Valerien Ismael - Manager

Discussion in 'The Hornets' Nest - Watford Chat' started by Cthulhu, May 10, 2023.

  1. Steve Leo Beleck

    Steve Leo Beleck Squad Player

    Not to me. He seems to be quite active on social media so has probably seen a load of comments about his playing style and is seeking to counter them/get fans onside. He'll be well aware his appointment hasn't exactly been met with open arms so makes sense to try to influence the narrative.
     
  2. hornetboy1

    hornetboy1 First Team Captain

    Yep, I must admit my eyebrows did raise a little when I read that. It was the very first attribute he listed as well. Good news in terms of Louza's role within his system. If we sign Prass as well, then we'd have two ballers in the middle of the park. Prass might be a Louza replacement though, but I hope not.
     
    EB Hornet likes this.
  3. wfcSinatra

    wfcSinatra Predictor Choker 14/15

    Bit of a strange recurring theme this isn’t it. Adam doesn’t like him, Luther don’t like him / the club right now. Is he plain awful at PR and fostering good relationships? Get the general feeling he’s just not a very nice man.
     
    wfcmoog likes this.
  4. lowerrous

    lowerrous First Team

    He very much looks it to me, unless we plan to push Louza in to the 10 position. I don't think they could partner each other in CM.

    He seems like a more physically tough Louza, with perhaps a marginally lesser ball striking technique.
     
  5. Cassetti's Beard.

    Cassetti's Beard. Academy Graduate

    He does go on to say you need to adapt in certain situations. Hopefully we'll see a fluid approach to formations/line ups/style of football depending on who we are playing and what's happening on the pitch, far too many rigid managers out there who won't (or not capable) of making the changes required.
     
    reids likes this.
  6. WillisWasTheWorst

    WillisWasTheWorst Its making less grammar mistake's thats important

    In his interview VI says he is looking forward to meeting the players and is happy to have been appointed early, so as to prepare well for next season. He also says that it will be good to get into the transfer market early, even before some other teams know which division they will be playing in. Now I would have thought that almost all players not involved in the playoffs would have swanned off on their holidays/back to their home countries now, not to return much before pre-season training on July 1st-ish. Traditionally, there is not much transfer activity in June because of this. I would be surprised if the squad is remodelled before then, let alone by the end of the playoffs, which VI seems to be expecting to some extent.
     
  7. lowerrous

    lowerrous First Team

    The JP deal shows that early deals can be possible. It's good the club are trying at least. We will likely be needing to sign quite a few players in and it's good to have them in for first day of pre-season.
     
    The undeniable truth likes this.
  8. BigRossLittleRoss

    BigRossLittleRoss First Team

    Last edited: May 12, 2023
  9. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    I wonder what some of them are thinking. The axe needs to be wielded on the squad in a very harsh pruning. We have to see a squad modelled in the image of the manager and football director.
     
  10. hornetboy1

    hornetboy1 First Team Captain

    I always felt we needed two players of Louza's ability, as we all saw how much he was missed when he was not around. If you get the midfield right, then it fixes so many issues. We were woefully off it last season in the middle of the park, and this was one of the main reasons we failed so badly as a team (IMO).
     
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  11. LaClusazSki

    LaClusazSki Reservist

    Most outlets.
     
  12. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    John Lewis? M&S?
     
    lowerrous likes this.
  13. LaClusazSki

    LaClusazSki Reservist

    Point taken.
    I have seen their names, but l have not had time to go into their careers yet. I will and just out of interest.
    It does look as if Ismael was forth on list. Circumstances pushed him into pole position. I think it was two No's and and issue regarding work permit .
    I certainly do not disguise that the appointment of Ismael is disappointing and he could be gone by Christmas.
     
  14. LaClusazSki

    LaClusazSki Reservist

    Good one
    We are Watford so it would be Poundland, Home Bargains, TK Maxx
     
  15. a19tgg

    a19tgg First Team

    What I find slightly odd is that Edwards was apparently a bad fit and he needed a less talented, hard working bunch of players that would work for him to succeed, which he got at Luton, but apparently could’ve never worked with us.

    Yet that’s exactly what VI had, and got from Barnsley if not more so, in terms of them being a very limited but hardworking group, and yet people are using that as an example of how he could do well here? Seems like a lot of mental gymnastics going on. VI then did far worse at a better squad in WBA.

    I get that the answer will probably be “but we’ll bring in new players” but how many? 11? And will they all be hard working yet limited players?
     
  16. LeedsOrn

    LeedsOrn Reservist

    Blessin had the work permit issue and it noted that his initial candidacy did not advance as a result. I’d much prefer Ismael to Blessin, personally. He’s had a better career and is familiar with the league.

    Hutter and Seaone are hugely successful coaches. It was worth chancing an arm but I imagine the former gets a PL job and the latter may be headed to Atalanta. Given Manga’s connection to both an inquiry must have made sense but I don’t think it reflects poorly on Ismael that those options would have been preferred.
     
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  17. WatfordTalk

    WatfordTalk First Team

    You've posted about Rob Edwards about 10 times in 2 days. Move on, mate!
     
