This is his heat map so far this season. Last season he was predominantly on the RW. This season, he’s being asked to hug the LW. I think we would benefit from a player of De la Vega’s quality. He is comfortable on both wings, and having him as an option to cut in onto his right foot from LW will only help us score more goals. Don’t forget he’s still young and learning, just from last season to this season so far, he has improved dramatically. His accurate passing percentages are way up over last year alone. He is beginning to develop into a tidy little player. His 2 assists last season against Boca (one from RW the other more central). On another note Lanus play tomorrow against Gremio. I’m hoping he starts so I can watch him again.
There must be a job out there for you. You pretty much do it already without getting paid. My wife bleats at me for watching Watford games, she would divorce me if I started watching Genk vs Antwerp or something similar
Probably, but I would have to start at the bottom. With a wife and 2 kids, mortgage etc to pay, it’s probably not going to happen. That’s why I say I’m blessed. She really is a keeper, duh dum tis. I got it in early, made her aware I love football and we will be celebrating 11 years of marriage in July. I come from a football family, (2 ex pro’s), so when my wife met my family, she was launched into the world of football. She knew nothing about it, now she can hold her own conversation. And she learnt the most valuable football lessons, she hates Luton and Wayne Rooney.
I just don’t like him. Same as Frank Lampard, JT and Stevie G. As football players, can’t argue that they were great. As people outside of football, their arrogance is repulsive.
Haha yeah, for now. At 2 and 4, soon to be 3 and 5, they are developing a love for watford. I am concerned however once my oldest starts kindergarten (reception) this year, he will be influenced by all the American kids who support the “top 6.” If he turns his back on my hard work, then he becomes a negotiable. That should scare my youngest enough to not turn.
I expect you might already have told us this Markoa, but if you have I missed it. I know you have said you live abroad but in what country, and are you British or a national of another country? I hope you don't mind me asking
Born and raised in England. Met my wife when I was 23, moved to the States when I was 24. Been here ever since.
My kid even though born in uk he’s spent all but 1 month of his life in Canada. He’s in a French immersion school so took a liking towards PSG. I’ve allowed that as long as his English team is Watford. ( which it is and should be) as his only experience watching us is he was a mascot against muff in premier league and the west ham home game before the cup final and the cup final. If he dared to follow anyone else I’ve told him I’d adopt someone else and abandon him in the mountains to become bear food. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
If Bordeaux are relegated we should chuck a bid in Yacine Adli. I fear he will go to a bigger club than us.
Olivier Giroud I know he is getting on, but he is still a prolific goal machine and he is not getting a look in at Chelsea right now, so I wonder if we could get him to come to us for a last hurrah, it's worth a try me thinks, as he is exactly the type of player we need.
He would be a cracking signing if we can get low-ish price. Set piece specialist in both corners and free kicks.
How about another son of a top former pro to add to Mitchell Bergkamp? Jordan Larsson (son of Henrik). 23 years old and currently playing for Spartak Moscow where he's currently the 3rd top scorer in the division with 13 goals in 26 games (plus 5 assists). He's a left-footed forward, which is valuable in itself, and seems to have the tools to make an impact in the PL with excellent dribbling and silky technique that has echoes of his father. The main question mark would be that he doesn't really play in a position which is likely to be a top priority for us - he's mostly been used as a second-striker/#10, and he'd also do very well as an option for the right-wing. Interesting talent nonetheless who could turn out to be a steal for a side in a top division. They signed him from Norkopping in Sweden for just €4mil two in summer 2019.
( The Celtic fans were going mad when he went to Russia. He looks a top player already with a great turn of pace. Could he play the central role?
Ugbo, Baah, Pollock, Doig and Simeu. Definitely an interesting approach from Giaretta. Looking towards to future which is great to see. Only Ugbo I would consider potential first teamer. The other 4 I would send out on loan to a championship/league 1 club. Ugbo contract expires 6/22 Pollock contract expires 6/21 Simeu contract expires 6/21 Baah contract expires 6/21 Doig just signed a new contract until 6/25 (If transfermarkt is to be believed) Clearly targeting youngsters and offering more than u23’s football. None of them would join us unless we are offering them a clear pathway to first team football in the future. If we sign all 5, it’s going to be interesting where they end up. If I had to guess I would go; Ugbo - first team Pollock - loan to league 1 club Simeu - loan to championship club Baah - loan to championship club Doig - loan to championship club
He is actually out of contract with Chelsea at the end of the season, which I did not realise before. Therefore we could possibly get him on a free, which would possibly mean we could offer him big wages, also we could pretty much guarantee him a starting spot and of course the opportunity staying in the PL, furthermore he would not have to up route his family and move home. All of this combined might just put us in a chance of signing him.
Reading about Baah there was talk of Brierley who currently is on trial at Abu Dhabi. Perhaps if that does nor work out we could nip in for him as well.
We could put a small bid in for Capoue. I suspect Villarreal will be happy to sell after tonight’s showing.
He seems very good and is surely ready to leave the Russian league. He's been mostly used by Spartak as a second-striker playing off a traditional #9/target man in Sobolev. As I say the tricky thing is I can't really tell from the clips I've seen what position(s) he would do best in as part of our current set up. It's partly because his game seems to incorporate a fair few different styles of play somehow, and he might also be a bit of a Neymar-esque luxury player. He could probably do the #10 central role for us if given licence to roam and attack, like a probably better, left-footed Zinckernagel, though his defensive work might not be very good, and if we'll be wanting a bit more of an all-round workhorse in that more attacking 3rd midfield spot, e.g. more like Cleverley, then he's probably not that (Yangel Herrera and Hernani appear to be more like upgrades of that type of player). I'm not sure he'd offer enough in his hold up play to lead the line as the #9, but would be good for counter-attacks. Goal-scoring, left-footed right-winger a la Salah, Matheus Pereira etc. could also suit him well, but we already have Sarr as first choice in our right-wing spot.
He played a key role in their first goal. Both yellows seemed unlucky and a bit harsh as well, the first was soft and the second he just slipped. He'd still be head and shoulders above any of our midfielders, it's no fluke he's got to a EL Semi-Final with them.
Game just finished between Lanus and Gremio. De La Vega, yet again was good. Will give you my thoughts, in a moment.
As stated above, my thoughts on De La Vega tonight. Firstly, he’s going places. Although Lanus lost 2-1 to Gremio, De La Vega in my opinion was the best player for Lanus tonight. Misplaced 1 or 2 passes, so probably finished the game with 90 something pass accuracy. He’s defensive work impressed me tonight, think he won every ground duel that he was in, and was maybe dribbled past once or twice. Put in a couple of good tackles as well. Offensively he took his man on and had the beating of him multiple times. Made some key passes that should have resulted in a goal. I have no doubt he’s being watched by bigger clubs than us, but we should get in early. I’ve seen enough of him to gamble on him. Interestingly his team mate, Bernabei, who I only recently started watching, got the assist. He’s normally a LB by trade but can operate just as comfortably as a LW aswell. He too had a good game. Very quick and direct. Haven’t seen nearly enough of him yet to make any formal opinion, but I’m excited to see how he develops. Edit: Just for the record he played RW tonight. Was hoping he would start on left as I believe that’s where effective.
No need for Pjanic until the last week of the window when we haven't signed anyone and Deeney gets a new contract instead.
