I think the idea that Diatta is not what we need right now is really not true. He solves several problems at once: 1) He gives us a specialist right sided winger who, quite crucially, is clearly decent defensively/off the ball, which we have sorely lacked this season. 2) He is able to play in any position down the right hand side and, amazingly, can cover both positions where two of our main options - Baah and Ngakia - struggle for availability. 3) He gives Dionisi the flexibility to play with wing backs if he decides that a 3 at the back system is needed to make us tougher to beat, which may be required at times. 4) He is friends with and has trained extensively with Myron Boadu at Monaco and so offers a ready-made partnership with our new striker.

Why is everyone so jaded? No one seems able to get excited by signings anymore. Both Boadu and Diatta have amazing pedigree and an existing relationship. It feels like people would have been more excited by dull, British "Championship-ready," signings like Billy Mitchell, Ryan Hedges or Josh Maja. Pessimistic based on a complete bias that somehow being trained in Britain and having played games in the Championship has some mythical value.

Thanks gents and special thanks to Adam for his excellent coverage at the WO.

This is such good content. Thank you guys. Such a human perspective

I think there are only 2-4 genuine central midfiled options in the free agent market at the moment from my research.

The only one I can see that would actually address the need we have and raise the floor of our midfield and be able to partner both Bove or Kyprianou is Adrien Tameze, formerly of Torino. Would obviously be someone the Pozzo network are well aware of. We scouted him as a potential Doucoure replacement back in 2019 as well. 32. Experienced. Has also been used as a RCB in a back 3, which may also be useful. Wages within our reach too. The only player left that ticks all boxes, for me.

Other names simply don't fit in the same way. A sensational return by Doucoure who remains unattached. But he'd have to willing to take a massive pay cut, be sure he wants to play in England and thinking that the familiarity of Watford holds some value. Obviously would be amazing but still doesn't feel likely.

Then you are onto makeshift options like Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro, formerly of Verona. Combative. Probably good fun. But, at 34, more of a sticking plaster.

Then there's Benni Beningime, formerly of Hearts, who could be a reasonable addition on a free. Pretty decent under pressure. Did pretty well for Hearts last season.

Other than that, there aren't any other feasible options as far as I can see.

Man City won £3.6m prize money for the cup final win and we won £1.8m - let’s at least have that.

If we was awarded the Cup,we could claim prize money,and also compo for not entering Europe lol. Many clubs would be suing City for Compensation. The talk of them being relegated to the Championship is Barmy. They should be relegated to Div 2. Rangers in scotland were demoted to the lower leagues,but for slightly different reasons.

Being handed a trophy now would mean absolutely nothing to me. In fact, that might well diminish the day we do finally win it.  Our finest moment, forever tarnished with  “And Watford win the FA Cup for the first time… at least for the first time ON the pitch!” Followed by an hour long conversation of the rights and wrongs of City and the decision to award trophies to other clubs.

It’s bad enough fans feel they have been potentially cheated out of moments in the past, please don’t rob us of ‘first’ moments in the future too!

It is widely known that the top 20 in the Tour de France were cheating so it's not like Lance's medals could go to second place anyway. The Olympics does transfer the ownership of the medal.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Do miss the old WD18

Bored with all this. Many fans struggling to get to The Vic let alone watching prospective players at The World Cup 😂😅