It seems equally possible that we are looking to recruit another left back because Ivic actively wants to revert to one of his favoured four-at-the-back formations and sees Sema's worth at this level as a winger/attacker and certainly not as a left back.
Still makes me sad thinking about how good he could have been. Easy to forget how promising he was and the performances he put in. Injuries utterly ruined his potential.
Apparently he is out of contract in 2021, so there probably is every chance he will go if we can find a taker. However, if we don't I think the club will probably offer him a new contract extension of a year or two, just so we don't lose him for nothing at the end of the season.
Also if we keep Sarr itd b mental not to play 433 especially as we can play King Ken or JP on the other side.
As much as I don't want him to go now, I'd be fine with him leaving for free in the summer. Would be so typically Pozzo to try and tie him down to a new deal, and it would be even more typically Pozzo for us to not find a buyer when his time here is up
At least he's now getting his career going. Contract to the end of the season at Aberdeen and has been starting for them. Just got to stay fit now.
Has played a few games in Europe, which is nice for him. So has one Sean Murray, now of Dundalk, who are in Arsenal's group in the Europa League...
https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/18793074.kiko-femenia-keen-leave-watford-deadline/ Watford Observer claim he still wants to leave - and oddly suggests we won't be signing a LB unless more players leave. Such a bizarre squad composition we have - still plenty of strikers but zero depth in other areas. Its totally unbalanced. And it certainly doesn't have the strength in depth that Ivic said he wants. He's publicly said he wants more players (we've lost players since) so you'd have to think he won't be happy if no others arrive but more are sold.
Are you telling me that or is that your response to the article? In either case, then Ivic would know that - yet still has said more than once he wants more players and instead is seeing more sold on with none as yet brought in since he last said it. So if we have no money to bring players in, sounds like he's been hoodwinked.
I read that as we will sign a LB if Kiko leaves, otherwise Kiko is the LB. Seems quite logical to my monotreme brain.
As for Kiko himself, although I think he would be useful for the squad, I don't see him as a regular starter, and if he is thinking the same you can't really blame him wanting to move for regular 1st team football. Having said all that I hope he stays because he is such a versatile player who can provide backup in a few positions, whether he would be happy as a backup is another thing though.
Both. I really don't think the analysis of 'squad composition' need go much deeper than that is all. As for Ivic, I'm sure he knows full well we need to sell to buy. We've not been able to sell - Welbeck free transfer, Dawson loan being the latest examples of the massively depressed transfer market not delivering what we probably could have got any other year - and so I can't see many coming in from the wish list.
Not at all. We all know that Ivic is fully involved with Gino and the team regarding the makeup of the squad. He didn't want Suarez remember, didn't rate him at all, despite his words to the website and in press conferences so we got rid. Same with Estupinan. He doesn't want players that aren't committed and love the club top to bottom (unless they are Capoue or Kiko) and this is reflected in both our squad depth and transfer activities. Ivic is getting what he wants as a squad. We have plenty of money to sign quality players following our transfer dealings and even if we don't sign anyone, we'll win the league by a good distance as things stand.
I don't disagree. But you can't deny that what Ivic is saying isn't marrying up with what is happening so far?
I doubt there is any inconsistency bearing in mind that english isn't his first language so he won't be aware of the various nuances behind phrases. I'm sure he would want new signings but appreciates that if Deeney, Capoue, Femenia can't be moved on then they take the place of proposed new signings. Of course he will praise Suarez while he's in the squad and then say he didn't need him once he's sold. What else were you expecting ?
Not sure why you're asking me that as it's not something I've even referenced? As for the rest of your post...this is what Ivic said on 4th Oct (we've lost players since then)... "It's a better situation for a coach when he has more players to choose from," explained Ivic. "In central defence we have five or six good players who can play and give us what we want. It's why you want to have good, healthy competition. "You want the defenders to be fighting for their positions and all of us expect this. In the central defender position I think we are complete. "We need [players in] other positions to join the others and create competition in those positions. But not just for competition, but because of the games we have. "When we return after the international break, we have seven games in 20/21 days. In these seven games you need a squad of 18-20 players able to play and ready to give their maximum every day. "We are looking for two positions and I expect to have them as fast as possible." I don't think any of that is lost in translation due to English not being his first language?! I'm not trying to be critical as obviously we have circumstances to work within. But I don't think anything I'm saying is wrong per se?
Ngakia/Femenia RB Sema/Masina (back next month)/Femenia LB Navarro (back ???)/Stevenson/Cathcart/Sierralta emergency options
The first part fair enough - the emergency options are horrific though, surely that can't be denied? Plus, if true...we are being told that Femenia and Masina want to leave and Ivic has been clear on players like that. If they stay, then we have depth I agree. But as I said, wouldn't take a large injury crisis to leave us in a bit of a state.
They are, but would you expect to see much better as emergency options at this level? For Stevenson to make an appearance we'd need at least 3 wing-back injuries all at the same time. Not beyond the realms of possibility, especially with our record, but unlikely. Can't see where Kiko's options are to leave now to be honest, and no-one will pick up an injured Masina. May have to revisit in January, mind.
True. Probably best they didn’t blow 7k per week on Glenn Murray if funds are so tight though when we have bundles of forwards, plus Deeney when he is thin enough to play.
Worth noting that Sema isn’t a LB and is a newcomer to LWB. Not having a fit LB mean Yes we have a couple of names back there. But it’s nowhere near a solid unit of full-backs or wing-backs.
Yep. Although worth noting this was said before Dawson left too. (I'm not counting Janmaat, Welbeck or those that left on D/Day as I doubt they were part of Ivic's thinking.)
Yup, more woeful business that. Although if that's all we're paying it's not a massive drain on the budget. Well obviously not as it's a loan. Or is that the point you're making?
My guess is we were looking for players to replace those he had assumed were leaving Capoue, Deeney maybe Femenia so if we didn't sell them, they would be his additional players instead of new signings. I expect the players we've lost are players he knew we would lose (Welbeck, Penaranda (like a new signing). If Femenia goes he would expect to get a LB in but other than that I think the squad looks pretty complete.
The quote I gave was given the day before the last window closed - I'd be surprised if he said what he did thinking all those players are leaving. He even said he wanted more in midfield when Capoue was announced as staying. While you could be right, I'd be more inclined to take what Ivic said as what he meant - he wants new signings and not try to bend my mind too much into thinking he meant something else. If he meant what you think he did, he could have easily said as much - new signings will be dictated by who leaves...he's no fool and is quite fluent in English. I doubt it was lost in translation. My personal opinion is that the squad still needs a few faces to look complete. LB, No,10 and another wide player look short in numbers. RB looks short if Femenia leaves.
