Looked into his stats from last season. It's fairly unique as he was managed by his father at Reading, and is someone who would know his strengths as a player better than anyone. How Ince senior used him was mainly in midfield. 21 of his 38 matches were either central or advance midfield. He also used him as a second striker 7 times. Even though Ince is listed as a right winger, he only played that position 3 times last season. 4 times as a central striker and once as a right midfielder. So, he's certainly versatile. I think we'll probably use him mainly as an advanced/central midfielder, and we certainly need bodies in this position. Probably a Gosling type replacement, in that he will arrive in the box to back up the attacks.
I've obviously read as this thread has gone on and various wise and intelligent posters have made a good case for why this is a cost effective signing of a very experienced player at this level who also turned in good numbers while playing for an otherwise woeful side last season. Also interesting to see that Reading fans are generally positive about him. I can't get beyond the fact he's just not very likeable - and in a squad that for 2-3 years now has been completely unlikeable that's a concern - but now he's here I'll give him a chance. Hopefully he's not intended as a key first XI pick though, as financial concerns aside I still think we've got enough pull to be setting our sights a little higher.
I note some cynicism about Tom Ince coming in, but I don't share it (at the moment, at least). He is not liked by some of our fan base and this is most likely because he has done well against us in the past. Surely that is a positive? As for his character, I know nothing about him and he may be the nicest chap or a horrible c***, but that is not a major issue for me. If we had a squad of 25 nice guys who try hard, but do not know how to win, their character would mean Jack to me. I always rated him as a good player. I share your view that we should give him a chance and I welcome Tom and wish him every success in his career with WFC.
A goal every 4 games, always looked dangerous when we've played them, disliked by opposition fans and cheap. I'm sold. I actually think he will play a large part in this season. I can see the point about aiming higher but actually what we fail to do in the past is seek out the bargains which I think this is
I'm with you on all of that UEA. I find it extremely rare to think of a new Orns signing in a bad way given their past track record. I can usually get over any of my initial prejudices to see redeeming features. Matt Spring won me/us over very quickly for example. This is the toughest one for a long time given his attitude and that ear-cupping s*** he always adopts with the opposition fans. Couldn't abide us recruiting Paul Miller from Spurs back in the day, maybe Bill Baxter in the time of black and white and...and...well not many others if truth be told. Oh well (pinches nostrils), welcome to the Vic, Tom Ince.
My only concern is that his been to 7 clubs in 13 years Of those 7 clubs 4 have loaned him out or his moved on a loan to buy. No one keeps him for more than 2 years, why ? We have a squad of players who have underachieved and have questionable attitudes. I see nothing in Ince's history to suggest that we aren't going down the same route.
I'd just say my view of him isn't influenced by him scoring or doing well against us. And I don't want 'nice guys', I want players we as fans can feel invested in. Likeable doesn't mean weak or being a soft touch.
Going by last season he will fit right in on this sound logic. I've never been a massive fan of his and he seemed to have a big ego about himself, but if he does well for us and contributes to making us actually score goals this season then he's a welcome addition. More pace than Davis and in that sense will actually get into scoring positions who has scored against us numerous times in the past. As long as he has "grown up" now and knuckles down - he should redeem himself to the Watford faithful. Welcome Tom, just keep your Dad away from the manager's seat in the dugout.
There are lots of players who are loved by their own team's fans by leveraging everyone else's dislike to their sides advantage. We lack a whole lot of needle and if Ince gives us that then happy to back him. If he downs tools and throws a strop though - deserved boos.
Yes of course. My brain wouldn't bring him to mind nor Mick Quinn. Neither deserved anything from our club let alone wages or the time of day!
I didn't hate Kerry Dixon so much as I won £5 on an Esso scratchcard with his name on it when he was a Chelsea Player.
Mick Quinn's biggest flaw was that he was so fat it looked like Deeney had eaten Danny Rose and then been eaten by Tufan.
I too wasn't fan of Ince , but he did always seem to score against us and I think I don't like him because he has that Ashley Barnes type dislikeable mentality.However, I think that could be a plus when he's playing for us.
Quite possibly my favourite ever Watford chant at an otherwise entirely forgettable away day when he came on with about 10 minutes to go: Who ate Mickey Quinn? Who ate Mickey Quinn? You fat *******, You fat *******, You ate Mickey Quinn.
The bloke appears to be a grade A **** but he's still a long way ahead of the current dross we have up front. That'll do me.
I mean apart from Healey not sure we have any other strikers do we? Is Bayo back in training with us for example.
I wasn't talking strikers particularly, just any of our lot who play, (or pretend to play), forward positions. Take Sema as a prime example, absolutely farkin useless, a headless chicken, Ince is 2 leagues at least above him. Useless ****s like Sema I despise, annoying ****s like Ince who have a bit about them I'm happy to have.
Last season Sema had a goal or an assist every 242 minutes. Last season Ince had a goal or an assist every 251 minutes.
Mate, I'll not mince words here and don't take offence, but if you think Sema is a footballer based on stats then you have issues. Even Briggs scored the odd goal and he was by far the worst footballer ever to pull on the shirt, (in my humble opinion).
Briggs has actually only ever scored a single league goal in his entire career in the professional divisions of the football pyramid.
