definitely see this argument and point of view but I’d argue Watson will be a better player in August having had half a season smashing it in league one, rather than sitting on our bench waiting for RLB to make subs in the 80th minute.
Watson's progression game on game was very impressive, I wouldn't be loaning him out. For me if the Vale links are genuine, we play him on the left till Mundle or Watson are fit. After that Vale can be on the bench as looks to be quite versatile.
Playing in league one would still give him the experience against proper ‘men’s’ football, and arguably toughen him up against the physical nature that seems lacking in the u21’s The argument is based on who we believe would take the LW spot when both Watson and Mundle are fit. Don’t think we can afford to lose either player personally. They’re already both injured and I feels like we’re down to bare bones all over the pitch right now.
Agreed. Starting XI vs Blackburn was strong, but there were 3 on the bench in that game who probably won't be at the club for one reason or another come February. Given we now have Rigg out too, we are light in most positions. It feels like temporarily light though.
I thought RLB said he was out for 8 weeks so likely back in January but not sure if I've missed an update as folk hinting at longer
FFP always was a joke, its a barrier to stop the Newcastles of the world spoiling the party. I know they're mags but they backed with unlimited cash they cant spend, whilst Barca in debt to their eyeballs, haemorrhaging cash but continue to spend. Financials controls are needed to stop the stewart donalds of the world buying the likes of a sunderland, not stopping clubs competing.
Would be surreal Real Madrid buying one of ours, just leave him alone until the summer and give us our £50m then
This is going to sound crazy but Real Madrid would be a terrible move for Jobe. Everyone would say they’re just signing him for his name. And he’d probably fail to break through there and end up being loaned back to England with his confidence flopped. He’ll spend his entire career being remembered as the overhyped brother of Jude. Whereas if he took a similar route to Jude, somewhere like Dortmund first, he could definitely end up somewhere like Real having properly “earned” it.
No way, he is ready for our first 11 now and we need to keep him and Riggy involved at first team level , or loose them to one of the big boys imo.
will have 90 league games or us in the championship come the end of the season and still 5 months away from his 20th birthday. His development has been surreal, a real upward curve and if he continues to go at this rate he'll be some player in his own right. Doesn't have to be a ballon dor contendor to be an elite level talent. wouldnt walk into that madrid side and id imagine that would be a factor considering how important game time has been for his development this far. Germany is the trodden path so maybe italy, join a top side and arguably start both domestic and european games and has the attributes to boss it. end of his second season there and still only be 21. Could see him in the prem with us mind but for his development i wonder beneficial that will be as we'd inevitably be quite weak comparatively.
If he can make himself into a bit part player at Madrid he will instantly come into contention for England caps, looking at Madrid's squad they probably have room for another midfielder who is willing to come off the bench more often than start, a bit like Dani Ceballos does for them now.
When you think of how quickly Rigg and Watson settled into the first team and played very well, I would suggest Ogunsuyi would be another who could provide an almost instant impact. He’s having/had a great season playing for the second side, just as Rigg and Watson did before playing for the first team and giving him a second half for a few games might show we have another gem and would also put to bed any other club trying to lure him away. We might just have the striker we all want already here. We could also combine his and Trai (Hume’s) name for a chant which would be more economical.
