Hmmm. I don't agree. I agree we probably need(ed) to raise finance from sales but I think it was cheap and I think we should have stood firm and waited to see how the window plays out. But I'm happy to disagree about it!
Because on 22 July Adam Leventhal posted this: "Watford have also been looking to bring in a homegrown right-back and have held talks with free agent Cyrus Christie, formerly of Fulham and was on loan at Swansea last season, however the Gaspar signing, if completed, is expected to take priority." https://theathletic.com/live-blogs/transfer-news-live-updates/voIMrgUopvsC/
Think Kt's pretty clear that Gaspar is coming in as RWB as the direct Kiko replacement. Giaretta has pretty much confirmed that. Ngakia and Kamara will be the rotational/backup options there. Really doubt we are still looking for another homegrown option now.
I did also read this comment on the transfer blog, but I was trying to identify the original quote for you. The two comments are not necessarily contradictory - even though the second quote was two days later. The Gaspar signing appears to be the priority, but Watford may still try to sign a home grown right-back as back-up because Edwards could be left short of options at left-wing back if Kamara has to also cover the right-wing back position. Edwards has seemed reluctant to use Ngakia.
So again Edwards is not being backed imo. He wanted and stated a HG wingback but got a Spaniard. As LR stated we're overstocked with NHG and it's going to be massively problematic for Edward's to keep them happy.
What has happened to the 'rule of 11' and Rob Edward's request to sign more home-grown players if that is the case?
The comment from the 20th isn't really "the original quote" - it just appears that it was what Leventhal thought on the 20th, but then by the 22nd his thinking had evolved and he had either considered or heard that we would not still be wanting to sign a HG rwb with Gaspar close to joining.
It's predictably been ignored by the club. He'll get what he's given, just like every head coach for the last decade.
Has Edwards stated he wants a HG wingback? Or are people just assuming that because of what Leventhal wrote? Genuine question.
Edwards has already said it’s unlikely we will sign many players. Really can’t see us signing another RWB on that basis unless Ngakia moves. Doubt it’s an area the club are currently concerned about.
Don’t see us bringing in any other players, unless someone leaves e.g Dennis or Sarr. We currently have 4 forwards, which is enough (5 if you include Sarr). Clearly if Samir leaves we will need to replace. Don’t think we have the finances to try and preempt who may leave, and bring in replacements in advance of departures.
Leventhal wrote that "the Gaspar signing, if completed, is expected to take priority." I did not think that Leventhal was necessarily suggesting that Watford would not also want to sign a home-grown right-wing back with Gaspar close to joining, but I may be wrong and perhaps Leventhal's thinking has evolved. His comment on 20 July was that it was unclear if a HG right-wing back was simply as a back-up (presumably for Femenia) or a direct replacement. It is very concerning that the club appear to be ignoring Edward's request if you, Burnsy and davisp2 are correct. "The Hornets boss would rather have more homegrown and, ideally, younger players in his squad" (Andrew French, Watford Observer, 21 June 2022). There is a danger that the squad will have too many NHG players and that Edwards will be forced to leave out some of these players (whom he would prefer to include) from his match day squads due to the 'Rule of 11' - as you have pointed out in the '2022-2023 Squad' thread. Their omission could lead to player discontent. Carpster mentioned that "we're overstocked with NHG and it's going to be massively problematic for Edward's to keep them happy". Edwards "wanted to avoid players missing out as that could clearly have a negative impact on morale" (Andrew French, Watford Observer, 21 June 2022).
That Leventhal quote on the 22nd to me reads as if signing Gaspar would be instead of an HG rwb - i.e. if the club can sign Gaspar then doing so would "take priority" over the possibility of instead signing an HG rwb like Christie, as the club would prefer Gaspar. That our postential signing of Gaspar seems to be progressing is likely what would have been behind the change in Leventhal's comments from the 20th to the 22nd.
Having his medical now according to Leventhal, so should give him time to be ready for Sheff Utd next week I'd suspect.
Would be pretty quick to throw him straight in having missed all Edward's training sessions and without a proper assessment of his match day fitness for bombing up and down the wing?
I posted similar in the Samir thread, but as it's about Gaspar I'll add it here as well: Having watched some of his highlights of last season (though there weren't many available I could find, mind), I'd be a bit concerned if he's the RCB. He seems to have a decent cross on him, but be a complete coward defensively - yes even more than Kiko. So many of the goals and key chances I saw Villareal concede with him on the pitch had him only casually waddling over to close down his man, usually arriving much too late, and/or turning his back on shots and bottling challenges. It was up against more difficult opposition then we'll be facing next season, but he doesn't appear to have been covering himself in glory for Villareal this year. The concerns as to whether he has enough energy to be our RWB in a long Champ season also seem valid though.
They'll have plenty of time to assess his fitness. He might be a week behind on his pre-season schedule coming from Villareal, but should surely have enough for 60 minutes at least, unless he's had any other issues. As for Edwards' tactics, I'm sure the guy knows how to play WB. Manaj also played a full half vs Saints following only a few days with the squad.
He strikes the ball really well. Doesn’t score many goals but they are all incredibly clean long range strikes.
If we get 30 games out of him this season, it’s a good deal. There’s usually some rotation in the wing-back positions, due to the intensity of playing that role. If you look at Spurs this season, they seem to have about 5 on their books now with Perisic joining them. Chelsea aren’t short of numbers there either.
Think RWB is Hungbo, Kamara and Ngakia for preference there. Ngakia does not suit the needs of the position at all.
Yes but manaj debuted in a meaningless friendly so Edwards could have a look at him. I'd surprised if without seeing him play, Edwards throws him straight into the first home game of the season against an expected promotion rival.
