More; Jon Marks ‏@jonmarks72 Peterborough sign #watfordfc striker Britt Assombalonga for a club record fee on 4 year deal & say he was their number one summer target. A club record fee... any idea how much the Posh record fee was before? EDIT: According to Wiki; Highest Transfer Fee Paid – £1.1m (rising to £1.4m) to Crawley Town for Tyrone Barnett, February 2012
Shows we still rate him but then why not just send Britt out on loan. Then again not many clubs can turn down 1 million plus for a 20 year who hasn't played much above League Two!
Sounds like we were reluctant to let him leave so maybe Britt pushed for a permanent move rather than another loan. With who he has ahead of him, he is at least 5th or 6th choice now. Good we have first option to buy back.
Am not sure that that is such a good thing - if, over the next two years, his value increases thanks to goal scoring exploits, what price would we have to pay for our 'own product'? (less, of course, our sell-on fee.) Posh chairman has been quoted as saying "..smash our transfer record.." which suggests a good deal more than £1.1M - good business for an untried youngster really...
Milk Cup result; Watford Talk ‏@WatfordTalk FT: Watford 10-0 San Luis De Colina 3 wins out of 3
Sordell might be going to Charlton on loan. Also the BBC might be talking sense here: Watford Manager: Gianfranco Zola Last season: 3rd Best summer signing: Gabriele Angella One to watch: Javier Acuna BBC Three Counties Radio's Geoff Doyle: "Despite some high-profile criticism for their use of loan players last season, Watford undoubtedly played some of the best football that has been seen at Vicarage Road for a long time. "They ended as the top scorers in the division and, with permanent deals now secured for a number of key players from last season, they look likely to challenge at the top of the table once again. "Head coach Gianfranco Zola developed an exciting brand of attacking football and, with the backing of the Pozzo family, is building a squad that looks strong in all departments. The players that so nearly got promotion last season now have the experience of the Championship and I would expect them to learn from that this time around. "If the Hornets can overcome the weight of expectation and can cope with being one of the favourites for promotion, then they could go one better than last year." http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23433504 From the link of the review of the Championship -
Although 'we' rate him he is untested. What if he has a shocking season what will his value be then 100-150K. Take the money whilst you can and worry about rebuying if the opportunity/need arises.
Favourites for promotion with who? Certainly not the bookies. But I'm sure the club are not phased by that!!
Report here on the Milk Cup game from yesterday. http://www.nimilkcup.org/index.php?...ort-watford-fc-v-san-luis-de-colina&Itemid=98
That is true - as I say 1 million plus for a 20 year old who really hasn't played much above League Two is bound to be accepted - particularly when we consider the poll of players we could have in the future. As for Sordell - excellent move for him and Charlton. Back home in London so to speak and he will get goals (hopefully not against us)
Looks as if the transfer policy is all in hand. http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sp...y_important__European_clubs_to_sign_Belkalem/
True but isn't it getting thin on the ground for 6 out of 18? If there were injuries to any of them it may weaken the bench. Almunia - Brown - Deeney - McGugan - Doyley - Murray - Ikpeazu - Anya (?) - Mensah - Smith - Bond - Hoban - O'Nein - Nosworthy (?) - have i missed any? So that's 2 I'm not sure qualify, 2 out long term injured, 3 that are 1st year pros with one foot still in the Academy, 2 second year pros with great potential but little experience, 1 MU reject who is likely to warm the bench most of the time, that leaves 4 only guaranteed to match the standard required. Of course I'm being unfair & intentionaly argumentative - It's just that good quality 'home grown' has left and needs strengthening - not just numbers.
That looks about right except Almunia. He came thought Spanish academies so doesn't count as 'home grown'. So who will be in most match day squads? I would suggest at least Bond, Deeney, McGugan, Anya, Doyley, Hoban then would say one of Nos or Brown. I think Murray and Smith might be in and around the first team too. Then there is going to be the domestic loans that will count. Zola has said he is after a domestic CM (on top of Hogg's replacement). None of these actually need to start though and can just have 6 on the bench!
I'm not too sure that Almunia qualifies - he came to England nine years ago when he was 27, so can hardly be deemed 'home grown'. I don't think that injuries need have any bearing on the make up of the match day squad - seven on the bench of whom only three can play anyway, so, if need be, there's nothing to stop one or two injured players sitting on the bench just to make up the quota. Of course, fans of other clubs & certain media hacks would no doubt see that as cheating or 'against the spirit of the game'.
