Kabaselle and Cathcart did relatively well for us over the past few seasons, Ekong is Nigerian captain I believe and Sierralta only got his chance due to injuries If we can score the goals we need we will be ok, we cannot rely on 1-0 wins or 0-0 draws
Fair points and they have done well in 2 games out of the 3 this season too. Think people panic about injuries as well but then you could say that about all the squad. Plus some seem to think once a player is 30ish they are rubbish and need to be moved on.
I think that the main concern of people on this forum - if I understand correctly - is whether there is sufficient cover for the central defenders rather than the quality of the centre-backs. Both Kabasele and Cathcart have been unavailable due to injury for long periods of time during the past two or three seasons. Troost Ekong is likely to be missing for a minimum of five weeks when he attends AFCON at the beginning of next year. Sierralta may be unavailable for a number of games if he is suspended by FIFA and then he is called up again by Chile during the next international window. The quarantine rules for countries on the red list are still likely to be in place. Let us hope that he is suspended for only five days after the international window if FIFA applies sanctions and follows their standard rule.
It now seems that he may have been - Cagliari reportedly turned down a 'last minute' bid from us as they didn't want him to go until January.
For what it's worth , the average of the squad exc. goal keepers is 26.5. (The average age of the midfielders is however, 28.8.) I think that's ok.
Yes agreed . Anyway age shouldn’t be a barrier if they are good enough ! A fair summary. All 4 would probably be fine but there is that injury concerns but then as I say anyone could get injured . Of course people jump on WTE saying he is rubbish as he made that mistake at Brighton. But he did fine at Spurs and probably one player who could mentally cope with making an error .
January must be getting near - we're being linked with another Brazilian teenager. Midfielder Bruno Praxedes of RP Bragantino - one of their 'marquee players'. https://www.caughtoffside.com/2021/09/27/report-watford-has-its-eyes-on-rb-bragantino-starlet/
Surprised at the news Watford are looking at Bruno Praxedes. Cleiton (24 years and 1.90m) the goalkeeper and the strikers Artur (23 years and 1.63m -tiny) and Alerrandro (21 years and 1.76m) would be a better bet, even if they are a bit older.
Straight from the horse's mouth. https://tntsports.com.br/futebolbra...clubes-europeus-diz-jornal-20210927-0016.html
Experienced central defender signed. Been in France and Italy so Ranieri will probably know him well.
Well Liverpool couldn't prise him out of Watford, so I'm not sure what chance the Geordies have. Unless they throw silly money our way - which, to be perfectly honest, I don't think Sarr is worth as he's too inconsistent.
Looks like some in the media agree - silly money. £100m according to this... https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/ismaila-sarr-newcastle-watford-transfer-25329263
Interesting dilemma, we scored four goals and played better after Sarr was substituted against Everton but he has been our star player in other matches Would we be better off with three slightly less talented players who form a perfect combination, or Sarr and two other players who dont form a perfect combination GT wanted a STAR team without STAR players as they would work better for each other Is £100m from Newcastle too good to turn down when we could then recruit a couple of world class defenders