With the players due back on Monday, 20th June, and those that are playing for their countries due back on, Monday, 27th June, that means we’ve got to move bleedin quick in the market if we want a settled team. Literally just 3 weeks and 5 days until the Edwards era begins. Can’t imagine him wanting to deal with a whole bunch of drama so hopefully Gino and co get moving. I’m assuming that pre-season friendlies will be announced soon also. Hopefully every game is at home.
Unfortunately with the way the window works and the fact it doesn’t shut until well into the season starting, it’s easier said than done getting business done both in and out of the club. I agree we should, but whether we can will not always be down to us. Remember last time around and we still had players sitting in the stands when the season kicked off.
We all know the team won't known until the day after the transfer window, could easily start the season with Pedro, Cucho and Kamara for them to be gone a few games later.
This is exactly why I hate the transfer window closing (sorry, “slamming shut”) after the season starts.
I see it as less of an issue in the Champ. 46 games is a long old season. We will have played around 8(?) by the time the transfer window shuts. Give the manager a chance to see the players playing in games that matter rather than just friendlies. I know confidence isn't high amongst everyone but we should have enough in us to at least stay in touch in those early days.
I don't understand your point. Are you saying the manager should assess the squad in the opening few league games and then rush out and sign the required replacements at the end of the window? The thing I don't like is having players in the team at the start of the season who then leave and the team has to reform afterwards. It would be much better to get all the transfers in and out done before the first game.
We won’t have any clue what our team will actually look like until the window closes. I bet there’s loads of guys sat in stands for the first few games, desperately hoping a transfer materializes. We’ll get a few bodies from Udinese on deadline day to fill out the squad, and Edwards will be left trying to integrate them, along with the unhappy bodies who didn’t get a move. Scott and Gino do business properly. Lessons have been learned.
Generally our pre-season games are against local sides, so I expect more games against Barnet, QPR. Boreham Wood and St Albans. If we're really lucky, we'll get to go against a PL giant like Everton or Muff.
The main part of my point is the situation of incomplete squads is less of an issue in the champ as opposed to the Prem due to the number of games. I would imagine the new manager has been given some information on players and will get a short time to evaluate them in pre-season, but not that long and to see players in league matches is often different to friendlies. I’m not suggesting he wait until the league starts to begin the process, there are clear areas that need strengthening, but until you assess the squad you cannot know for sure. Ideal world, squads are complete before a ball is kicked, but a new manager with a large squad, it’s not that bad a situation to be in this year.
Given petrol prices and the state of our finances, I expect we'll have a pre season v Hemel Town, St Albans, Oxhey jets and the showpiece v Barnet.
It’s going to be a struggle with such a short preseason. I am to put on half a stone now that the horrors of the matches I have seen have stopped and I am able to eat and sleep more like normal again. So should be fully fit for the start of the season. Preseason fitness tour aside, I expect I could make it to St Albans or Barnet for a friendly. Presumably the Carabo cup will still starting in the first weeks of August to give the extended squad a run out (trot back defeated).
You may think that's a bit of a joke, but apparently when we got out of tier 3 for the first time ever (so the 69/70 season) a minibus full of your lot set off to drive down for the league game at the Vic. They left it a bit late without realising and by 2.30 after driving all around Watford Village (in Northants, near to Watford Gap Services) they gave it up as a bad job and went back home. They were only about 65 miles shy of making it....
Sticking my neck out here, but I actually think Edwards is already well into squad matters, and whilst certain incomings will depend on outgoings (sarr/Dennis cash) I reckon RE will already be pointing out several possibilities in the low cost/freebie range. I'm sure he's already pushed the ejector button on several players already.? With all the u23s released my gut feeling is that he will have to keep quite a few of the old guard, but will get in a few of his personal choices and then suplement with several youngsters that he thinks he can integrate gradually. I think we'll see a few u23s on the bench quite often under RE..?
Some of the old guard have to stay. Cleverly, Gosling and Cathcart I wouldn't mind around the squad but not as starters. They're solid professionals and it's necessary to have those types around. No problem with U23 playing if they're good enough, Pollock, Baah, Forde and Hungbo could well be those types. My main worry if players like Kabs, Kiko, WTElephant, Masina, Rose, and Sema are still around. Even though I believe Sema will be number 2 to Kamara. Not made my mind up on Kayembe yet, he hasn't really screamed out as a possible regular.
How many players are out of contract this summer (of the old guard) I thought cleverly was one.? It's a tough one re some players. Kabs would be OK in the championship, Sema we know gets forward well at that level, and Cathcart is very steady also at that level.? Massina is also plausible as LWB in my mind. OK so not in our long term interests but whilst We're in a rebuild project I can't see us jettisoning half the squad.? It's going to be an interesting summer...
Clevs has one more year. As for Kabs I want more than just OK. Sema ok squad player and that's it. Masina should go and I wouldn't be happy with him LWB, Kamara and another. Sema as backup at a real push. Cathcart is fine, we need an experienced head.
Well few of them are going anywhere, Masina and Kiko have apparently said he's going, I suppose there's a slight chance we pay up Rose's contract, but other than that, I don't think any of them will go. For some of them we are apparently interested in players that play in their positions, which means they'll be pushed even further down the pecking order, although I fear that the likes of Cathcart, Kabasele Cleverley will still play a fair amount of football (Gosling playing a fair bit I wouldn't mind as much as he has goals in him which I don't think any of his rivals really do, but the rest are varying levels of washed, and weren't exactly superstars in the Championship last time)
Watch Sema morph into Sarr next season. He will get the name "King Ken" back and we know he secretly loves being called it. First and foremost Ken, when you receive the ball, don't pass it off the pitch.
Am looking forward to pre season just to see what the new guy is all about. Although I have to say the last season really knocked the stuffing out of me , and my happy clapperdom is starting to bear a resemblance to the forced grin of a second hand car salesman whose outer ebuillence masks a an increasing realisation of his grim day to day reality.
If Sema stays he should be nothing but a backup to the LWB. I could just about deal with that. Udinese played him there on occasions and seemed to of done quite well. Not a starter for sure but his ability to cover a few positions could help. Doesn't seem the type to throw his toys out of the pram either.
To be fair Sema took the piss out of Championship defenders a couple of seasons ago and it just goes to show how gigantic the gulf in class between the Championship and the Premier League iss
Exactly. This is going to be key for us this coming season. All the main stays from last season will need to put a shift in and prove they still want to be part of Edward's plans. I think Woy and CR70 were way to easy on players not putting a shift in. Even though there is no way to prove that claim - it does feel like they did whatever they wanted come match day. We need a GT level of respect to the playing staff from Edwards, tough but sincere, as well as motivating. Any shirkers need showing the door or the bench ASAP.
Took piss is a bit extreme but he certainly had the beating of most full backs. He's just a bang average championship winger that over the course of a season will chip in will a handful of goals and assists. His ability and output is just below what is needed for a promotion chasing team. i.e. - starts every game - doesn't deliver enough - impact sub - won't have the desired impact often enough. I'm not against keeping him as a back up across LWB and LM (if we play a 2nd formation) in terms of ability, however given his increased wage when we renewed his contract means value vs our spend on him is way out of whack. Find someone to pay a million and jettison him.
I love a bit of the Ken hustle and bustle. Hes the exact sort of character that Watford legends are made. Passionate, hardworking, loveable and makes up for limited ability with hard work and passion. Hes the attacking version of Lloyd Doyley.
