from 2008-10..during that time, Almunia was at the top of his game and was even talked about as an England international! They would have seen him at his brilliant best. Sadly, they then left West Ham and English football, around the time Almunia fell from grace, got dropped by Arsenal and eventually released. Maybe nobody's told them lol
Almunia Announcement Imminent The signing of Almunia is almost certain to be confirmed today!!! Any comments?
