Bit disappointing really that despite 10 new signings we cannot put out an entirely new team to keep the opposition guessing. Suppose one or two from last year will force their way in.
I knew we had to bring in quite a few due to the 25 man squad but wasn't expecting quite so many. Neither was I expecting quite so many at the prices we have paid. It does appear good value overall though. Last years team had plenty of potential in the PL and as we all developed a relationship with them I think we hoped most of them would have a lead role to play but now it seems those that stay will find it hard to break into the team. Well, I guess that's football!
Pure conjecture and total twaddle perhaps but, with the signings as it stands I think we'll have the following squad: 1. Gomes 2.Nyom 3. Holebas 4. Angella 5. Prodl 6. Cathcart* 7. Capoue 8. Jurado 9. Deeney* (c) 10. Watson* 11. Berghuis 12. Britos 13. Arlauskis 14. Pudil 15. Parades 16. Behrami 17. Murray* 18. Vydra 19. Forestieri 20. Ighalo 21. Anya* 22. Abdi 23. Hoban* 24. Lewis* 25. Gilmartin* Layun to Granada initially, Smith and Doyley farmed out for the season. If Gestede does sign then I reckon Forestieri will make way. If we get Immer as well then.....
Layun is def confirmed in the squad number 19 apparently. Also Lewis & Holban don't need to be named in the 25 man team as they are under 21 on the qualifying date. So that means more players still to come - 2 I reckon but there are stories of 3 shortly.
Doesn't there still need to be 7 home grown in the squad though, so even though they are u21 unless we sign home grown players they will need to be included in the 25?
I was reading it as 8 but I agree with you on principle. Laws of the Game I get. The rules of the various leagues remain a bit of a mystery. With my squad selection I was just doodling with nothing better to do (we didn't buy anyone) this lunchtime... "the thoughts of chairman Fez". Very happy to include Layun, I think he'll come good this season. A bit more versatile than many others.
Funny how they talk about how many we've signed and not how many have been released. A couple of my big 6 supporting mates were digging me about this - I did point out that they always talk about "net" spend so it's only fair to do the same in terms of ins and outs.
As I said before we've actually lost a few players in positions where we would have needed improvement anyway. Will all those other teams struggle as well? Thing is if we didn't buy hardly anyone people would be asking "have they improved enough"? I understand the claims it could take them a while to gel or adjust but then that could be the risk for any signing (even a world class player..) After all look how Lloyd Dyer gelled with the rest of the team squad and adjusted to not being in the team.. Behaving like a spoilt brat.
It doesn't look as if we will be seeing this one again. http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sp...emains_a_Hornet_but_is_training_with_Udinese/
Appears to have signed for the season according to WO http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sp...3581721.Hornets_agree_loan_deal_for_Diamanti/
WO: Watford have signed Chelsea defender Nathan Ake on loan for the rest of the season. The Hornets first approached the Blues over a move for the 20-year-old last month. But their enquiry was rebuffed as the Premier League champions would not let Ake leave as he provided cover for first-choice left-back Cesar Azpilicueta. However, Chelsea are believed to be close to completing a deal for Augsburg's left-back Baba Rahman and have decided to allow Ake to continue his development at Vicarage Road. The Dutch Under-21 international joined Chelsea in July 2011 from Feyenoord and helped the club’s Under-18s lift the FA Youth Cup in his first season. He made his debut for Jose Mourinho’s side on Boxing Day 2012 as a late substitute in a victory at Norwich City. He has gone on to make 11 further first-team appearances at Stamford Bridge and also spent a month on loan at Reading during the previous campaign. Prior to completing his season-long switch to Watford, Chelsea announced Ake has signed a new five-year deal with the club. please log in to view this image FROM KEVIN AFFLECK: The Chelsea defender trained with his new teammates at London Colney this morning but given the way the Hornets played at Everton and the fact Quique Sanchez Flores likes anyone in his starting XI to have trained all week, he is unlikely to feature against West Bromwich Albion tomorrow even though he has signed in time. Expect