I really don’t know how anyone can have that opinion mate. The facts are there for all to see that he was bar far our best CB. As you say though, everyone is entitled to their own opinion even if it is majorly and factually false and incorrect.
Was absolutely immense last night. Unfortunately people just love to hate on him because he’s made some mistakes in the past, and can’t let go of him laying down against Bmuff. Ever since then, there has been a false narrative about him. People always want to say he was our worst player on the pitch even when the facts are there for all to see he was our best defender. In fact he would be my second MOtM behind Dennis.
While I agree that our debt is concerning, what exactly do you think Gino has done? That's a pretty bold allegation.
I think the difference is the net worth of their owners and the ability to deal with the debt if it started to go pear shaped. For example Gino is reputed to be worth circa £120M wheras the other clubs mentioned are significantly higher. Fulham £7B, Stoke £6B, Bournemouth £1B and Blackburn Rovers £850M. The numbers differ a bit depending on the various sources but the proportions are roughly right.
I’m not doing anyone’s dirty work but sharing my own independent view based on research and knowledge, including personal professional knowledge. I do think it’s rude to posit otherwise. Look at what say Kieran Maguire or Swiss Ramble say about our finances and compare it to what they said about Derby. I know some on here and extremely concerned about our financial situation (as opposed to only slightly concerned like me) but those football finance experts share my view that our finances while far from ideal and in a worse state of health than they should be, are not teetering on the brink of financial Armageddon as you suggest. I have already shown you three clubs who have a higher gross debt and also highlighted why gross debt is not a good metric (and I actually think that’s why Watford are in a worse financial state than Bournemouth as all of their debt is owner-financed so has more generous interest rates and repayment terms). I also think number of fans (and I don’t know where you’ve pulled this 30,000 figure from by the way) is just not a particularly relevant financial metric either. Why wouldn’t you look to revenue and then create a debt/revenue ratio if you want to compare our financial situation to those of others? Reading are currently under a transfer embargo and can only sign individual players for free or on loan with approval from the EFL due to their financial situation. Stoke are in breach of FFP and should get a points deduction in the next couple of seasons. Burnley have just had to repay a sizeable chunk of debt due to relegation, and will have to pay back considerably more should they fail to return to the PL this year. Given our knowledge of the shitshow that are our finances, and how it is more detailed and concerning to us due to our familiarity with and passion for the club, it is easy to ignore that the finances of most clubs in this league are various shades of dire.
Certainly. The flip side is that we have had higher revenue than Stoke and Blackburn over the last few years so there’s a bit of give and take and of course is not ideal to compare without context. But yes this is why the club need a minority shareholder with deeper pockets than Gino.
Clearly it's upset you greatly, by the tone of your replies and your rants with other users. I think it's a bit OTT, as it was only a passing comment in a much wider review of the game. But I never write anything to upset anyone.....and this is just for you..... Spoiler: Kabasele Local man is great really
You made a point that Sema won’t be working on a building site in 2 years. I agree as we have given him excellent contracts. Not sure why you find that controversial.
Apropos of nothing I’ve always thought Sema is one of those footballers who don’t look like footballers, not in terms of ability, just how he looks, so he might look more at home on a building site.
I don’t think it’s a question of getting away. It was a narrow 1-0 win, with several imperfections and in the most brutal league in European football where you can very quickly come crashing back down to earth. But when you’ve not won at home since November, and indeed only tasted victory 6 times all of last season, a result such as last night has to be enjoyed! Does it make go away the problems of things like our debt, Mogi Bayat, Zinckernagel being sold for peanuts, the fear of losing Sarr and Dennis or our worries about whether we will get the incoming transfers we need? No, of course not. But winning on the pitch certainly makes those problems slightly easier to bear. It was a professional performance by a team of experienced players who looked well coached and set up and who didn’t tire as Watford teams of recent years have tended to do. An unbalanced defence kept a clean sheet, we limited our opponents to only a handful of chances and we scored a lovely breakaway goal that had us standing to applaud. It neither means we are champions elect or mid-table nobodies. That will become clearer as the weeks go by. But what it does mean is the new start we were promised (and may or may not believe) gets underway with 3 points. And that’s something to smile about for sure.
The trouble is, a minority shareholder, who will have no control over day to day policy, will not pay much for those shares given our relegation and our debt. If we were worth say £80m pre-money, a 15% share would be worth mathematically about £12m, then you have to discount that a bit given its a non controlling minority, say £8m ? Don't think we will get a huge cash inflow from selling a minority share unless it was say 40% with some additional powers that you wouldn't usually associate with a minority holding.
