Official #watfordfc @watfordfcsays 2 mins2 minutes ago OFFICIAL: Lewis McGugan has signed a short-term loan deal with Sheffield Wednesday. Full story: http://bit.ly/14L7CNx Woo.
Hillsborough is a big stadium so he won't kick as many balls out of the ground, which apparently was a big concern for the Pozzo's with the new East Stand.
Interesting, leaves us even weaker at CM. Toszer, Munari and Abdi have to play every match at this rate. There's no-one on the bench good enough to step in. Worrying, hopefully there's a few names planned for January otherwise this is baffling. Don't get me wrong he had his flaws but he wasn't the worst option off the bench, certainly better than Murray.
Im hoping we have an immediate recall clause, otherwise we very light. On a positive note they must be thinking that Abdi is ready to start on Saturday, otherwise we would only have 3 midfielders fit to start, in Tozer , Munari and Murray EDIT I forgot about Andrews who has actually been pretty decent
This was my concern. If Abdi isn't ready in time for Saturday, we'd have Toszer, Munari, Murray and Andrews, if we stick with the same formation. Does anyone reckon we may bring in another midfielder on loan?
Not going to get a look in with Almen fit again. If we get an injury over the Christmas period then we're down to Murray and Anya though. Would have preferred McGugan to stay but he may have wanted to go and play.
I'd be very surprised if we haven't got a move planned in the near future for another CM, considered to be a better option than McGugan.
Has started six games this season: W 3-0 Bolton L 3-0 Norwich L 1-2 Doncaster L 1-0 Charlton W 1-0 Blackpool L 2-1 Birmingham He also came on as a sub when we were 1-0 against Brighton, which we went on to draw 1-1. Some days he's a matchwinner. Others, he's practically a sending off.
Although I agree that we probably have another CM lined up for January, it is worth noting that McGugan's loan actually ends in January. We may extend it, but I would assume we're considered to be fine in midfield up until the new year, at least.
Good player in there somewhere. Maybe Angella could play as a defensive midfielder if needed. Certainly has the ability.
I thought he was useless last season. Was a metaphor for the side; complacent and unable to turn the tide when things went wrong.
The last game I saw in person was the Millwall game. The midfield trio of Andrews, Toszer and Munari all played well in parts. The forward three of Deeney, Vydra and Ighalo also played well in parts. Our play suffered massively by the huge gap between the midfield and attack (and confusion covering defensively - watch the Millwall goal for proof). The forwards were inclined to stick upfield and the midfielders are all inclined to sit (although Andrews and Munari did push on at times, this clearly isn't their nature). Without Forestieri playing and tracking back (to limited effect), the gap just widened - we were missing Abdi hugely. The introduction of McGugan would have helped - he gets up and down, he looks to play passes through (whatever some people think) and prepared to drive the space. The negative noise McGugan gets on here (purely from a performance perspective) is hugely over blown. If there is not an issue in the background that has pushed this loan move............ then I am hugely disappointed as it leaves a big hole in the formations that we seem keen to play. We are now left with hoping Almen Abdi can stay fit...
According to WO he has scored 11 in 44. From a stats perspective, that is impressive for a midfielder. My views on him are limited to very few matches and I note the generally frustrated opinions of others, noting his ability but displaying a poor attitude, lack of commitment and questionable decision making at times. Hard to see any future for him at the Vic, based on this loan move.
Quality player but doesn't work hard enough if we are going to persist with a front three. Didn't see this coming though
If a midfielders only role was to score goals, he would be a fantastic one. It is a shame that they also need to be effective, disciplined, consistent, have skill in the right areas, awareness, selfless and strong, if not physically then mentally. They cannot waste countless chances by having shot after shot, cannot just stand and watch their marker create a 2 on 1 situation, lose the balls by trying skills in the wrong areas, cannot disappear for 80 minutes each match, let players run through your area with ease, nor sulk when things are not going their way. I do think that Lewis cost us more points than he won us last season. One or two moments of skill in a game is not worth 85 minutes of nothing. If Real Madrid played with ten men for 85 minutes and then brought on Ronaldo for 5, it would turn them into, at best, a pretty average team. He is just an equivalent of Fabbrini who is used to the English game. If we gave Fabbrini 8 seasons to acclimatise, I am sure he would score at least eleven goals in one season (on the wing), but still be equally as frustrating. His impact is far too sporadic and inconsistent to build the team around him, plus we do not have the physicality or collective defensive cohesion to cope when he disappears, and that is the only way he will be a star. I am not sad to see him go.
If he's moved to Sheffield this means Lewis can live back in Nottingham where he loves the (night) lifestyle. He's clearly not been happy all season and his lacklustre performance away at Birmingham wouldn't have enamoured him to Jokanovic. In his head he is a star player and rightly would want to start every match, so this is a good move for him. Yes, we will miss his occasional brilliance at free kicks but the overall team performance will benefit from any other midlfielder who looks to pass in to better placed teammates instead of trying to score wonder goals every bloody time. To paraphrase Bob Hoskins' speech in The Long Good Friday, "I'm looking for a partner who doesn't lose their bottle, know what I mean?"
Maybe it is thought he needs games? I'm not overly pleased to see him leave, as said before I hope we have a call back clause as I would not be surprised if we were to need him sooner rather than later.
Have heard from a few people that he's not a great person to have at a club. Great when you're winning, awful when you're not. Words I've heard used with his name - Lazy, Moaner & Disruptive.
Glad to see him go on loan and hope he does very well so Wednesday want to buy him in January. For a club to be successful the squad has to be united and play for their teammates rather than themselves. Hopefully we can also shift Dyer out on loan and get in replacements that will give 100% and not be disruptive.
