We align on 99.9% of everything as you know. But I think Dennis was turned down in the summer because he didn’t fit the profile we wanted at the time - we already had Bayo and Healey - and subsequently Rajovic seemed to be the (physical) profile Ismael wanted. I also think we probably wanted to create a base level of behaviour in the squad by stripping away poor habits etc. Then you can add players who you get a feeling can adapt… Let’s see. I’d be sceptical if we’d added a number of former players. Dennis isn’t one of them.
Where's all this Dennis was turned down in the summer stuff from? First I've heard of it. Devastating, if true.
Healy out and Dennis in. Who would even question that this is a monumental upgrade. Dennis is an absolute boss at this level and already has the backing from the stands. He really is a menace and a front 3 of Sema, Dennis and Asprilla is probably up there with the best in the league.
I read Porteous has had the most nutmegs done to him this season, so we’re still top of a nutmeg league for something.
Extremely bright man,a Classics or was it Greats man. Speaking as someone who,in my youth,was deemed a 'troublemaker' I will give him the benefit of the doubt. I wasn't,but I spoke and speak my mind on matters I have knowledge. Perhaps Dennis is the same?
He's going to murder Rajovic when he can never find him on breakaways. However, the idea of Asprilla slotting balls through to Dennis is wonderful.
Also…I believe Dennis is the first of 3 potential incomings this week. (don’t ask for names - I honestly didn’t know about Dennis! @Goldenorn is your guy here! Just told it’s likely we have 2-3 in the door)
Think this has potential to be good fun or a real nightmare. Will depend entirely on his attitude and motivation. First half of 2021-2022, he was great to watch and scored 8 by New Year's, but second half of 2021-2022, he seemed selfish, disinterested and scored two goals. So we'll have to prepare for hot and cold. That said, funny to hear all this "he'll boss it at this level" chatter. Ten league goals with Watford was a career high, and since then he's played relatively little football and scored even less. If he wasn't a former player, I think the sentiment would be very different.
Wow this is certainly one of the most wild reports we've had on here in a while. I'm going to go against the trend and say he's neither going to be amazing or shyte, just bang average. Love a bit of fence sitting me.
From the mouth of Val: https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/23863481.watford-boss-rejected-striker-represented-bayat/
Been away from this forum for a long long time again, due to lot of work I had (and still have to do), but this is some terrific news imo. One of my favourite players to watch in recent years, and I don't only mean Watford but in general. That season he had with us, especially the first half of the season was absolutely brilliant. Direct goal contributions, taking on players, tracking back and helping the defence, winning free-kicks,... Just a really fun player to watch. Hopefully this gets done quickley and he has a positive inpact, an then who knows what can happen... COYH
Christ. So he rejects one of the best strikers we've had in years in favour of two of the worst, then signs the ace one months later, with the sale of both the shyt ones very likely. What a tyt.
My take on this, seeing as he didn’t want Dennis in the summer but now does, is that he feels confident he’s got the team spirit and dressing room nailed down that he can afford to have a maverick come in, who is of superior quality and can make the difference, but he feels he can control him as he has now created a strong environment. Maybe in the summer Val thought he has a lot to do to change the culture and a divisive player like Dennis might do more harm than good at that stage, but role on to the winter and he’s a good choice to bring in.
But that's ten Premier League league goals, in one of the worst teams to grace the competition in recent seasons. We all saw what he was capable of then - it's an incredibly selective line to take reducing it purely to a contextless 'ten goals'.
Yep, not to mention most of those goals were utterly sublime and against good defences. This guy is a top tier striker. It is mental he'll be playing in this tinpot league for this tinpot club. But here we are.