Never ceases to amaze me how some fail to recognise the reason the other team looked poor or disjointed was down to a good defensive performance. Fair play to Rob and the boys, they executed the defensive side very well yesterday. Perfect? No, but no sense letting perfect be the enemy of the good.
Must admit probably wasn’t a great idea given recent events. Could the stewards near by see what was going on? Their fans were shouting and waving their arms about enough .. Could have been a very serous incident but thankfully all seems well with the person who was suffering .
I could definitely be wrong about this but I don’t think you get a minority investor on board for the cash injection of the purchase price (which would surely go to Gino personally anyway) but rather to get someone who can offer some extra spending power should we go up and/or some friendlier re-financing of the debt so debt financing becomes less onerous.
It depends if the company issues new shares (which I assumed) or if Gino just sells some of his shares to new SH (in which case no new cash flows into the club unless pre-agreed). I don't think a new minority investor would buy shares form Gino for £xm and then just gift £ym to the club so in that case it would be in the form of debt....and we already have plenty of that
The youngster involved was taken to hospital, kept in overnight but happily discharged this morning and she is on the mend.
Yes that is good. EFL investigating now . https://mobile.twitter.com/AdamLeventhal/status/1554456668745961475
Not upset by any means, just baffled that anyone who watched the game could walk away with the view/opinion that Kabasele was poor and made “many mistakes” when he was clearly our best defender on the evening. Was just trying to help you see that by providing facts to back that up. Not trying to fall out with you or anyone else as we’re all Watford, but I do get annoyed when our fans run our players down unnecessarily, especially when they have played a great game. Anyway, we won, and that’s the important thing.
I hope I get the chance to know him better,if you get my drift! Nice to be able to enjoy the day after a match.
I think one of Sarr’s real strengths is that the opposition can’t throw everything at us , as he his so quick he can be at the half way line and towards goal before they know it. Sarr’s one flaw though is that he is never going to be an out and out striker , just doesn’t have that goal scoring mentality , but coupled with a Dennis on scoring form could more than make up for lack of goals
Every time someone mentions winning the trophy, I go weak at the knees, us, winning the trophy, not selling our best players because we actually want to WIN something, it's a wonderful dream, oh I wish it could come true!
Loved the game, certainly most of it. I know we had a season and a bit wiped out by covid but as a season ticket holder this was the first win I have personally witnessed in 2 1/2 years since the famous Liverpool 3-0. (guess which two games I missed last season). So it was a good win rather than a great win, but one I loved. Started great Atmosphere great at times High energy, passion and commitment from virtually all involved. Even a player like Dennis who may well be elsewhere by the end of August Generally nullified the opposition, a team which should be a strong contender for top-6 I do have a concern that we wont score enough goals this season without Dennis. A concern which started to build during pre-season and certainly seemed to carry through last night. We threatened much in buildup without the Sheffield 'keeper being unduly tested other than for the goal. And please someone sort out the coach parking constriction after the game. Things to be worked on but overall a welcome start and well done Rob Edwards.
Good points Luke, the worry is that Louza is out longer than expected. I seem to remember someone mentioned he was likely to be a month behind the rest but knowing our track record with injured players, it wouldn't surprise me if it's a lot longer?
Yeah, you're right, you were watching a different game. He was absolutely hopeless last night. Nothing wrong with his work ethic and his determination, as you rightly point out, he's just horrible to watch in a two-man midfield due to his lack of athleticism and mobility! Not to mention he was dreadful in possession and gave the ball away constantly. If we are playing a two man midfield going forwards he can't be in there! Not agile enough or generally good enough as a footballer anymore. I don't mind him off the bench for last 20 minutes to help close a game out, but he should be nowhere near the starting 11.
It’s been nagging away at me but I’ve finally cracked it . All the greatest front 3s need an anacronym . This is what defences suffer from when they face our front three PSD . Pedro Sarr Dennis
I would have thought DPS was the obvious one, given its usage in videogaming to describe offensive play/capability. Not to mention that's how they line up from left to right!
Exactly this. It was evident in our last Championship jaunt. A relatively crap defense had one of the all time best defensive records in the division. I honestly believe Sarr being on the pitch saved us about 20 goals, simply because they were terrified of his pace
