Podcast Chat

Wasn't sure where to put this, so thought maybe it's a good idea to start a thread with all the podcast discussions on it.

Last night was an epic Sunday Service, hosted by Uncle Ron. It was very good as Andrew French took part and spoke for about an hour.

From memory here are some of his highlights:-

Agrees that Kalu doesn't look 24

Penaranda is nowhere near Watford right now

He knows that Pedro has torn his calf. That's a fact and will be out for 2/3 weeks. Pedro wanted to play on Saturday but the club decided to send him for a scan on Friday which showed the tear in the calf muscle. Sarr and Pedro are not pushing for a move. Pedro, as of last night, hasn't even spoken directly to Newcastle. They both still want to play for Watford but will move if they are advised it's the best thing for their career. Dennis on the other hand would have "kicked the door down" had he not got a move.

So far AF could have written a story about Sarr going to Newcastle in June for £25m plus 15% sell-on and a player exchange, then he could have written about him going to West Ham and finally just before he went on holiday could have written about Sarr going to France to meet up with Patrick Vieira about signing for Palace. They were all "done deals" but he held off because instinct told him too and he's glad he did as none of that happened. He states, when he writes something it won't be an exclusive. It will be coming from fact, but with a lot of the meat on the bone.

The stories of Sarr having a medical at Villa are untrue. He has not had one. The story that a fee has been agreed with Villa is untrue. "The deal, should it happen, is not a straightforward one. Sometimes you get a deal when it's cash for a player, sometimes it cash plus a player, sometimes it cash and more than one player." "It's not a straight cash deal".

Pedro is the only player who didn't have a relegation salary reduction. He's now the highest earner at the club. Sarr did have a reduction.

The money we've made to date on transfer fees is nowhere near £60m. May not even be as much as £40m.

The reason Cucho was sold was because he wanted to go. He didn't kick up a big fuss, but made it clear he would be actively looking for a move. It's nothing to do with being nearer to Columbia. The "rule of 11" wasn't even mentioned. They accepted the deal because it was at the start of the window, in the close season, and Watford needed the money.

There's been a change in approach, in terms of how the club communicate. They are trying to be a lot more open. SD is happy to talk to AF once a fortnight.

Question was asked about dealing with Mogi Bayat. AF said the answer was a bit flaky, he got the impression that the arrangement is not going to change, but it's very much how Gino wants to do it. AF said there were people at the club who are also very uncomfortable with working with Bayat and feel there could be reputational damage somewhere along the line. Bayat's hearing is in February and there could potentially some blowback on us after that, but there is no suggestion of any impropriety as far as Watford are concerned. Just reputational damage by association.

Talked a little about the Luther Blissett issues but didn't want to go into it at this stage. He will do a piece once the situation has been resolved if it's amicable or whether Luther and the club part ways.

On Ethen Laird, he said he was sat with SD on the day the news broke that Laird was having a medical. It was totally untrue. He wasn't at Watford and there was no medical planned.

He's been told he will get a chance to speak to Gino, but there's no firm date on that.

The next interview with SD not expected until the window has closed. He does challenge answers. Example was over the defence. SD said we had a really good defence. AF said we've needed to improve the defence for the last 5 years. SD didn't agree.

After the transfer window, AF will hold SD to account on promises made and will ask if these were not carried out.

 

Thanks very much, really interesting stuff. It also means we get the good AF info without having to put up with the Uncle Ron caricature (not a fan of him, whoever he is).

 

A journalist who is willing to hold power to account? A very rare breed.

 

Personally I think Andrew French is great. He's found himself to be the right guy at the right time. The club trust him first and foremost. They know he will be honest but will not put a spin on things or manipulate the truth. He was around at the time SD decided the club needs to connect to its fanbase, so for Andrew French, it was a perfect storm.

 

Also lol at:

"SD said we had a really good defence. AF said we've needed to improve the defence for the last 5 years. SD didn't agree."

Good to see the people who make the big decisions know what they are talking about.