him to make his full debut, along with Miguel Britos, in the Capital One Cup tie at Preston North End later this month. We have been told Watford have not had to fork out a loan fee or had to agree that the 20-year-old has to play a certain number of games during his stay at Vicarage Road. He has been signed to provide cover and competition for Etienne Capoue and Valon Behrami in the holding midfield positions while also providing a more than useful alternative for Jose Holebas at left-back. His arrival is likely to spell the end of Daniel Pudil’s time at the club. As well as the attraction of his versatility, Ake is classed as an Under-21 player and therefore will not take up a spot in the 25-man squad at the end of the month. Having played in the Champions League and used by Jose Mourinho at the back end of the title-winning Premier League campaign, Ake was coveted by Aston Villa, Genoa and clubs in Germany. His signature therefore represents yet another coup by the recruitment team at Vicarage Road and underlines the growing appeal of Watford being situated on the outskirts of London. Ake spent a month on loan at Reading last year, playing five games and impressed with his attitude and application at the Madejski Stadium. “He was efficient in everything he did,” said one member of staff who worked with him at Reading. “He was only with us for a short time but he won it, got it, gave it simple and won his tackles. He came into a team that wasn’t performing particularly well. He could have hidden but he didn’t. He does his job doesn’t make mistakes and is a seven out of 10 every week. He’s not a big lad but he’s tough. He took a couple of knocks in one game and just got on with it.” Not as dynamic as Nathaniel Chalobah, Ake played largely as a holding midfielder and filled in on one occasion at left back during his short time time with the Royals. “You would never know he came from a bigger club,” added the source. “He’s not loud, is very quiet and unassuming. I met him in the canteen on the first day and he said hello and he was the same person when he left Full name Nathan Benjamin Aké[1] Date of birth (1995-02-18) 18 February 1995 (age 20) Place of birth The Hague, Netherlands Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[2] Playing position Defender Club information Current team Watford (on loan from Chelsea) Youth career ADO Den Haag 2007–2011 Feyenoord 2011–2012 Chelsea Senior career* Years Team Apps† (Gls)† 2012– Chelsea 5 (0) 2015 → Reading (loan) 5 (0) 2015– → Watford (loan) 0 (0) National team‡ 2009–2010 Netherlands U15 5 (0) 2010–2011 Netherlands U16 6 (3) 2011–2012 Netherlands U17 26 (3) 2012–2013 Netherlands U19 8 (3) 2013– Netherlands U21 13 (2) * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:27, 18 May 2015 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:54, 13 November 2014 (UTC)
Now confirmed: http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sp...08859.Watford_announce_Diamanti_loan_signing/ Seen as a 'second striker' by our coach ermm..... ..... he can score a few seemingly... Personal information Date of birth (1983-05-02) 2 May 1983 (age 32) Place of birth Prato, Italy Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1] Playing position Attacking midfielder Club information Current team Watford (on loan from Guangzhou Evergrande) Senior career* Years Team Apps† (Gls)† 1999–2007 Prato 72 (23) 2000–2001 → Empoli (loan) 0 (0) 2001–2002 → Fucecchio (loan) 24 (3) 2002–2003 → Florentia Viola (loan) 3 (0) 2004–2006 → AlbinoLeffe (loan) 26 (0) 2007–2009 Livorno 63 (24) 2009–2010 West Ham United 28 (7) 2010–2011 Brescia 32 (6) 2011–2014 Bologna 83 (19) 2014– Guangzhou Evergrande 24 (4) 2015 → Fiorentina (loan) 11 (2) 2015– → Watford (loan) 0 (0) National team‡ 2010–2013 Italy 17 (1) Honours[show] Competitor for please log in to view this image Italy Association football UEFA Euro please log in to view this image Poland & Ukraine 2012 FIFA Confederations Cup please log in to view this image Brazil 2013 * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18 May 2015. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 04:18, 19 November 2013 (UTC)
Only 17 from abroad in a squad of 25, I believe now. So 8 must be home grown and above the age of 21, or the squad won´t be the full 25.
But the youngsters don't count either way. I don't see it being the big problem others do. However I see no room for Pudil Parades Ekstrand (not fit before xmas when we resubmit) and Fessi (alas) - if there is a shock departure it will be him. Ighalo and Layun to stay.
