[SIGNED perm] Francisco Sierralta

You mean Neutron, mate.

 

The final piece of the league 1 jigsaw.

 

I’m going to laugh at everyone writing him off before they have even seen him play for us, when he becomes our best CB and first name on the team sheet.

 

I can't be bothered to say his surname or learn it so I'm just going to call him Sam.

 

Let's be honest he hasn't got the greatest of competition to be the best centre back.

 

I know, but he did just play for Chile less than a year ago in a 3-2 win over Guinea. Played the full 90. So the fact that he was recently called up to the Chilean squad, tells me there is something there that perhaps we are writing off.

He could be a flop, but there is obviously something about him to be called up to international duty. If he is given a run of games, I wouldn’t be surprised one bit if all of sudden people’s tune changes. It may well be that he has struggled in Italy because of the style of play. Maybe the quick tempo, hard hitting English football leagues is more his style. Who knows, but what I do know, it’s ridiculous to write off a 23 yr old Chilean international (albeit 2 games), who just might prove to be a shrewd piece of business. Also he’s 6’4, so that has to help us at set pieces at least.

 

Conceding late goals and not being able to defend leads has been a hallmark of supporting Watford for me for as long as I can remember, not just last season sadly.

 

Not when my Nan can put a better delivery into the box than anyone in our squad based on last season.

 

What I'm seeing you telling me is that he allowed Guinea to score two goals.

 

Big Sam?

 

it’s important we respect our history as club and keep traditions going.

 

Well happy with this signing. Looks a total baller.

 

Was on Reddit and asked about Wilmot. Got good answers for what they think of him:

"He's surprisingly weak in the air, and his longer passing was a bit erratic. And that's about all the negatives. He's smart, quick and composed, has the right mentality and aggression, should be one of your starting defenders next season (or, loan him back). He'll still have the occasional off-game, but that was one in ever 3 or 4 matches for us and those ratios will get better with more experience..."

"You look at him and expect him to dominate high balls, but he just doesn't. He seems to struggle a bit when he's challenged on them, so I think it's an issue that just needs more training and practice. Maybe he didn't spend that much time on it coming up because he was in midfield more?"

"On his longer passing, I'd have liked to see him a bit more with the way we set up in the last few games of the season, it's a bit harsh to judge because we usually didn't have great targets to aim for (Just Borja a lot of the time), I think the added running when we played Gallagher behind Brewster and Ayew would have suited him."

"Speed: He's not going to be flying all over the pitch, but he's got a very good burst of pace that defenders need these days."

"I think you'll be very happy with him, he's still developing but he's already playing at a great level."

 

REDD-IT! REDD-IT! REDD-IT!

 

Just to clarify, as I'm sure Powerjugs already knows, that post was entirely serious and genuinely not a pisstake. Reddit is sick.

 

The sort of signing that will hopefully be a reality check to our fans who rather bizarrely expected our budget and focus on defenders to increase now we’re a league lower.

 

You've got me there. I honestly thought centrally would be seriously looked at. But with two fullbacks coming in I'm slightly less worried. Still believe Kabs will move on and somebody like Ben Gibson will come in on a loan to permanent. But what do I know.

 

I do actually think there is a chance we end up with a better defence through luck rather than judgement though, by virtue of being a league lower they’re not necessarily playing it as safe and a couple of them could end up being better than what we have already.

 

Just checked his FM stats. He's been labelled as the next Chey Dunkley

 

I heard he was the poor man’s Chey Dunkley

 

Show sum respekt plz. His are future

 

I'm happy to take that risk.

 

I know it's the wrong thread, but I'm quite surprised we were never linked with Charlie Goode from Northampton (signed for Brentford the other day). He was their captain and the stats show he was one of the best defenders in League Two. Local boy as well.

 

Because it looks like they're getting two full international centre backs for zero outlay.

 

He was discussed in the transfer suggestions thread. Personally I think he looks a bit lethargic, and it's also a decent sized step from League Two to Champ.

 

Being reported now that he’s been on trial and not signed anything yet.

 

That is what they said on the coverage at the weekend. I guess they are still deciding who to bring in on loan / permanently.

He looked like a fit Seb Probl in the limited game time we have seen so he could be okay against some of the hoofball sides.

 

Lol a ringing endorsement of his ability.

Basically he’s been here a week, seen that he’s crap and we’re hoping to sign better, but if we can’t, he’ll can stay and fill the Molla Wague-sized hole in our squad.

 

Looked fine when he came, certainly no worse than Dawson

I imagine we’re waiting to see if we want to use up a loan spot or sign him for the season

 

Loan, free transfer what's the difference?

 

Similar deal to Perica incoming?

 

Restricted number of loans

 

Concerned about the standard of player we're bringing in tbh. Obviously we were always going to get a downgrade in player ability, but like to think we could have done better tbh. They're not making Ivic's life easy so far.

 

I share the same concerns and am hopeful of two things - firstly that the quality of names linked improves as the window progresses. Still got a month to go. And secondly, and this is entirely wishful thinking - that the finances aren’t as scary as we believe or that we have had an injection of money and we don’t actually have to lose as many players as we fear. But I know that’s just not true sadly!

To be quite honest, if we can add a quality CM and a quality CB, I’d feel so much more reassured.