Just need to get rid of the other hoofer Nosworthy and then we will be able to play from the back and look like a 2012 side not a 1972 side.
I think both tiny and eustace need to look after their own careers which are coming to and end on the pitch. For that reason i'm glad john was injured when he was which got him out of the window. Both will be moving into the ranks of coaching in the not to distant future and we're no longer the great opportunity in this area we used to be, a sad loss but onwards and upwards. Losing interest in watford, never..... whether we're champions league or BSQ they're still my hornets....
I've seen Joel Ekstand play as a 19 year old for Helsingborg a few times and he was highly rated then, After a couple of years developing in Italy he should be good enough as a replacement for replace Martin Taylor. I know they played him as right-back at Udinese by I remember him as playing centre-back for HIF. I've no doubt given him the kiss of death and he'll go and do a Woodgate on his début and we'll never hear from him again. By the way no one ever calls him Lars, he's properly named after his dads, he's only ever been called Joel here in Sweden.
Just saw this in the local paper about Joel Ekstrand. Translated from Swedish "Joel Ekstrand to Watford Defender Joel Ekstrand, who previously played in the HIF, loaned to Watford in the English second league from Italian Udinese. Ekstrand was earlier this week near a transfer to Dutch club Groningen, but it turned out they could not afford the former Helsingborg player. "I was close to going to Groningen, but I am pleased that it was Watford. I will get to play there and I need tough games" says Ekstrand to Soccer Channel. Watford coached by former player profile Gianfranco Zola."
True if we want Zola's style of play to work but the most important thing is that as defenders they can defend... No point in looking pretty if you cannot do the basics.
So we ship out an experienced CB & 2 young pros one of which capped at international level & bring in a young Swede on loan with no Championship experience. The Watford we knew does not exist anymore. Most of these 14 (I think as I've lost count) won't see the 1st team sheet but they are here to develope & grow and are taking space away from our young pro's. Murray & Hoban being exceptions to this but all the others will be marginalised.
Shame he has left. Very experienced, seems a good leader and thought he did ok in the new system too, but can't really blame him for wanting to go... I expect he's on a longer contract, on more money and would be nearer 'home'. Thanks Tiny
Desperately sad to see Tiny go, I thought he could play out of defence well (certainly not a hoofer as Mitch insinuated). However, he is 32, and I suspect this is nothing to do with level of wages, or not being guaranteed first team football, but more to do with the length of contract. At 32, to get a 3 year contract seems to be an opportunity that he probably couldn't turn down. I suspect that contract extension discussions had gone on behind the scenes and we had not offered as long a contract. Lets bear in mind this will be his last 'large' contract, and from a championship side to wrap it up for three years is a great deal for the played himself. The decision to leave is unlikely to have been whether he is first choice, the amount he earns, but more about the stability of the length of contract. Great player, really sorry to see him go.
I think we'd be going some to emulate that 72 side. I remember it only too well - Bill Baxter, Dave Butler, Ron Wigg, Mike Packer.... 19 points from 42 games (2 points for a win), 5 wins, 9 draws - 4 points from 21 away games, 9 consecutive home league losses + a 4-1 home defeat to Notts County in the cup. On the brighter side however, still took 3 points out of 4 from our scummer friends - 16% of our total! But perhaps Mitch you meant another 1972 side?
Sad to see Taylor go, thought he did a great job at a time when the club was struggling both on and off the pitch. Great aerial presence who many opposition fans commented upon as being the stand-out player. A great deal for Taylor and Sheffield Wednesday, good luck to Tiny.
There were some world class teams that still get talked about in the 70s.. I know what you mean albeit pitches and football boots etc were slightly different then! On a serious note its like anything in life..if that system works no-one will complain that much but if it doesn't the club will know about it.
