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Do Watford need to bring in new signings when the emergency loan window reopens tomorrow?

5:59pm Monday 8th February 2010


Watford extended the loan signings of Arsenal’s Henri Lansbury and QPR’s Heidar Helguson at the beginning of the January transfer window and secured the permanent signatures of three other players before it closed last Monday.

The Hornets wage bill is still too large for the Championship and last month the club also managed to temporarily reduce it by loaning out the likes of Nathan Ellington, Mat Sadler and Scott Severin.

The arrival of Martin Taylor on a free transfer from Birmingham and the signings of youngsters Will Buckley and Stephen McGinn from Rochdale and St Mirren have boosted the Watford squad for the second half of the season.

But with one win in nine matches, is the Hornets’ squad good enough to avoid the relegation scrap which the club found themselves embroiled in last season or do they need to bring in more players when the emergency loan window reopens tomorrow?

When asked last week whether fans can expect any new arrivals when the window opens, Watford boss Malky Mackay replied: “I would probably say that will be it. But I am not going to commit to saying no. Unless something comes up and I think we can do something that doesn't cost too much, then you never know.

“But my immediate thoughts are we done great business in this transfer window in terms of the players we got and the balance of the squad.

“You are always on the look out for good players and if you can get them then you get them but the team spirit in the group here is second to none at the moment.”

But what do you think? Were you pleased with the business done in January? Do Watford have the squad required to stay out of the relegation scrap and possibly challenge for the playoffs or do they desperately need new arrivals to avoid the drop?

We want to know what you the supporters think. Vote for the answer which best reflects your views and, if you wish, explain your decision below.

Your Vote

How pleased are you with Watford's business in the January transfer window and do the club need to bring in any more signings now the loan window is set to reopen?

Disappointed with January signings and the club desperately need to bring in players during loan window:
Blue bar used for ballot results 0%

Disappointed with arrivals in January but current squad is good enough to survive relegation this season:
Yellow bar used for ballot results 2%

Pleased with signings in January but would like to see more players arrive in loan window if possible:
Purple bar used for ballot results 53%

Delighted with arrivals in January and do not need any more additions this season to avoid relegation:
Green bar used for ballot results 45%



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Your Say YourWatford

a1derek, St Albans says...
6:09pm Mon 8 Feb 10

Have we got some new poll software to play with then??

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WFC4ever, Watford says...
6:44pm Mon 8 Feb 10

Don't need more players for the sake of it although maybe be useful for a short-term fix if we suffered a spate of injuries.

Trouble is if you too many then that team relies on them and when they aren't around your performances dip as we saw without Cleverley on Saturday.

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onlyonerodthomas, st albans says...
9:05pm Mon 8 Feb 10

on a different note lets hope the groundsman does'nt forget to switch on the undersoil heating tonight!!!!

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parishorn, says...
9:26pm Mon 8 Feb 10

Good signings in. One or two out would be good. What a result at Anfield!

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yellowredblack, London says...
10:33pm Mon 8 Feb 10

Right now i'd say leave it as it is. Injuries and suspensions may expose a few areas (central defence) but on the whole there is more onus to ship out than worry about people coming in. Give up on any up or down drama this year and be pleased we are not swimming naked like Cardiff and Forest with their illusion of sensible punts at promotion.

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Chris the Vic, The Vic says...
6:25am Tue 9 Feb 10

Another striker would be wonderful but do we have the resources to pay the wages.

How many teams in the championship rely on a teenager and a has been for their strike force?

But Malky has done well depite losing so many at the start of the season, we need home wins badly so get behind the team tonight

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BigDaveH, Bicester says...
7:55am Tue 9 Feb 10

Even loan players hit the salary costs (usually), so although it would be great to have more cover, we have shown in some of our performances this season that we can be top ten, so I would stay with the current squad and not risk more financial issues. Five more wins see us safe, and I have no illusions that safety is the target rather than a play off place. That really would be icing on the cake!!

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stuperman, london nw10 says...
8:16am Tue 9 Feb 10

Have to reserve judgment until I've seen these guys play.
Freezing cold night ahead and I'm going to watch Ross Jenkins play football. Wife wants me committed.

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worthing_hornet, worthing says...
8:16am Tue 9 Feb 10

We are praising the youth squad for beating Liverpool (and quite rightly) but how quick would people be to criticise if MM was to draft one into the first team ,and he didn't play well. You canot play a full youth team, and certain key positions need an experienced head for sure, but for the next few years we are not going to be spending millions on players (and if they are as good as the duke, neither should we) so why pay money for someone else's youth players, when our own are just as good? Here's hoping our good home form continues tongiht.

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davidjohnbarnard, Cheshunt says...
8:31am Tue 9 Feb 10

I think if you compare the costs of a loanee to our position in the league then we are OK at the moment. It would be different if we were a lot nearer the bottom of the league but given our mid table position not an urgent issue - just get TC fit for tonight!

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tonyellow, Radlett says...
8:58am Tue 9 Feb 10

If we don't have the money we can not buy players or pay for loan players.

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Mike C. Poole Dorset, Poole says...
9:14am Tue 9 Feb 10

What is the point of signing more
players, if we never play them?

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stevyweavy, Watford says...
9:58am Tue 9 Feb 10

Only worth while if we can bring in a stiker that is going to guarantee more than we have now. Nobody seems to be around that fits the bill within our wage structure - Beattie dream on all you who suggested him. If things get worse then that's the time to panic. At the moment we are comfortable mid-table so stay as we are and trust in the fact that we have the current ability to provide strong performances if all the players play their part.

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SimonW, Godalming, says...
11:34am Tue 9 Feb 10

not being negative here, just realistic - we are not "comfortable mid-table", we are 6 points off the bottom 3 (with Reading at home to Plymouth tonight that could well be down to 3).
We have had 1 win in 10, cannot score let alone win away & are now totally reliant on picking up points at home, this is a dangerous trend & if it continues we will soon be in the bottom 3, like I said, not being negative - these are facts!!
It is obvious we need better players but equally obvious we cannot afford any.

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eltonsarmy, vegas says...
11:49am Tue 9 Feb 10

Is this mail a Michael Jones idea to feedback to sir Graham!

If they cant see we need a striker with pace then I give up, West Ham have a 18 year old lad that has pace and skill to burn, they go on sky asking for clubs to take him for experiance and within hours he is at WBA.

So ok yes WBA going well but we are on the door step for god sake and with our track record with the top young kids from the big boys we would be a perfect move for him!

Shame I say

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Comments are closed on this article.

Experienced centre back Martin Taylor seems to have filled one big gap in the Watford squad but are new arrivals desperately needed in the emergency loan window? Picture: Action Images Experienced centre back Martin Taylor seems to have filled one big gap in the Watford squad but are new arrivals desperately needed in the emergency loan window? Picture: Action Images


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