Not to mention AA leaving, and Poveda being injured for the majority of the season, he was supposed to be the man to give direct competition for Roberts
Yep. It just doesn’t phase me the thought of losing players tbh I believe the club will do the right thing. People are acting like we’re going to sell several of our assets on deadline day without a contingency. On another note we seem to have gone from being in that situation over the last few seasons where we had loads of younguns battling for the same positions to now having to leave out substantially better players who are battling for positions. Watson leaving would be a shame but I won’t be losing any sleep over what could be.
The club didn't lose two strikers or anyone else ... ... they knew exactly where they were. Be honest now, you play Football Manager on your computer don't you?
I suspect this is closest to the truth. It’s likely very simple- established good premier league team with good reputation for developing players and probably ten times current salary( roughly 25k?) vs challenging for promotion, quite likely to struggle if promoted side with excellent reputation for developing youngsters and a salary of perhaps half what’s on offer at Brighton. It’s probably only the emotional connection that gives us any chance at all of him staying.
You also have to consider the fact that any professional footballer is 1 serious injury away from hampering their career. Brighton do have a good reputation for developing players but he also has to consider the financial advantages that would come with a move. Red and white tinted glasses taken off and it's a good move for the kid
You’re right we have. But those areas are down to thin numbers, a couple of extra bodies to provide competition and give us another option if the likes of cirkin/Roberts/Isidor get injured could be the difference in the run in. The squad will have been improved after the window is shut imo.
Some nonsense people taking about Watson mind. If he does it's the price we have agreed and we have allowed the player to go.
So either way the player will have wanted to leave right? Can’t see us selling him if he wanted to stay and sign a new deal mind
Money-wise and status-wise, Watson going to Brighton makes good sense for him. Not sure if it is the best career move in the long term though. At the end of the day, he and his advisors can only do what they think is best after weighing things up.
"lost" is an interesting term. Neither Connolly nor Rusyn were important parts of our squad so the fact they have left doesn't necessarily weaken us. The Alese injury is of course a blow, but lets be honest with our assessment of the squad
The problem is that attracting those bodies to sit on the bench, at best, isn't easy ... ... if those three aren't injured they might not get a game this season. And they probably wouldn't be better than those three, not even as good so therefore not much competition. So we end up with three players on 2/3 year contracts who aren't ready for the PL if we go up. Not easy in my opinion.
Nah not easy at all. Would say id want players who think they’ll get in ahead of those we’re talking about. Wouldn’t want those who fear they’re not good enough. Tough job for the club, but possibly a good problem to have
I think it’s fairly fine for people to want some more bodies in for depth. I think we definitely need it and so does RLB which is why we are looking for it and why he’s mentioned it himself many times
To be better than Cirkin, Isidor and Roberts we'd be looking at spending £15/20m though ... ... after committing to Isidor and Le Fée, I don't see that happening tbh.
True. Tbf don’t think in December we thought we’d improve on rigg and then Le fee walked through the door. Exciting 48 hours ahead potentially mate.