RB is not the weakest link of our defence, in fact it is possibly the position we least need to strengthen! I'm not saying we are fantastic in that position, but we do have 3 reasonable players who can cover it in Kiko, Ngakia & Cathcart.
We have set the record for most games without a clean sheet - and are still counting. We have conceded a horrendous amount of goals so far and showing no signs of stopping. Not one other PL club would take any of the above players. Some fans really need to wake-up and recalibrate what constitutes ‘reasonable’ at this level. That said, I agree their are positions of greater concern than RB. But it’s not far down the list.
Some fans need to understand we can't afford to ditch the whole starting 11 from last season other than Sarr. If you were going to pick 3 key positions to strengthen with prem standard players, which would you choose ? I'd suggest GK, LB, CB would be priority for the spend.
And I haven’t suggested we should be replacing the whole team in one season - I’m very aware that financially impossible. I’m just saying we don’t have to give false platitudes to those who do remain and need to admit their part of the big problems we have. The 3 defenders named in the post I responded to are all part of our defensive problems. Are they the main reasons? No, not at RB. But they aren’t excused and we need a better option in the next 2 windows - (if we remain in the PL) As for the last part, I’d say: 1. CB 2. LB 3. Defensive midfielder. 4. Attacking central midfielder. 5. RB I have left out GK because I think Foster is decent enough for another 6 months if he’s provided the increased protection getting a player in each of the top 3 positions would provide. But if Foster isn’t back soon, then I’d put GK into the list.
I agree with your list although would add that a second CB or an additional forward is probably also ahead of RB.
Oh I was just going by positions, not numbers. I think we need 2 CB’s above any other position personally.
Not coming to us …. They will want £4m and we will offer £400k and a friendly match in Aug …. It’s all PR so Pozzo and Dux can say they tried !!!
Our model of recruitment is probably one of worst in the division and that is why we are being relegated this season. The most we can hope for is a bit of yo-yoing unless we get new richer owners. Pity that Moshiri was not a Watford supporter.
Nkoulou is being called our best defender in his thread, you know, the guy we picked up for free that no other club wanted and has played one game for us. If that isn’t a crushing reality check as to how trash our entire back line is, then I don’t know what is. None of them are good enough, so it doesn’t really matter where we start, if we can get improvements in anywhere across the back 5, then it doesn’t matter if it isn’t done in the exact reverse order of shytness.
I've no problem in signing a few free transfer Ashley Fletcher types on the basis that they cover the "5th choice" spot and you never know might come good. A bit like we were all up in arms when we signed Sierralta from Udinese. However can't rely on signings like that to go straight into the first XI.
I have a problem in giving Fletcher signing on fee and a 5 year contract if it means we can't afford to even put a small amount of resource towards the defense. And that's before we get to Louza. But hey ho - best owners/best recruiters ever etc.
Well as you constantly correctly point out we have extremely limited funds. So stop frittering it away on players who can't contribute. Signing on fees, and 5 years of wages isn't insignificant in our limited sphere.
Fletcher is like a reverse Sarr or Louza, he was on Gino’s scouting radar years ago, so it doesn’t matter how his career has gone from that point onwards, he just couldn’t resist signing him because he was available, even if we don’t need him and the fact he’s total shyte and will never play is irrelevant to him. It’s like asking a kid not to touch something hot.
I agree with this - defo need 2 centre backs I'd also think the random nkoulou to udinese rumours from a few days ago back up the chances of it happening. Replace Kabs & Nkoulou in the squad, WTE has been terrible this season but he's HG and we'll likely hold on to him.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/footbal...xford-hold-talks-jermain-defoe-chelsea-narrow Reports in the Telegraph that we are interested. Replacing Rose and Masina in one window would be the stuff of dreams.
He’s a RB. Good player and exactly the kind of profile we should be targeting for around £4m. Anyone have a Telegraph subscription and is able to share what the article says?
In my head I thought he was a left back. Seems to have been touted around all of Europe in recent weeks. No subscription unfortunately.
