Based off Frenchy’s tweets of “1 or 2” more signings. A Quality CM is a must. The second signing must be a winger or LB in my opinion. I doubt we will sign a GK, but I also wouldn’t be surprised. Frenchy has also said “1 or 2” will leave. Bayo out on loan is something he tweeted about, so that’s one. Could then be any of; Manaj, TDB, Bacuna, Okoye or Kalu as the other “one.”
Chalobah, O'Brien, both being actively offered out and available. Will Hughes likely to become available before the window closes too. If Bilic is as desperate for a Championship ready midfielder as he suggests then we'd be mental to go non - HG. (Not saying Chalobah would be a good signing - but the other two are no brainers). I still can't help but think we desperately need a left back if we're going to make play-offs.
Hughes would have to be truly desperate to come back into this clown show that he did so well to escape.
I get the impression he was receptive pre-window opening. Of course he's got a fair bit bit of game time since then but another midfielder coming in hopefully will change that.
Trouble is Hughes or O’Brien will be available at £5m+ or on loan. Our loan quota is a little too tight to make the latter desirable and the former is too dear for us and the entire division.
Apparently Forest what a clause that any club pay 10 million for O’Brien in the summer . https://mobile.twitter.com/FootballLeagueW/status/1620029723425509376
Get O'Brien on loan. Then send Kamara back to Udinese and buy a National League left back who would instantly be an upgrade.
Currently 2 players too many. Hause unlikely to be included and Bayo apparently going out on loan. Hoedt probably takes Gosling's place if he's injured for the rest of the season (though I don't remember hearing a timeframe, I think it was a ruptured achilles which will take some time). Any other new additions would require a player to be axed. With very little time left to actually find them a new club, they'd likely be stuck on the periphery picking up a wage without being able to play. Also worth noting that with 19 non-HG players, 8 will always have to miss out on a squad place. Okoye looks an easy one to drop, Manaj and Kalu are pants/injured, Bacuna was only ever signed as short-term cover. Can argue that one of the four CBs can sit out. But if (and it's a big if) we had a fully fit squad, choosing another THREE non-HG players to drop won't be easy, and you can bet none of them or the 5 I've listed will be happy to not be in contention because of HG rules.
I'm pretty sure I saw Bilic quoted somewhere as saying he was out of the picture until at least April, so essentially season over. EDIT - found it: https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/23252089.watford-boss-bilic-spells-three-signings-wants/ "So we have four spots because there are players who will not be back, like Dan Gosling. Unfortunately he will not be back until late April"
Yeah it’s a weird rule about being U21 at the start of the calendar year, instead of the league season.
Yes probably, though it also gives a slim chance of getting who has still appeared our best right-back in to the team again for if we make the playoffs.
Presumably if he's not registered in the squad with the EFL after the January window shuts he's ineligible for the play-offs? Genuine question that I don't know the answer to...
Sema is adequate cover at LB and could certainly be first-choice LWB if we move to a back three, IMO. A dominant midfielder can bring the rest of the team to life.
Though if we brought in someone like Hughes, then who do we bench from Hughes, Choudhury, Louza and JP if all are fit? Big if I know.
