Sounds like Kiko might have Gilmore Groin. Friend of mine had an op for that and took ages to heal because he was told by the specialist that the groin area receives the least amount of blood.
Sure I'm not writing him off. He could be Doucoure mark II or he could be a Berghuis. We'll need a season to find out. My grumble is that at the time I don't think using most of our budget on him was a great strategy (whether he works out or not).
Think Sissoko, Tufan were not on the cards then and we took the opportunity to get him. Going 4.5m each on a defender and a midfielder sounds reasonable but chances are anybplayer at 4.5m isnt proven class. Ideally 9m on a middielder and 9m on a CB and 30m on a forward. But we get Fletcher, Louza, King and Pollock... As thats the budget. I for one dont want us gambling on survival.
When we first signed him I thought it was a really good one for us, but having seen him (and I'm not denigrating him or anything as he's just arrived in England), he has a task and a half even getting into the team. A strange deal for what turned out to be a large proportion of our total outlay!
I do wonder if we knew we'd manage to get in the others like Tufan on cheaper deals. Perhaps they've been watching Louza for a while and view him as a good longer term investment. I think he'll get some game time this season so we'll see if he can provide any more immediate pay back for the fee.
I very much doubt Foster is "really" injured. Just needs a bit more time in the video suite editing together his latest GO PRO footage. I do quite enjoy his Cycling GK channel mind.
I didn’t really understand what power FIFA really had in this situation. Maybe they can fine the Premier League, but they don’t have the power to ban players from playing in a domestic competition. Maybe they could impose bans for international matches (which would be hilarious) or European games with the cooperation from UEFA but how can they ban players from domestic games? I never understood how that could have been imposed. FIFA now look toothless and it’s very embarrassing for them, but it serves them right. They backed the wrong pony.
I don't think it does. Mexico have made the agreement with Wolves. I'm not aware of any agreement by the Chilean FA for Sierralta to play. Hopefully the news that PL clubs have chosen to defy the ban proves to be true.
I suppose it's the same thing as always - it's up to the FA ultimately whether to recognise and implement a ban imposed in another jurisdiction. We've seen it before with friendlies held abroad involving an English team or where an English team signs a player already banned for a couple of games in their previous club's country. It's all just reciprocal. Not sure if FIFA rules mean the FA is obliged to do it or not.
Basically we're lucky it affects Liverpool and a few other big clubs. Had it not, then the ban would have been upheld. We all know how it works.
Fully expect us to win tomorrow now with Sierralta playing, only for FIFA to implement the 3-0 loss punishment as an example. All other clubs will get away with it because they showed remorse or had an agreement with that national FA. Watford were the only club that didn’t.
Just read Alfie Marriott has been recalled from Kings Langley and will be Watford’s 3rd choice keeper for tomorrow’s match, as Foster is injured and Angelini has covid.
Gray, Perica and Success only on the bench for us according to the Grauniad's match preview. Surprised they haven't predicted them to start.
I'm looking forward to my trip so much. Tomorrow at 4 a.m. is it starting. My feeling is that there will be a double victory this weekend. Watford and Hertha
Hope you have a great day out Julian, and that the team can provide a win to make your weekend complete. Ill be keeping any eye out for Hertha Berlin score!
