Am I the only Watford fan who is beginning to be concerned about how many players we’re signing this summer? This morning’s announcement of Jose Manuel Jurado brings the total to seven, and with the transfer window open for another six weeks, that number may well reach double figures before we’re finished.
I happily confess that some of my misgivings are founded purely on sentiment. Last season was very special, with head coach, players and fans forming a special bond as we strove for promotion – a unity that was strengthened after the horrific attack on Nick Cruwys. So it would be nice to see those players given a chance to show what they can do in the Premier League. And, given that we’ve repeatedly been told over the past couple of years that the Pozzos have been recruiting with the Premier League in mind, it seemed reasonable to expect that a fair number of those players would get that chance.
Yet as it stands, when the Hornets run out at Goodison Park in a few weeks’ time, it’s not unfeasible that Gomes and Deeney will be the only survivors from the promotion-winning team. And that would be a shame.
My other objection is more practical. While it was always obvious that some strengthening would be required to cope with the rigours of the Premier League, it seems rather reckless to start the campaign with a whole team’s worth of new players, even if they don’t all make the starting eleven – not to mention a new head coach as well. Yes, there’s continuity behind the scenes, and that’s great, but still, we seem to be gambling on the team gelling very quickly.
We’ve been here before, of course, when the Pozzos first arrived and presented Gianfranco Zola with a pick’n’mix selection of players from which to fashion a squad. And, to his immense credit, he did, after a slightly chaotic start, so maybe I’m worrying about nothing. But that was in the Championship; I dread to think what would have happened if Zola had had to find out whether Neuton and Jean-Alain Fanchone were up to scratch by fielding them against the likes of Everton and Manchester City.
Personally, to prepare for the Premier League, I would have strengthened the team with four or five new signings, used loans to fill in any gaps, and then reviewed the situation at Christmas and brought in additional players as needed in the next transfer window. But what do I know?
What I do know is that it’s reached the stage where, every time I read the phrase “Watford have confirmed the signing of...” my heart sinks.
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9 comments:
I can understand your concerns, but had we not signed many players the opposite question would be asked in that we are not doing enough to ensure we stay up.
You have to ask yourself, are the team that got promoted really strong enough to compete in the Premier League? Also, would any of the players we have signed been attracted to us had we still been in the Championship?
I'd say the answer to both questions is no. That tells me the incoming players are of a higher quality than we already have and are necessary.
In modern football you cannot really have sentiment. I was sad to see Bond go and sorry to see Tozser move on, but that's football.
Our previous two promotions have seen us stick with the promoted team, and it resulted in a bottom placed finish both times.
We have no choice, we have to compete this time and that requires a better calibre of player.
It's up to all the players to force their way in. If Murray, Dyer, Anya etc are good enough then they will play, if they are not then they won't.
You need a strong squad, where everyone pushes to play. This is healthy.
It's Flores' job to keep the harmony, which will be difficult, but by the sounds of it, the squad are completely behind him and respect him highly.
I can only see good things this season, and I think we could really surprise quite a few.
Similar to Hopemole's more in depth comments on Watford Observer blog about Jurado.
No I think it's fine. As well as they did last season the team were rarely spot on. By being realistic we may have saved ourselves a painful culling in January after a sorry start. For those of last year's squad who are good enough they'll play much better with other high quality players around them.
I Understand the fear, considering QPR finished bottom last season after all the signings they made, but, to be perfectly honest, everyone, from pundits to fans, to any review you see of watford, has said our main downfall is our defence. We have Deeney, Igahlo and Vydra, all who were in the promotion winning side last term and scored over 50 goals between them, a feat no one else in the championship did, let alone the premier league. Our strikeforce is fine. Yes we have other strikers but to be honest they are our main three.
Our defence is where we fall down slightly. Although Angella, Cathcart and co. have all put in performances, we dont have that rock solid defence. All of our signings have been to bolster the defence. PIts where we need a lot of investment in and Im glad that this year we are spending more to try and stay up.
Similar thoughts to Hopemole's more in depth analysis on Watford Observer blog on Jurado.
Similar thoughts to Hopemole's more in depth analysis on Watford Observer blog on Jurado.
Similar thoughts to Hopemole's more in depth analysis on Watford Observer blog on Jurado.
This is all very well but does anyone know what Hopemole thinks and where I can find that out?
10 now how did you know,next week will be interesting when we find out who's been culled
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