Judging by the price, Watkins is the standout signing for us so far. It's a lot for a player who's never played above the Championship, but he was stellar last season and has been steadily moving up over the last 3 years. And it's a position where we're desperate for somebody
At the moment Samatta and Davis are our only options up front. Neither established themselves last season. I haven't given up on Samatta as he's an experienced striker with a good record, and he came in at a difficult time. He may well come good, but we need other options, and so far Davis hasn't shown he can score goals. Wesley could take months to get back to his best.
So, nothing guaranteed, but I'm pretty sure Watkins will improve us, and if we can keep playing as we did at the end of last season I think we'll keep clear of trouble.
I see Cash as more filling out the squad, not necessarily as a Guilbert replacement. Guilbert was playing very well at the end of the season and he will be hard to displace. But Cash gives us options.
More signings would be useful, but so far these are positive, if not the world-class options we were dreaming of. Thoughts?
Villa signings
posted on 10/9/20
£42m on 2 players who have never played outside the Championship is hardly inspiring. When we stayed up on the final day we were promised we wouldn't be in the same position again and would push on this season. I don't think these signings really suggest we won't be in another relegation battle next season, but we are obviously trying to get more players in. We need some established quality players in because right now we cannot say with any certainty how the players we've brought in will do. For all we know Watkins could make the step up with ease, but we don't know. He got 26 goals in the Champ last season, for the money we've spent we'll be expecting around half of that amount in the Prem next season (minimum get into double figures) so he really has to step up for us. The Cash signing was odd because even though he cost a fair bit, I don't think he's better than what we've got.
I look at other clubs and they seem to be taking players we could with. Fulham bringing in Areola, we need a GK. Also Tete on his way who is a more established RB than the one we've brought in. Leeds bringing in Koch and Rodrigo. Newcastle signed some decent players in Wilson, Fraser and Lewis. Palace look like they're getting Batshuayi and have signed Eze, not a bad window for them. On the other hand, Wet Spam have had a poor window so far, Sheff U continue to sign players I've not heard of and will surely be in a relegation battle this season, Burnley who knows but they aren't signing anyone (they always seem to be safe but next season could struggle), Brighton are a bit quiet too. Also Wolves spent £35m on an 18 year old who scored 1 goal last season, which is silly money. So we're probably strengthening more than some teams but we need to bring in a couple of bigger name signings. Dean Smith for me needs to prove he can do this, so far I've not seen him make any big signings at the football club. We might not have won anything of note since 1982 but Wolves, Leeds and Everton haven't done jack for a long time either and Fulham, Newcastle, Brighton, Palace are not bigger clubs than us and don't have big name managers.
Hopefully we see some wow signings who can take us to the next level over the next week or so before the season starts. Otherwise I'll be worried.
posted on 10/9/20
comment by Wetherby White (U6810)
posted 15 minutes ago
Glad we didn't sign him, I thought when it really mattered, he was poor. 33M is ridiculous. We bought Spain's no 9 for less than that!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Make it sound like you've signed prime David Villa! Didn't Rodrigo get 4 goals last season? Still impressive you've signed Spain and Germany international players but I still think Leeds are being overhyped and will be in a relegation battle next season too. More likely to stay up than the other 2 though and you have a good manager, be interesting to see how his style of player works in the Prem against sides with much better players than Leeds.
posted on 10/9/20
33m for this seasons Che Adams
posted on 10/9/20
Watkins is probably a better signing than Rodrigo given the age gap and goals form. Still, both signings we're ridiculously expensive.
posted on 10/9/20
We may even get in Rashica still. That would be a real marquee signing for us. Benrahma is also still on the radar. Imagine a front 3 of Watkins, Rashica and Brewster😁
posted on 10/9/20
Rodrigo never played up front for Valencia, he played out wide and was top in assists for them, his goal record for Spain is good. He's an established player, in his prime. How can Watkins possibly be a better signing??
posted on 10/9/20
So he's a winger. And that tells me Bamford will start up front for you.
Watkins is miles better than Bamford let's be honest.
posted on 10/9/20
comment by Bumble (U6465)
posted 25 minutes ago
We may even get in Rashica still. That would be a real marquee signing for us. Benrahma is also still on the radar. Imagine a front 3 of Watkins, Rashica and Brewster😁
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not sure if that was a typo but Watkins, Rashica and Benrahma would be decent (as long as Benrahma and Watkins step up). No thanks to Brewster.
posted on 10/9/20
Bamford played up front for the league winners and was key to our style and formation, I would swap him for Watkins as they are totally different players. Rodrigo can play up front, as he does for Spain, so might be our no 9 as well.
posted on 10/9/20
wouldn't *