Summer Transfer Window 2018

[Het-Field]

We should be looking at a proven PL deep midfielder if we want to move on defensively from last season. Milivojevic, Schneiderlin, Capoue, Gueye, Ndidi, Romeu, Lemina....appreciate most of those won’t be for sale

Given watford’s turnover rate I do wonder if Capoue in particular is worth an enquiry.

I thought we made efforts for Capoue in January, which were rebuffed?

I think he'd be an excellent addition, and has been very important for Watford over the years.

[fjthegrey]

Far too much emphasis being placed on specific defensive stats for holding mids. That position probably has the highest amount of intangible skill, things that don't show after the box ticking is totted up.

Kante is the best in the game at what he does, by an absolute mile as well. If he isn't top of the stat charts then you can disregard them.

[hammer1975]

FJ, whilst i’d agree that you shouldn’t make a decision on stats based on general flow of the game etc - I do think aerial stats for the team are important for set pieces. Ours were relatively poor last season - Ginge and Kouyate aside - and we conceded more from set pieces than anyone I believe.

[Peaches]

A defensive midfielder that would suit us better perhaps is 23 year old ex Arsenal and Newcastle player , Isaac Hayden - I'd like to see us make them an offer for him should Obiang be sold to Sampdoria .

I’d be very happy with this. While Hayden hasn’t always played for Newcastle, when he did play, he looked like a proper responsible defensive midfielder.

[YorksHammer]

A defensive midfielder that would suit us better perhaps is 23 year old ex Arsenal and Newcastle player , Isaac Hayden - I'd like to see us make them an offer for him should Obiang be sold to Sampdoria .

Hayden was excellent for Newcastle in the season they were promoted. Less of an impact last season but a lot less games too, and he also saw a lot less of the ball - about 20 passes per game on average compared to 45 in the Championship.

I'd like him here.

I still think Alexis Blin would be great for us, from Toulouse. Really combative, bit of bite to him, and young at 21. Would know Diop well so
they'd probablyy serve to settle each other.

[jaybs]

Hope if our only real striker at the moment should leave, that we have a Top Striker in mind to replace him!

[Norbert_Up_Norf]

A defensive midfielder that would suit us better perhaps is 23 year old ex Arsenal and Newcastle player , Isaac Hayden - I'd like to see us make them an offer for him should Obiang be sold to Sampdoria .

Has asked to leave Newcastle too - wants to return south I believe.

Did well last season although primarily used to lock things down later in games. Whether he has the discipline to fulfill that role against better players and for longer periods is untested. Rafa seemed reluctant to rely on him...

[hammernsickle]

Far too much emphasis being placed on specific defensive stats for holding mids. That position probably has the highest amount of intangible skill, things that don't show after the box ticking is totted up.

Kante is the best in the game at what he does, by an absolute mile as well. If he isn't top of the stat charts then you can disregard them.

Excellent post. There is no statistic for "harrying a player for twenty yards until he gets so flustered he makes a mistake and gives possession away."

[Wilko1304]

To sigh loudly with words, I was merely bringing up those stats as an interest with these players.

Difficult to judge many things, cos we lack some intangibles like energy, short bursts of acceleration, height, passing under pressure and well, discipline etc

But I do think we need someone who wins the ball back in difficult situations, which Badou’s stats are ok for.

[fjthegrey]

I didn't mean you specifically dude. It's been a consistent feature in the thread.

[Wilko1304]

I didn't mean you specifically dude. It's been a consistent feature in the thread.

I think I was replying to that same back and forth that comes with stats and then the reaction to stats that comes up each time, like Kumb transfer thread bingo, so didn’t mean you specifically either

Bloody lovely manners though, FJ. An absolute joy

[szola]

Far too much emphasis being placed on specific defensive stats for holding mids. That position probably has the highest amount of intangible skill, things that don't show after the box ticking is totted up.

Kante is the best in the game at what he does, by an absolute mile as well. If he isn't top of the stat charts then you can disregard them.

You need to know what you are looking for.

Kante is leading the stats on successful tackles in midfield. Best out of any player in any top league.

No position is out of the statisticians range.

What is difficult though is the multi-dimensional analysis that is in essence how a team perform.

Two good holding players are sometimes required for a tactic to work, sometimes one. Even more important is the emphasis on the transition stage. That is primarily down to the manager/head coach to implement.

If the World Cup can provide a pointer, a successful team is excellent at switching from attacking to defending.

[fjthegrey]

That's been the case for more than a decade though. Mourinho's entire philosophy is based on transitions. He builds his teams to be near bullet proof when the ball is surrendered due to how dangerous he deems those phases. Its why his teams are generally dull, nobody ever breaks on them, or they struggle to.

[Wilko1304]

The current buzz is on “packing” which is how many people are beaten by a pass. I think it’s why Xhaka was highly thought of before Arsenal, being of importance in that role of quick transition.

If you beat three men with a pass from your own area and you’re getting close to getting at the opposition’s backline.

[Calverley Hammer]

So if reports are correct Obiang will be the first to leave (gianluca di marzio). That must mean we have a CDM target lined up surely ?

Reports also putting 2 + 2 and making 5 by suggesting a swap deal with Antonio + cash for Zaha. Can’t say I fancy that myself (for the money involved).

[Ozza]

You wouldn’t want Zaha here?

[Calverley Hammer]

You wouldn’t want Zaha here?

As a swap with Antonio ? Of course

As Antonio + £30m ? No chance

[Rocketron]

So if reports are correct Obiang will be the first to leave (gianluca di marzio). That must mean we have a CDM target lined up surely ?

Reports also putting 2 + 2 and making 5 by suggesting a swap deal with Antonio + cash for Zaha. Can’t say I fancy that myself (for the money involved).

Hasn't Zaha said he wants to move for CL football?

[the celestial insect]

Far too much emphasis being placed on specific defensive stats for holding mids. That position probably has the highest amount of intangible skill, things that don't show after the box ticking is totted up.

Kante is the best in the game at what he does, by an absolute mile as well. If he isn't top of the stat charts then you can disregard them.

This is something I was thinking watching Carvalho at the WC. What you can't measure is how often his positioning was exactly right to cut off options when the opposing team had possession. He seemed to make very few challenges for a DM, but his positional play was mostly spot on, which pre-empted having to make some challenges.

[TommyHammer]

Hasn't Zaha said he wants to move for CL football?

No disrespect to Zaha, very talented player, but worthy of starting for any of last season's top 4 sides? I think not.