 

“Dennis on the other hand would have "kicked the door down" had he not got a move.”

This bit can’t be right, when I said of all players at the club it’s impossible to say “Dennis doesn’t seem like the type to down tools” lots of forum ITKs told me he looked happy during a training session, and therefore this would never happen.

 

Thanks for posting

 

Very detailed summary. Uncle Ron will love you! No need to listen to his podcast now.

 

I gave him the benefit of the doubt when these rumours circulated. Ultimately, people can only judge based on physical evidence.

Just reinforces the notion that selling Dennis was a good move.

 

Fantastic insight, well done Mr Andrew French - certainly our best signing this season.

Glad to hear that neither Sarr or Pedro are pushing for moves, they’re exactly the sort of characters we need at this club, not just because they’re our two best players, but because they seemingly like to be here. Praying we can keep hold of them [both ideally] , at least until January.

Scott Duxbury defending our lack of investment in our defence for the past 5 seasons because it is ‘good enough’ is laughable. Did he do that with a straight face? Should be sacked on the spot for even suggesting it.

 

In regards to Laird, I know people who work at Utd and you ll laugh at the incompetence of this but this is the reality behind the scenes at billion dollar businesses like football clubs.

We sent an email enquiring after Laird and it sat in someones inbox at Utd for 8 days ( maybe someone was on holiday) before they got round to responding. When they did Giaretta said we were no longer interested and had moved on . Im assuming that in this time we must have then signed Gaspar and so either no longer needed/couldnt afford/or couldnt promise game time to Laird but that is only my interpretation. I cant say for fact the reason why.

 

The thing is I never said he would do the above either, I just responded to someone who said he doesn’t seem the type to down tools, by saying how on earth can you make that call, which I think is a fair comment because I don’t know how anybody could say that about Dennis with his history. As it turns out it seems that if he hadn’t have got his move then he would’ve kicked off.

 

Ultimately the majority of what we do is speculate. It's a shame (and this isn't aimed at anyone on here, more a general point) more people aren't willing to be adults and admit when they were wrong about something.

 

It probably went to 'junk'.

 

If we do go up this year we'll be ****ed and immediately sent back down with this level of insight. What part of our defense is 'really good' exactly? Kamara is alright I suppose, Sierralta couldn't even get a game in that **** last year ffs

 

Great summary HB1. Thanks for taking the time to share.

 

Taking any notes Jon ? You, see that's how it's done .

 

Did they not think to call to follow-up?

 

Do you honestly believe an e-mail sat in someones tray for 8 days?
Has he an agent?
Initially it would be the agent and his job is to get what his client wants.
Sorry I'm really struggling to believe any part of your post.

 

Are you saying this proves he was the type to 'down tools' because he'd just kick the door in instead?

 

Makes no sense at all. If you've just kicked a door down, you're gonna need those tools.

 

Dennis is just a man full of contradictions.

 

Dont believe it. I really dont care.

But youd be surprised just how inefficiently run many clubs are behind the scenes when compared with similar size institutions in the business world.

 

Never gets old.

 

No he's not.

 

My god, Uncle Ron is hard work.

 

Where can I listen to this, please?

 

Thanks for this summary, very interesting.

Two add my (probably not very interesting) two pence about Andrew French. I think it's great he's involved again and he does seem to go about things the right way. I actually had a brief email correspondence with him back in about 2000 or 2001 when he was working for the club. I'd asked a question about why the club wasn't open about injuries or something (maybe nothing changes eh?), and he got back to me with a response from him and indirectly GT. Always appreciated that.

 

If you search Twitter for 'Uncle Ron' it's available as a recording on Twitter Spaces

 

Thanks. I barely know what Twitter is (let alone Twitter Spaces), but I’ll have a go.

 

We’ll never make progress with this mindset. We’re going to give Cathcart and Kabasele more extensions aren’t we?

 

You really dont need to listen to it as HB has dispensed all the relevant information without having to listen to Uncle Ron.

 

Thanks for doing this, saves me ever having to listen to one.