Yes, Cathcart is more Cathcart horse these days, but he’s usually reliable (not withstanding his last performance). He’s a good pro to have on the books. I believe you have to have some solid senior pros at the club who are pulling for Watford. Cathcart, WTE and Cleverley fall into that category. Good squad players who are excellent around the place off the field. Every club needs this type if player and we should not undervalue them.
Define 'fine', last year he was good if not outstanding (how many games did he play? He wasn't a first choice when we really kicked into gear, and let's be honest, most teams were barely able to lay a glove on us), but now two years on, I certainly wouldn't want him as a first choice, and ideally not playing any significant number of games
Yeah he would be fine. But I want as many of our cowards out of the club even if it harms us next year so ship them all out I say. I absolutely detest 80% of our squad, Cathcart included.
Don't think that's nailed on at all. He's massively in decline at this point and almost 34. There's every chance he's not even going to be capable of replicating the level of performance from the 20/21 season in 22/23.
We should make sure we build the team around Craig’s numerous strengths. Granted, it’s not immediately obvious what Craig’s strengths are, but nevertheless we should mould the team around Craig
I wouldn't want to be too blasé, as he won't be part of a team which can win promotion in second gear with Premier League quality players in the team already, and he'll be two years older than he was last time
Hasn't retired yet from international football but seemingly made himself unavailable for the last couple of squads now. Playing in one depressing team is enough for anyone it seems.
I don't know if this is good or bad but we look twice the team with Cathcart in the defence at the moment. Superb today, controlled aggression and good reading of the game. Their strikers are pretty decent but he did a great job handling them, as did WTE.
I was worried because neither Cathcart nor WTE are the most aerially dominant, I thought they might get joy out of them like Millwall did, but they were both fantastic today!
Rested against them rather than an injury wasn't it? Despite the embarrassment midweek, I think we can say the gamble paid off!
Fit and in decent form for a consistent period of time. Maybe earned an extra year particularly if we stay down as a back up option . Probably won’t get one then . https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/w...rt-call-despite-new-january-signings-opinion/ But other injured players might.
He's already 34. You really still want him as a member of the squad when he's 36?? He's been a good servant but should be replaceable.
No, no we absolutely should ******* not give 34 year old Craig Cathcart yet ANOTHER contract. Move on. Cleverley as well.
Actually saw people claiming he's a genuine club legend yesterday. GT, Blissett, Gibbs, Jenkins... Cathcart. Our fans are so deluded and thick it's painful.
Absolutely. Having had the pleasure of seeing Blissett, Gibbs and Jenkins play, I struggle to think of anyone from the last 10 years I would mention in the same breath. EDIT: That'll put the cat amoungst the pigeons.
Say what you like about him, but he's probably been our best CB this season, might not get into the team regularly now with the new signings, but I wouldn't mind giving him another year if we stay down, especially if he's just a backup. Cleverley is probably ready for the glue factory though
My point is he is currently holding down a first team spot on merit and IMO he will be more than good enough to at least be a valuable squad member for at least two more seasons. Therefore he would be a decent punt, especially as he will be out of contract this Summer and we would have pay out good money to fill his boots anyway and I think there will be a fair bit of interest in him as a free agent, hence a two year contract to convince him to stay.
Definitely not a club legend, simply not good enough to be in that bracket. Whatever the next step down is, he can probably justify a place there. Cult hero? 250 apps, couple important goals, 2 promotions, few PL seasons and present for some wins that will be looked back on decades from now. Splits opinion as to his actual ability level, but there's not many in the modern day that can match his CV at the club.
Absolutely sh*te in the Premier League at this point and just passable in the Championship, but no doubt only going to decline due to age. He's only been our best centre back this season because A. The entire defence is mostly awful and B. Most of them are injured every other week. He's been a fairly solid 6/10 this season, not much more. If we have any ambition whatsoever to grow, move forward as a club and finally stop repeating the same mistakes over and over again - and maybe become a Premier League club again - then giving Cathcart a two year deal at 34 is the sort of absolute idiocy/lunacy we should be steering well clear of. It is high time to move on from the likes of Cathcart, Cleverley and Kabasele, just like it was Foster, Deeney etc.
I don't think he warrants that, either. An overall decent, loyal, inoffensive servant to the club who will be remembered somewhat fondly by most but, despite his positive enough performances this season (although he's still had his share of clangers and subpar outings, and is now horrendously slow), he's another one who has overstayed his welcome from a footballing perspective in my opinion and who should have been moved on a while ago. Don't think his ability level nor his performances since about 2018/2019 warrant any sort of "hero" status.
Not disagreeing at all that we need to look for younger players but let’s hope we replace them better than we have Deeney and Foster !
If (when) we don't go up could see him getting a one year extension. Which would be fine if it was a genuine 4th/5th choice cover for a handful of games next season. But we all know he'd be Mariappa'd and suddenly find himself being played most weeks. Think the injuries mean we'll finally wave goodbye to Cleverley and Gosling regardless of the division we're in.
What is the definition of a club legend? Agreed that Cathcart doesn't make the cut, but would someone like Mapps or Doyley in more recent times make it? I'd say yes to Doyley, probably no to Mapps despite his long service to the club
Why Doyley but not Mariappa? I don't think either should be classed as legends but good servants to the club? Absolutely yes. Legends in my time would be Blissett obviously, Gibbs, Porter and probably Deeney
