Let's face it we have the kind of team that gets sand kicked in its face. Just maybe some of that Aussie sports mentality will rub off on them. No one's gonna kick sand in Lucas Neill's face.
This is quite an interesting read:- http://worldfootballweekly.com/2014/02/25/loathing-lucas-watfords-new-signing-hated-back-home/
Reportedly said "I was humble enough to come down and train here for a week" Oh great, from the sounds of it, a super ego.
"Humble" is probably Aussie for "desperate". They have a very different language to us - "English gentleman" is spelt "Pommie *******".
Interested to see how this one pans out, although I do agree with Squibba that it may just be Nani helping out Neill due to knowing each other from their West Ham days.
If this is remotely true then Nani should be removed immediately. I hope he does well but I still think it's an odd signing when Hoban and Belkalem seem to be fit again. I wonder how much say Sannino had on this and if he asked for an experienced defender?
You'd assume Sannino gave it the go-ahead as he's seen him train for a week and must have impressed. Unless Nani has just signed him regardless which I wouldn't be surprised at. Not against the signing but I don't want it to be at the expense of Hoban, is it worth him going out on loan until the end of the season and come back to nail down a starting place next season?
No. Hoban has already shown that he can come back into the side and do a great job. There is no need to loan him out.
I think the reactions on this thread are laughable. When the Pozzos took over we were told by Sherlock and others that this is their model. Pick up players from the four corners of the globe for nothing or next to nothing, develop them into top players and then sell them on at top prices to Europe's giants. We've not paid a fee for Neil and will be putting him in the shop window to sell him in the summer. Get used to it and don't get too attached to him. The Pozzos will soon replace him via the best scouting network in the world.
I wouldn't be too surprised. Ferguson signed Bebe to help out Quieroz, ok that is a lot lot lot more major but like favours in football happen all the time. Nani's track record of signings at West Ham is horrible, I'm convinced he's the problem.
Almunia and Deeney have both publicly criticised attitudes within the squad. Since they remain captain and vice-captain, we can assume that the club supports these statements or least acquiesces to them. Therefore, they're probably right. The best argument for bringing Neill in is that he'll do all the fist-pumping needed. That's OK, but I get the impression that (1) he's a rather divisive character and (2) that he's not a very good footballer. So maybe right diagnosis, wrong remedy.
He's been bought in to give the foreign fairies with their gutless foreign surrender-to-the-first-Gerry-that-drives-a-VW-up-the-High-Strass wimp attitudes a kick up the Sheila "ooh its too wet to run, I need to wear 3 jumpers, 2 coats, a bobble hat and then no one will recognise my selfies ooh" - and that's just the coaching staff. Grrrrr.
Yeah. Two transfer windows ago. It's so late now with the playoffs a near impossibility as to be a pointless signing.
I know. Even if he is a **** signing, then so what, just means he doesnt play. I guess the dinner ladies maybe put out as they got to cater for one more. Cant see him getting more than a bit of pocket money as a basic, will be on a pay per play deal, so works for Watford either way
Can people really not see how this is a good move. It is clear as daylight that we have no leadership and that we could really do with some big characters in the dressing room. Lucas Neill is Australias captain and has a lot of experience in the English game.
To lead us where? Our season is over so it seems to me Mr Neill will be getting a lot more from the deal than we will, particularly as he's likely to block Hoban's return.
And immediately gets dropped from the Aussie squad http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/feb/26/lucas-neill-socceroos-squad-ecuador?CMP=twt_gu
My Aussie friend in Melbourne is equally bemused by our latest signing. This is what the Australian press is saying: http://www.theage.com.au/sport/socc...turn-for-ecuador-friendly-20140225-33f8x.html
Lucas Neill - why? Remember Matt Jackson. Same sort of signing. **** and past it. We got a slating in the mail over this from Adrian Durham. I think I actually agree with him.
The same Adrian Durham who was one of our biggest critics last season, renaming us Loanford. Hardly a surprise. For older fans, I give you Pat Rice. Another apparent over-the-hill and past it defender. Who became one of the most integral and important players in the entire team. Probably the best captain we ever had. So why not give this guy a chance, see how he plays and make some observations then.
Is it? I thought it finished at the start of May? He has been bought in to add a bit of fight and passion and hopefully this rubs off on the players. Not going to impede Hoban as he won't be rushed in to playing too much this season anyway. I suspect the manager and at least some of the players haven't given up yet unlike our support
I would agree that if Neill turns out to be OK, a lot of us will have egg on our faces. Nobody can ever be sure, but I can't believe there aren't players who are more talented and have more left in the tank who could do an equal geeing-up job. Maybe even a midfielder, where our need is greater. And Neill failed a trial at Blackburn recently. This could be Nani's suicide signing, an equivalent of dropping Shearer or subbing Lineker. Or it could be another of Nani's master-strokes, like Tozser and, er, .....
