Watford v Blackpool Slav's injury ravaged Hornets face lowly Blackpool at the Vic this Saturday. After this game, Watford then have Rotherham at home, before a tougher run of games that are: 28th Jan Boro (a) 4th Feb Reading (a) 11th Feb Bburn (h) 14th Feb Burnley (a) 18th Feb WBA (h) 25th Feb Sheff Utd (a) Picking up six points over the next two games is paramount to maintain Watford's top six status in the table. Blackpool, who are currently sitting in the relegation zone, smashed a limp Watford 3-1 in the reverse fixture. Bilic said after that, "I feel almost embarrassed. It's not only disappointment, it's not only three points, it's the way we lost it." Which could be said after a fair few games this season. January hasn't been that busy so far, Watford have signed Kone, which should help in midfield. Ferreira, who might be more of a future prospect. Finally, attacker Martins seems to have some paperwork issues. Despite the club announcing him on the 14th December, and saying he will be available to play in January, he hasn't made an apprerance yet. Therefore, Slav has to piece together the best eleven he can from the unbroken players he has. Team news to follow, with updates from the Watford General WFC Wing. Enjoy the game.
Martins' paperwork issues are only half the story - it seems he's off to Columbia soon for the South American U20 Championships, held from 19th January to 12th February. I'll be surprised if we see him before the WBA match on the 18th Feb... Meanwhile, on a brighter note, fingers crossed for this - Watford hopeful of midfielder injury return for Blackpool as blow suffered by ex-Aston Villa man - LancsLive
https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/23243258.udinese-signing-martins-loaned-watford-june/ Hopefully the paperwork should now be completed quickly following the announcement that Udinese have signed Matheus Martins on a four year contract and that he will be on loan at Watford until June 2023. The announcement in 'udineseblog.it' is quite brief and is based a report by the Italian journalist, Gianluca Di Marzio. I suspect that his contract with Udinese is for four-and-a-half years, which would make more sense. He will not be playing in the South American U-20 tournament in Colombia. He was selected in the original squad, but he was one of eight Brazilian players (including Endrick of Palmeiras, who will be joining Real Madrid in 2024) who were not released by their clubs. Andrew French writes that "reports in Brazil say he is one of a number of players whose club sides have requested permission to miss the tournament." However, a revised U-20 squad list was published by the Brazilian Football Confederation on 4th January and none of the eight players (who were not released by their clubs) are now listed in the squad. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_South_American_U-20_Championship_squads
I'm confused by the Martin's situation. Surely he signed to us or Udinese months ago? Why now? He's been training with us since the beginning of December. Can anyone enlighten me or is it just another Pozzo mystery they will not explain.
I know that. That's not what I'm asking. He has been with us for at least 6 weeks now, who owned him during those 6 weeks, us, Udinese or a 3rd party? The work permit would of been applied for by either of the clubs 6 weeks ago if the ownership was straight forward. Why now has he flown from us to Udinese to sign, have we sold him on to them like Kamara? With the loan back? Why now? Why not 6 weeks ago? It makes no sense.
I am guessing, but I think that he probably does now have a work permit. The club website mentions only that he is waiting for international clearance (which is relatively straight forward compared with a work permit). The BBC website also reports that he is waiting for international clearance and that he may be able to pay on Saturday if it arrives in time.
I haven't a clue really - but doesn't the Brazilian season end in December? If so, he could have been over here training instead of kicking his heels in Brazil.
The club has not been transparent, but one possibility is that there has been a delay in deciding whether Watford should sign Martins or whether Udinese should sign Martins before loaning him to Watford. Perhaps there are financial issues involved or perhaps Watford are worried about the number of loan players whom they sign. Who knows?
Quite- obviously a change of plan potentially as to how the deal would be done . Probably didn’t want to join permanently!
I was also thinking that could be another possible reason. Perhaps Martins decided that he did want to stay beyond June if Watford fail to gain promotion.
Either way re Martins, it's shoddy that it took* so long to sort out. It was inicially on the club website in early December. EDIT: is taking*
Blackpool will be full of confidence after their FA Cup win. It's impossible to know what to expect from Watford really with all the injuries. I'm just hoping to see a motivated, committed performance, even if it doesn't prove enough to take the points.
Seems like Hamza back, and Leandro out. https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/23248448.watford-choudhury-back-blackpool-game/ Not a word on Martins either.
New right back ready to play. Think Bilic said Martins arrived yesterday but who knows if that means he is available
