That's not to bad. Hall, Elkstrund, Foristieri should now be a roaring success with Batocchi going back in January! Nice to see my post was taken in jest as it was meant to be!
http://www.plazadeportiva.com/ver/8085/almunia-el-valencia-seria-una-gran-opcion-para-mi.html Interesting.
So if Almunia don't stay and Bond don't sign a new contract, with Bonham already gone!! Looks like Harry the Hornet between the sticks.
I'd be gutted if Almunia were to go. Technically, he already has. Would he be willing to accept the number 2 role at Watford and help Bond progress, if he signs that is.
Why would he do that? If we offered him a new contract given our league status and his performances last year it would be an insult to him to make it on the basis of him being sub goalie. And why would that be desirable for us anyway? Bond isn't anywhere near ready and if we put him in the first team too soon he's just another Loach in the making. In fact the similarities between the two - including fan opinions on them at the same stages of their careers - are startling.
I'm not saying chuck Bond in straight away, and a number 2 role is probably well off but if you start to give Bond more game time, with Almunia sitting on the bench, he'll definitely progress. If things go **** up then we've got a decent back-up sat on the bench. Loach had his moments but Bond is definitely a better shot stopper currently.
Well those reports don't look too promising. Losing Almunia would be a massive loss, the way he vocally organised the team from the back and instilled confidence in the team will be extremely hard to replace. Notwithstanding the fact he's a fantastic keeper at this level as well.
Yes indeed, and there's a knock-on effect on Bond. Perfect for Bond to be no. 2 to a good keeper at the end of his career, possibly taking over in a year's time. But if Watford sign a younger first-choice keeper, Bond could well be off.
I agree it would be dissapointing but it would not be a disaster. There are plenty of goalkeepers around who are as good as Almunia. Personally I think Bond should be given a chance assuming he renews his contract, although I accept it would be a bit of a gamble.
Agreed there's plenty of keepers about. Whether it's a season or 2 stop gap waiting for bond to mature like Schwazer or Given or a bargain and a punt in Craig Gordon I don't see the keeper being a problem. We ll be up the other end any way. .... Although none of these names end in a vowel or are Italian I ve done some digging and I ve found a perfect fit and is on a free. .. He's called Massimo Taibi.... and he played for Man U.
