I wonder how many times they will mention mangers and sackings? Sounds like Edwards has done a couple of interviews.
There go all the Udinese importa. Hollowhead will be pleased. Will be a busier summer than i thought. Indeed.
Elton has been in touch with the new man. https://mobile.twitter.com/WD18Fans/status/1540010559067660288
Looks like Cleverly might be captain next season I hope his legs hold out ok, next season will be tough on minds and bodies
Yes - that thought hasn't gone down well but there aren't too many other options. Well apart from another older player people don't want in the team!
I think Troy capably demonstrated that a captain's role isn't confined to the pitch though - it also covers the dressing room. If TC has the respect of the rest of the playing squad, it may well prove to be an astute move.
Watford v Cambridge United - Saturday July 2, 1pm (Watford FC training ground, behind closed doors) Watford v Qatar - Sunday July 10, 1pm (Austria) Watford v Bolton Wanderers - Tuesday July 12, 3pm (Watford FC training ground, behind closed doors) Watford v Wycombe Wanderers - Saturday July 16, 1pm (Watford FC training ground, behind closed doors) Watford v Southampton - Saturday July 23, 3pm (Grosvenor Vale, Wealdstone FC) No friendlies will be played at Vicarage Road due to pitch care priorities after infrastructure relating to the Sir Elton John concerts has been removed from the stadium, however there will be a chance to watch Rob Edwards’ side in action in a fixture with Southampton at Wealdstone FC.
Seems that the game against Qatar has ruffled a few feathers. "WOW and @ProudHornets are very disappointed that Watford FC will play the Qatar national team at its training camp. We urge our team to display its support for all human rights, the LGBT+ community and women’s rights at the game, and will discuss this directly with the club."
You can see why .. Particularly as the club try to be very careful they include all fans and diversity.
Surely being diverse covers everyone and everything, I am not in favour tho personally At least we have not sold the club and our souls to them
It's a tricky issue and, human nature being what it is, one that is unlikely ever to be resolved to everyone's satisfaction. Three questions spring to my mind - 1. Have any of those who intend to "discuss this directly with the club" similarly discussed England's participation in the World Cup directly with the FA? 2. Do any of them intend to publicly boycott the World Cup, or will they still watch from their armchairs or bar stools? 3. Has EJ made any comments on this - or has anyone from the above group approached him for comment? I've been against the World Cup being held in Qatar since it was first announced - but more because of the corruption involved in the awarding process, and the mid-season disruption it will cause to our domestic fixtures. And given that Scotland and New Zealand didn't qualify, my viewing will now be limited to just three games - Australia's group matches. Beyond that, I don't really have much interest in the competition.
Apparently someone has said Elton has done concerts before in such countries and as you say many will probably be watching the World Cup only worrying about the football. Just unfortunate timing given we are hosting Elton and the club are big on supporting all sectors of society and anti discrimination- quite rightly too .
Yes difficult/complex situation - Where do you draw the line, do you refuse to play Newcastle for example on the same grounds? And if we discovered an unbelievable talent in the Qatari squad who we wanted to sign, would they be welcomed to our club irrespective of their values/upbringing?
It is unfortunate, but to paraphrase Abraham Lincoln, you can please some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time - but you can't please all of the people all of the time. Some things just are the way they are, and that will never change - public attitudes to 'taking the knee' at football matches across the world highlighted that.
Thinking back in time to the days of Apartheid in South Africa, there were two schools of thought amongst musicians who were invited to play there. Some bands said no way will we go, while others did go in the belief that contact with the outside world would be a good thing. It seems to be a similar argument even if the issue is different.
I remember only too well the trouble over South Africa's Rugby tour of Australia back in the early 70s. A state of emergency was declared in Queensland as protestors from around the globe arrived in their droves for the three matches played in Brisbane. I attended two of those and the violence was something else - from both the protestors and the riot police who circled the touch lines. And it was all for nothing really - the matches all went ahead and apartheid persisted for another twenty years, only ending after a prisoner was set free and started dialogue with the South African government. That's the sort of level at which 'protest' should take place - dialogue between governments or, at the very least, between FAs and FIFA.