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  18. barely1egal

    barely1egal Reservist

    Edwards could never have worked because Pozzo chose to going to actively sabotage him with his recruitment. Bringing in a coach to play a system which relies on dynamic wing backs, and serving up Mario Gaspar was always going to be catastrophic as almost everyone immediately recognised.

    At that time Pozzo and Bayat were the sole people with responsibility for recruitment - Giaretta was just jerking off. The hope now is that with Manga involved in the decision making process and Bayat looking down the barrel of a jail sentence, Pozzos catastrophic decision making will be impacted in a positive way. I am not saying Manga is the magic cure, but he will at least be trying to sign players for the benefit of the club and who suit the coach, and not simply facilitating the siphoning of money out like Bayat was doing under Giaretta and Pozzo's watch.
     
    Since63 likes this.
  19. Knight GT

    Knight GT Predictor extraordinaire 2013/14

    Hard work is something that was badly missing last season and although that alone won’t get you promoted it certainly is a good place to start. The trouble we will have I would think is affording hard working players who are decent at football! A mix of Choudery and Louza.
     
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  20. Malteser2

    Malteser2 Reservist

    Not sure how much truth there is in the reports but the rumours about Sunderland axing Mowbray continue to grow. Bizarrely. There are now reportedly three candidates. Our old friend Struber and rising star Jassle have joined he who can’t be mentioned anymore. Very odd
     
  21. lowerrous

    lowerrous First Team

    He's not going to be cheap though - we wouldn't spend so much on someone to play second fiddle to Louza. If we were looking for a Louza alternative it'd make more sense to get a right-footed player who could also play next to him when they're both fit (unless the plan is to move Louza forwards, which st this stage unfortunately doesn't seem likely).
     
  22. Since63

    Since63 Squad Player

    Pozzo having the ultimate decision on who to appoint from a selection of candidates presented to him by the DOF or whoever is not exactly the same as ‘Pozzo plucking someone out of the air’ now is it.
    Being disillusioned by Pozzo’s excessive interference with footballing decisions doesn’t mean he shouldn’t have the final say on the most significant ones, such as HC appointments.

    I hope, as do you, that a similar process continues with player selection. Manga presents a list of players that fit Ismael’s needs & Pozzo’s role is to approve which one we prioritise.
     
    Loyalhornet likes this.
  23. LeedsOrn

    LeedsOrn Reservist

    As I said on the other thread Prass could be the LWB?
     
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  24. Since63

    Since63 Squad Player

    As he was forth choice, I reckon the Scottish press.
     
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  25. lowerrous

    lowerrous First Team

    He doesn't seem especially quick, and seems to prefer cutting inside rather than beating a man round the outside, so not sure that really makes sense. Ismael really would have to be very committed to abandoning width pretty much altogether and packing the midfield if he was to put him there.
     
    LeedsOrn likes this.
  26. Keighley

    Keighley First Team

    Forth or Firth?

    I'll get me mac.
     
  27. Since63

    Since63 Squad Player

    Or as per Genesis, Firth of Fifth.
    Ironically on Selling England By The Pound.
     
    Keighley likes this.
  28. PowerJugs

    PowerJugs Doyley Fanatic

    I think it's reasonable to have the core players in place by then, and have sub / squad players filter thereafter. Not that we have operated like that in years.
     
  29. I Blame Pozzo

    I Blame Pozzo First Team

    When Gabriel was dressed as a flower?
    They were excellent then.
    Not so keen when YTS Gabriel in Phil Collins took over the vocals.
    I saw them at Knebworth or rather I read the Sunday papers.
     
    Last edited: May 12, 2023
  30. VR94

    VR94 Academy Graduate

    If we play a back three I’d be very surprised if Sema isn’t first-choice LWB. He’s perfectly serviceable. Don’t think it’s a position that needs major investment.
     
    PowerJugs likes this.
  31. WillisWasTheWorst

    WillisWasTheWorst Its making less grammar mistake's thats important

    Sema certainly isn’t a specialist in that position, but if we use that system I don’t think there’s anywhere else on the pitch he can play. I don’t rate him as a central midfielder, where he has played on occasion, and there wouldn’t be a conventional winger, which he is really. However, I agree there are many other positions which are a higher priority.
     
  32. PowerJugs

    PowerJugs Doyley Fanatic

    Sema, especially in the Championship, is a high end LWB option to have with his work rate, reliable fitness and decent end product. Morris has shown to be a capable player, but he's not physically quick enough for the role yet
     
  33. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    Morris won't be getting any quicker !
     
  34. Since63

    Since63 Squad Player

    The flower costume was used in ‘Supper’s Ready’ picking up on the line ‘we watch in reverence as Narcissus is turned to a flower.’ ‘A flower?’.

    I first saw them October 70 at Watford Tech when they were 2nd billing to Steamhammer MkII and before Collins had joined. Then saw them about 5 months later at the Kingham Hall…only about 100 people there, but they were great both times. I thought the later introduction of the costumes was OK to a point but took over a bit by the time of ‘Lamb’.
    I stopped buying their albums after Gabriel left, and find their stuff from ‘Now We Are Twee’ onwards uninspiring.
     
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  35. luther1

    luther1 Academy Graduate

    I was at both gigs. They played Watford a lot in those days.
     
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