thunderball

I've been tough on McGinn, but he was OK today, stepped up, but the midfield was generally over run by the pressing tactics. His goal was worthy of it alone in anotherwise forgettable game.

I have been thinking about this, I think Jack leaving is in fact a net positive: During Jack's England appearances I was screaming at the TV "get it to Jack" but realising that there are 11 very good players on the field, all capable of something. I feel thats what we evolved into and what I always expected, everyone deffered to Jack and perhaps didnt dig deep into themselves. We have very talented players, I think they will be better for not always looking to getting it to Jack. I even think Jacks personal stats were great at the expense of others in the side, because he demanded the ball all the time. I think we need to find a new way of playing, the second half showed we have talent, with more to come. I thought we gave the ball away too cheaply and had not idea on our outlet ball: no triangle or link up. Maybe thats why the kids shone in pre-season because they all played together and found their rythmn and colleagues. I thought Ransey really matured today. I am not surprised by today, I was cringing last night at our fan base ridiculing Arsenal as I thought the same fate awaited us. Watford had a terrific home record last season and have built on that, we were half strangers to each other. We need to learn new patterns of attack, but we have the talent to make the most of it, but it doesnt happen over night.

It was always a very long shot for me. So much to do this season, lots will yet happen this season, so many stories and dramas. It’s next season we are setting up for because Jack leaving is massive.

Watkins was part of the success in how we changed last season, his return will herald a more familiar pattern from which we can build.

P.s. I love Ashley Young

Lol, is any one really surprised? Looked better second half, it’s going to take until November to find our feet. McGinn looked ok, Ramsey looked good, Bailey and Traore looked like they will offer something more this season. Buendia needs to find his feet and where his team mates are going to be. Watkins will settle us down too. I think two ho e games will help, but don’t see more than 4 points from our “banker” 9, and TBH am not surprised at all. It’s a season of transition.

On that side yes, there’s more to come from there if we are complacent

Really not sure that would make a difference today, it’s all down their RHS on the break, we are just poor and rusty, no one knows where anyone is, there’s no space, no running because there is no space.

McGinn was OK, Nakamba showed signs of being more progressive, but wasn’t great on balance. Very much an unfamiliar bunch and a poor pre-season, would always struggle against a settled promoted team at home first game. Cannot see where a goal is coming from. AEG not contributing especially. Ramsey on LHS and Bailey on the right for me.

Top left for me. I don’t like the star being there, nor the bushy lions tail. Add the star over and outside the circle, as the Bayern badge, then when we win it again it’s easy to keep adding them up there, plenty of space. Man City have done a great job on theirs. I would love the old simple round ‘80s badge back.

You could be onto something here!

Run it past TRO first, but he seems to tick all his boxes! Incidentally I watched the game, he had a good outing, some lovely passes. Ramsey was excellent and Young also very bright, and they had a trialist who gave a good account of himself too.

Plenty on Twitter suggesting it has been a "nearly done" deal for a while, however. Some might say there is no smoke without fire?

I think it can only be Mings this season? However I would say the two senior players in the 'leadership' group who are looking over their shoulders come next year are Mings and McGinn. Both need solid seasons. Personally I think the 1st Team improves with better performances from these two positions which might be from improved form from Mings or McGinn, or newer, more capable and progressive players.

......................Emi M....................... Cash.....Konsa.....Mings.....Targett ...........McGinn....Nakamba........... Emi B...............Ings...............AEG .........................Ollie......................... 1. Steer 2. Bailey 3. Young 4. Hause 5. Checkweumeka 6. Philogene-Bidace 7. Traore 8. Hourihane 9. Tuenzebe With Sanson, Luiz plus one or two other possible signings this looks good, especially when Bailey is the starter and a possible upgrade on Nakamba. Thats a very strong squad for the season, you have to be happy with that and much better than last season.

Exactly my take, he's a pro, he has great work ethic and mindset, if you watch his clips he has a drive and determination and plays with his head up. Him and McGinn in midfield would be breathless, it would unburden our offensive players, both have energy and a decent passing range. They would be a perfect central pairing infront of Mings and Konsa as our solid middle ground allowing Cash, Targett/Young to push alongside and release Buendia, and the three forwards. .....but I dont see this transfer happening unfortunately.

Can’t wait. Excited by this guy. Looks like he’s carrying a little bit of timber, I am sure our conditioning guys will whip him into formidable shape soon enough.

Read the thread for context…

Exactly, I think we will now have several players for each position, and they will need to compete, I expect the weakest to be sold next Summer. And repeat…. I also think we will sell some at their peak and bring through replacements. Its taken a few years but following the next summer window, in 2022/23 season we should have a strong and deep squad. The headline players we will be buying will be £40-60m range, so the incremental quality will be notable.

I honestly think McGinn is at risk. The only way we are going to improve is by upping the quality of what we have. Midfield was weak last season. Anguissa is an upgrade on Nakamba/Luiz and JWP would be an upgrade on McGinn for me. Theres room for all in a squad though. I'd happiliy see a midfield 3 of Buendia, JWP and Anguissa. I also think we will look up upgrade Mings at some point. He's a great stopper, but the next step would be someone comfortable on the ball, the ability to bring it out with confidence and with a better passing range.

I would say he is definitely what we are after. I would say that Doucoure also looks very good and would be cheaper (but less experienced and never played in the UK). Doucoure is precisely the kind of player I expected our recruitment team to pick up - lesser known younger players with higher ceiling on ability and talent. He looks like he could be the £30-60m player of the future rather than Anguissa being the finished article and not too much value growth? However as we have the money Anguissa is less risky? Can we have both please?

I think Ollie is pencilled in as the left of a front three (Watkins, Ings, Bailey), so letting AEG go has a ring of logic to it. I think the goals last season paper over his overall contribution that could perhaps be better and more integrated into a team performance. His (lack of) assists are perhaps a better indicator of performance. For me he seems to deliver more of an individual performance rather than part of the team performance. Seems crazy when set against his terrific goals stats from last season though, but maybe we leverage his sale value on that and be grateful for the money. I think a 22yo Cantwell has a higher ceiling, but not sure where all these players will fit into the system(s)?

We need to plan for departures next summer too, ideally we need to bed in squad players who will step up into greater responsibility if they go. We have to accept that we will lose players again, and that’s ok and won’t cripple us, it’s built into the model (both middling and our very best players) but we need to have a bigger squad, it would also be great to be more competitive across all competitions this season. If we falter, or if they have outstanding seasons we might have pressure on any of Konsa, Mings, Watkins, Martinez, Buendia, Bailey if they perform, in fact it might then suit us to sell. We need the bigger squad to ensure we spread the load.

Delighted with Ings, he brings goals, no risk for me. Not sure Ollie looks as happy as he usually does though, or maybe I am paranoid.

I think they are very happy with £25m+ for Ings given his age and year left. We will have to pay over the odds for Ward Prowse, but some times you have to do it, I do think he could knit our midfield together nicely. Not sure I would prefer Anguissa though as he would be significantly cheaper. Quite fancy that Correa in addition too.